Lee Foundation
Lee Foundation is a private foundation, based in Los Angeles, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $1.4M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 5 grants totaling $95K. Net investment income was $6K.
Lee Foundation at a glance
In short: Lee Foundation gave $95K across 5 grants in 2024 (avg $19K), mostly in California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $95,000
- -57.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 5
- -44.4% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $19,000
- -23.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $20,000
- Total assets
- $1,447,850
- +11.1% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- California (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Lee Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was The J Paul Getty Trust ($25K). Together the top 5 received $95K.
Grant Size Distribution
32 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 27 grants of 32 (84%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 5 itemized grants.
Cities
How Lee Foundation gives
- Giving fell 71% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 150% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $95K (2024) to $387K (2022). In 2024 it made 5 grants totaling $95K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The J Paul Getty Trust Los Angeles, CA | To Support the General Fund. | $25,000 |
| Fu-JEN University Foundation Glendale, CA | To Support the General Fund. | $25,000 |
| Caltech Pasadena, CA | To Support the General Fund. | $20,000 |
| Door of Hope Pasadena, CA | To Support the General Fund. | $20,000 |
| Harbor Day Endowment Corporation Corona Del Mar, CA | To Support the General Fund. | $5,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $1,447,850 | $-80,563 | $105,275 | $95,000 | 5 | $98,775 | $5,537 | $65,724 |
| 2023 | $1,302,739 | $30,394 | $235,224 | $223,000 | 9 | $226,650 | $23,425 | $70,427 |
| 2022 | $1,386,875 | $344,784 | $404,024 | $387,150 | 8 | $391,429 | $136,702 | $80,178 |
| 2021 | $2,049,176 | $190,810 | $336,725 | $327,000 | 5 | $329,526 | $186,105 | $96,421 |
| 2020 | $1,965,757 | $208,920 | $159,272 | $140,000 | 5 | — | $199,141 | $84,882 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Lee Foundation reported a distributable amount of $66K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Lee Foundation is led by Ellen W. Lee, Director & President on every filing since 2020; none of the 5 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Ellen W. Lee
Director & President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Benjamin K. Lee
Director & Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bonnie A. Lee
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David L. Lee
Director, Treasurer & CFO
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rachel R. Lee
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Lee Foundation
How much does Lee Foundation give each year?
Lee Foundation gave $95K across 5 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $223K across 9 grants.
What is Lee Foundation's typical grant size?
Lee Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $20,000, and its average grant was $19,000, across 5 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Lee Foundation give grants?
Lee Foundation gives mostly in California: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Pasadena, CA (2 grants).
Does Lee Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Lee Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (5 of 5) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Lee Foundation's largest grantees?
Lee Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include The J Paul Getty Trust ($25,000), Fu-JEN University Foundation ($25,000) and Caltech ($20,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 74% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Lee Foundation?
Lee Foundation reported $1.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $99K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $66K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is Lee Foundation's EIN?
Lee Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 74-3235054. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Lee Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Lee Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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