Lehner Family Foundation
The Lehner Family Foundation is a private foundation established in 1989 and based in Akron, Ohio. It operates as a 501(c)(3) organization with no employees and functions as a family foundation focused on philanthropic giving to the local community and beyond.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$12.0M
-1.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.2M
+21.2% YoY
Grant Count
96
+3.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$12K
+17.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Lehner Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $889K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's primary giving focuses on:
- The Arts — including support for art museums and cultural institutions
- Human Services — funding vital mentoring programs, emergency shelter upgrades, and community support services
- Roman Catholic Agencies and Churches — supporting Catholic organizations and religious institutions
- Animal Welfare — including zoological parks and animal shelters
- Healthcare — medical facilities and health-related initiatives
- Education — including private schools and educational programs
The foundation also funds unrestricted operations, virtual education sessions, marketing initiatives, veterans legal projects, and capital campaigns for qualified organizations.
Grantmaking
The foundation supports capital campaigns, operational funding, strategic planning, and specialized initiatives across its focus areas.
Grant Range
approximately $12,000
Average Grant
approximately $12,000
Grant Types
Ready to take the next step with Lehner Family Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Ohio, with particular emphasis on the Akron area and Summit County region.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year 2023:
- Total Assets: $12,225,181
- Total Revenues: $970,496
- Total Expenses: $1,313,782
- Investment Income and Dividends: $369,820
As of Fiscal Year 2022:
- Investment Income and Dividends: $240,198
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $12,024,926 | $12,225,181 | $12,568,467 |
| Revenue | $1,304,175 | $970,496 | $225,708 |
| Expenses | $1,504,430 | $1,313,782 | $1,402,097 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,254,830 | $1,044,832 | $1,203,395 |
| Net Investment Income | $189,081 | $240,430 | $103,002 |
| Distributable Amount | $888,791 | $834,297 | $866,105 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Akron Zoological Park ($150,000), Akron Art Museum ($140,000), Akron History Center ($40,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ACCESS INC AKRON, OH | CONFERENCE ROOM FURNITURE | $15,000 |
| AKRON 200 INC AKRON, OH | BICENTENNIAL FESTIVITIES | $5,000 |
| AKRON AREA YMCA AKRON, OH | EARLY CARE & EDUCATION CENTERS | $10,000 |
| AKRON ART MUSEUM AKRON, OH | AUCTION & EXHIBITION FUNDING | $10,000 |
| AKRON ART MUSEUM AKRON, OH | CENTENNIAL | $140,000 |
| AKRON BAR ASSOCIATION AKRON, OH | DONATION | $300 |
| AKRON CANTON FOOD BANK AKRON, OH | DIRECT DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM | $15,000 |
| AKRON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL WARREN, OH | BODY WORN | $20,000 |
| AKRON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL WARREN, OH | IN MEMORY | $1,000 |
| AKRON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL WARREN, OH | WATER TAB | $5,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- David M. Koly — Manager
- Brennan Manna Diamond Richard Burke — Manager
The foundation was established through the generosity of Jane Lehner and her brother Charles Lehner, founders of Lehner Screw Machine Company. Jane Lehner (1921-2007) was the owner and president of the company and played a key role in establishing the foundation's philanthropic mission.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BRENNAN MANNA DIAMOND | MANAGER | 5 | $9,500 |
| DAVID M KOLY | MANAGER | 5 | $38,000 |
| RICK BURKE | MANAGER | 5 | $28,500 |
Contact Information
- Address: PO Box 6599, Akron, OH 44312-0599
- Phone: 330-571-0571
- EIN: 34-6927210
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Lehner Family Foundation fund?
The foundation's primary giving focuses on: • **The Arts** — including support for art museums and cultural institutions • **Human Services** — funding vital mentoring programs, emergency shelter upgrades, and community support services • **Roman Catholic Agencies and Churches** — supporting Catholic organizations and religious institutions • **Animal Welfare** — including zoological parks and animal shelters • **Healthcare** — medical facilities and health-related initiatives • **Education** —…
How do I apply for a grant from Lehner Family Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Made 80 grants in 2023 • Average grant size: approximately $12,000 • Median grant size: $5,000 • Total giving in recent years: approximately $1.1 million **Recent Grant Examples (2023):** • Akron Art Museum: $60,000 (Auction & Exhibition Funding) • Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens: $50,000 (Strategic Plan & Operational Funding) • Humane Society of Summit County: $50,000 (Capital Campaign) • Summa Health: $125,000 (West Tower project) **Grant Types:** The foundation supports cap…
Where does Lehner Family Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Ohio, with particular emphasis on the Akron area and Summit County region.
What size grants does Lehner Family Foundation award?
In 2024, Lehner Family Foundation awarded 96 grants totaling $1.2M — an average of about $12K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Lehner Family Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Lehner Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $889K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Lehner Family Foundation's EIN?
Lehner Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 34-6927210. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Lehner Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Cooper Tire Foundation Inc
AKRON, OH
Assets
$71K
Grants
2
Total Given
$67K
Auburn Education Foundation
CONCORD TOWNSHIP, OH
Assets
$352K
Grants
2
Total Given
$214K
Galpin-white Ta
BROOKLYN, OH
Assets
$16K
Grants
1
Total Given
$887
The Cleveland Superior Arts
CLEVELAND, OH
Assets
$5K
Grants
1
Total Given
$251K
Mary E H Rutter Tr Para 28
BROOKLYN, OH
Assets
$401K
Grants
1
Total Given
$26K
Carrie Peska Memorial Scholarship Fund
ANDOVER, OH
Assets
$19K
Grants
1
Total Given
$4K
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Lehner Family Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching Lehner Family Foundation to a real strategy.