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.
Key facts about Lehner Family Foundation
- EIN
- 34-6927210
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,198,450
- Grants made (2024)
- 96
- Average grant
- $12,484
- Median grant
- $5,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 15% first-time grantees (13 of 85, 2024)
- Total assets
- $12,024,926
- Primary geography
- Ohio (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Who Lehner Family Foundation funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Lehner Family Foundation's 96 itemized 2024 grants were Ohio (100%). The most frequent recipient cities were Akron, OH (69 grants), Cleveland, OH (5 grants), Fairlawn, OH (3 grants) and Warren, OH (3 grants). 3% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Donation" (7 grants).
Is Lehner Family Foundation open to new grantees?
15%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 13 of 85 grantees (15%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $10K; repeat grants $15K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $5K repeat.
- 74% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+1%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 141% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Next steps with Lehner Family Foundation
- How to evaluate Lehner Family Foundation as a funder
Our grant prospecting guide: read the 990-PF, check fit, and decide whether to apply.
- Draft an LOI to Lehner Family Foundation with AI
AI grant writing that drafts from your organization’s own materials, in your voice.
- Track this opportunity in a free grant tracker
A free Google Sheets or Excel template for deadlines, award terms, and reports due.
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
Share of all 96 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
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 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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
446 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Akron Zoological Park ($170,000 across 2 grants), Akron Art Museum ($150,000 across 2 grants), Summa Health ($125,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AKRON ZOOLOGICAL PARK Akron, OH | NEW HEIGHTS | $150,000 |
| AKRON ART MUSEUM Akron, OH | CENTENNIAL | $140,000 |
| SUMMA HEALTH Akron, OH | SUMMA HEALTH WEST TOWER | $125,000 |
| AKRON HISTORY CENTER Akron, OH | THE RUBBER CAPITAL OF THE WORLD | $40,000 |
| ROTARY CAMP FOR CHILDREN Akron, OH | 2024 REG... | $35,000 |
| STAN HYWET HALL & GARDENS Akron, OH | STRATEGIC PLAN & OPERATIONAL FUNDING | $30,000 |
| LOYOLA RETREAT HOUSE Clinton, OH | REPAIR AND RESTORATION | $25,000 |
| ST MARY URBAN EDUCATION INITIATIVE Akron, OH | EDUCATION ENDOWMENT FUND | $25,000 |
| STAN HYWET HALL & GARDENS Akron, OH | GALA GRANT | $25,000 |
| THE VILLAGE OF ST EDWARD Fairlawn, OH | SPIRITUAL C... | $25,000 |
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 IRS 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
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
L R Moffitt & L W Moffitt Foundation
Columbus, OH
Assets
—
Grants
52
Total Given
$72K
Mary S & David C Corbin Foundation
Fairlawn, OH
Assets
$18.6M
Grants
78
Total Given
$974K
Lloyd L & Louise K Smith Foundation
Columbus, OH
Assets
—
Grants
70
Total Given
$293K
Glenn R & Alice V Boggess Memorial
Columbus, OH
Assets
$1.9M
Grants
43
Total Given
$86K
Sisler McFawn Foundation PFDN
Brooklyn, OH
Assets
$14.3M
Grants
129
Total Given
$1.1M
Charles E and Mabel M Ritchie Memorial
Columbus, OH
Assets
$7.4M
Grants
78
Total Given
$364K
The Welty Family Foundation
Akron, OH
Assets
$9.4M
Grants
75
Total Given
$485K
Gar Foundation
Pittsburgh, PA
Assets
$152.8M
Grants
1
Total Given
$7.5M
W Paul Mills & Thora J Mills Memorial
Columbus, OH
Assets
—
Grants
47
Total Given
$61K
Akron Community Foundation
Akron, OH
Assets
$305.5M
Grants
335
Total Given
$14.7M
The Mary and Dr George L Demetros Charitable
Columbus, OH
Assets
$5.9M
Grants
31
Total Given
$312K
Kenneth L Calhoun Char Tr
Brooklyn, OH
Assets
$4.9M
Grants
54
Total Given
$315K
More Funders in Ohio
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.