Lena Foundation
LENA Foundation is a public charity based in Louisville, Colorado. Formed in 2008, it works to transform children’s futures through early-talk technology and data-driven programs, and its core technology measures talk with children. LENA says it combines revenue from products and services with philanthropic funding.
Lena Foundation at a glance
In short: Lena Foundation gave $505K across 9 grants in 2024 (avg $56K), mostly in Indiana. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $505,029
- +4.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 9
- -40.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $56,114
- +74.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $18,500
- Total assets
- $9,898,000
- -16.3% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Indiana (73% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Lena Foundation
- Contact
Mailing address: 361 Centennial Parkway 100, Louisville, CO 80027
Phone: (303) 441-9010
Website: https://lena.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Lena Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 9 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Early Learning Indiana ($369K). Together the top 9 received $505K.
Grant Size Distribution
94 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 82 grants of 94 (87%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The listed 2023 grantees were based in Greenville, South Carolina; New York, New York; Avon, Colorado; and Jacksonville, Florida. These examples show grantmaking in those locations but do not establish a broader geographic focus.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 9 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Lena Foundation gives
- Giving fell 27% from 2021 to 2024. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 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 $314K (2022) to $893K (2020). In 2024 it made 9 grants totaling $505K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Early Learning Indiana Indianapolis, IN | Eli Lily Foundation Grant | $369,188 |
| Whedco Bronx, NY | Viking Global Foundation Grant | $28,000 |
| Space Kids Academy Brighton, CO | Klingenstein Grant | $19,407 |
| Cornerstone Church Brookhaven, MS | Community Foundation | $18,665 |
| Global Connection Learning Center Jackson, MS | Community Foundation | $18,500 |
| Connect Care Gypsum, CO | Klingenstein Grant | $17,600 |
| Catholic Charities of Denver Denver, CO | Daniels Fund Grant | $15,061 |
| Wild Plum Center Longmont, CO | Klingenstein Grant | $12,800 |
| Grand Street Settlement New York, NY | Viking Global Foundation Grant | $5,808 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $9,898,000 | $6,281,048 | $10,319,197 | $505,029 | 9 | $380,984 |
| 2023 | $11,830,899 | $13,123,770 | $9,458,644 | $481,455 | 15 | $291,586 |
| 2022 | $8,230,784 | $8,619,527 | $8,569,600 | $313,610 | 18 | $-1,110 |
| 2021 | $6,954,124 | $11,160,800 | $8,141,007 | $690,626 | 24 | $-12,305 |
| 2020 | $5,488,352 | $5,677,778 | $8,129,899 | $893,209 | 28 | $-1,367 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
LENA Foundation’s stated mission is to transform children’s futures through early-talk technology and data-driven programs. Its website describes work focused on adult-child interactions and early childhood outcomes, including through LENA Grow and LENA SP.
The 2023 grantees listed include organizations whose own missions address young children and early childhood services. The Institute for Child Success describes itself as a research and policy organization dedicated to the success of all young children. Early Childhood Partners says it supports families and early learning environments so every child can thrive. Grand Street Settlement describes programs for low-income families and individuals, including early childhood and youth development. Episcopal Children’s Services says it provides early childhood education and holistic family support to help communities rise above generational poverty.
Grantmaking
LENA Foundation reported 15 grants totaling $481,455 in 2023. The average grant that year was approximately $32,097. It reported 18 grants totaling $313,610 in 2022 and no grants in 2024. Its 2024 filing, the latest on this page, reports 9 grants totaling $505,029.
Examples of 2023 grants include $80,000 to the Institute for Child Success, $30,000 to Grand Street Settlement, $11,003 to Early Childhood Partners, and $10,000 to Episcopal Children’s Services. These examples are not the full list of grants.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Judith A. Paul as chairman and Alexander F. Paul as secretary/treasurer. Stephen M. Hannon, Ph.D., is listed as president and CEO; Carole Brite as chief financial officer; and Sahar Bou-Ghazale Toukmaji as head of technology innovation. Directors listed are Donald E. Bossi, Ashley Mathis, Lee Marshall, and Carly Roberts. Vince Swartout is listed as chief information and operations officer.
Lena Foundation is led by Stephen M. Hannon PhD, President & CEO since 2022 (on filings since 2020); 9 of 13 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Stephen M. Hannon PhD
President & CEO
President → President & CEO, 2022
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$194K (2020) → $261K (2024)
Judith A. Paul
Chairman
On filings since 2020
32 hrs/week
$15K (2020) → $22K (2024)
Jodi Whiteman
Director, Partnerships & Growth
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$162K (2023) → $181K (2024)
Carly Roberts
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lee Marshall
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ashley Mathis
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Donald E. Bossi
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alexander F. Paul
Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
32 hrs/week
$11K (2020) → $13K (2024)
Vince Swartout
Chief Information & Operations Officer
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$175K (2020) → $183K (2024)
Katharine Correll
Vice President of Impact
Principal & Philanthropy Partnerships → Vice President of Impact, 2023
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$128K (2021) → $171K (2024)
Carole Brite
Chief Financial Officer
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$150K (2022) → $161K (2024)
Sahar Bou-Ghazale Toukmaji
Head of Technology Innovatation
Head of Technology Innovation → Head of Technology Innovatation, 2023
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$230K (2022) → $242K (2024)
Maria Rocio O'Keefe
Vice President of Growth
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$209K (2024)
Former officers (7)
- Former: Christine A. Monfort (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Jill Gilkerson PhD (2020–2023) — Chief Research & Evaluation Officer
- Former: Steven F. Warren (2020–2023) — Former Director
- Former: Jessica Simmons (2020–2022) — Chief Growth Officer
- Former: Christopher Marks (2020–2021) — Technical Architect & Senior Program Director
- Former: Deborah Owens (2020) — Controller
- Former: James May (2020) — Website Developer
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $261K, to Stephen M Hannon PHD (President and CEO). 9 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Lena Foundation
How much does Lena Foundation give each year?
Lena Foundation gave $505K across 9 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $481K across 15 grants.
What is Lena Foundation's typical grant size?
Lena Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $18,500, and its average grant was $56,114, across 9 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Lena Foundation give grants?
Lena Foundation gives mostly in Indiana: 73% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were Colorado (13%) and Mississippi (7%).
Does Lena Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 9 grants with a stated purpose on Lena Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Klingenstein Grant" (3 grants).
Who are Lena Foundation's largest grantees?
Lena Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Early Learning Indiana ($369,188), Whedco ($28,000) and Space Kids Academy ($19,407), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 82% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Lena Foundation?
Lena Foundation reported $9.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $6.3M.
What does Lena Foundation fund?
LENA Foundation’s stated mission is to transform children’s futures through early-talk technology and data-driven programs. Its website describes work focused on adult-child interactions and early childhood outcomes, including through LENA Grow and LENA SP. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Lena Foundation?
Lena Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check lena.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Lena Foundation's EIN?
Lena Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-3784465. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 10, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 31, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS June 16, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS March 20, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 3, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Browse active grant opportunities in Lena Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Lena Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Lena Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?