Lesher Family Foundation
LFF'S MISSION IS TO EMPOWER PEOPLE TO TAKE AN ACTIVE ROLE IN POSITIVELY SHAPING WHERE AND HOW THEY LIVE. THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTS THE CREATION OF DYNAMIC, RESILIENT COMMUNITIES BY MAKING GRANTS AND INVESTMENTS IN FOUR FOCUS AREAS: ARTS AND CULTURE, EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND LAND STEWARDSHIP AND COMMUNITY REVITALIZATION. THROUGH ITS GRANTMAKING , THE FOUNDATION PROMOTES EDUCATIONAL ADVANCEMENT, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, ACCESS TO THE ARTS, ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION, AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF EQUITABLE, SUSTAINABLE PUBLIC RESOURCES. THE FOUNDATION'S GRANTMAKING IS FOCUSED IN FOUR PRIMARY AREAS:1. ARTS & CULTURE-INCREASING PUBLIC ACCESS TO THE ARTS, DEFENDING FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION, AND SUPPORTING DIVERSE AND HISTORICALLY MARGINALIZED STORYTELLERS.2. EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT-EXPANDING ACCESS TO HIGH-QUALITY, CULTURALLY ALIGNED CHILDCARE AND EARLY EDUCATION.3. HOUSING-PROMOTING AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND HOMEOWNERSHIP4. LAND STEWARDSHIP & COMMUNITY REVITALIZATION
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$40.4M
+5.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$523K
-20.1% YoY
Grant Count
3
-25.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$174K
+6.5% YoY
About Lesher Family Foundation
Based on IRS filings
Lesher Family Foundation is a nonprofit organization focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in ROCKPORT, ME. IRS filing data is available from 2022 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $40.4M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 3 grants totaling $523K. Net investment income was $4.5M.
Focus Areas
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $40,401,365 | $38,288,823 | $36,199,064 |
| Revenue | $4,915,797 | $-1,702,710 | $40,708,160 |
| Expenses | $1,721,744 | $1,064,655 | $1,252,150 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $4,542,796 | $-1,903,956 | $37,581 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 3 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
17 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Darrowby Farm Sanctuary ($400,000), Coastal Heritage Society ($100,000), Maine Media Workshops College ($22,500).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| MAINE MEDIA WORKSHOPS COLLEGE ROCKPORT, ME | SUPPORT GRANT | $22,500 |
| COASTAL HERITAGE SOCIETY SAVANNAH, GA | EDUCATIONAL GRANT | $100,000 |
| DARROWBY FARM SANCTUARY JEFFERSON, ME | SUPPORT GRANT | $400,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| J GRIFFIN LESHER | PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| JUSTIN LESHER | TREASURER AND INT EXECUTIV | 21 | — |
| LINDA LESHER | VICE PRESIDENT | 10 | — |
| NICHOLAS LESHER | SECRETARY/INTERIM DIRECTOR | 5 | $18,000 |
| MEREDITH K LESHER | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| RACHEL E LESHER | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| DOMINIC PEPPER | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $186,335 |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lesher Family Foundation?
Lesher Family Foundation is a nonprofit organization focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in ROCKPORT, ME. It holds $40.4M in total assets as of 2024.
How large is Lesher Family Foundation?
As of 2024, Lesher Family Foundation holds $40.4M in total assets with $4.9M in annual revenue. It awarded 3 grants totaling $523K in 2024.
Where does Lesher Family Foundation operate?
Lesher Family Foundation has awarded grants in Connecticut, District of Columbia, Georgia, Maine, New York, Oklahoma.
What size grants does Lesher Family Foundation award?
In 2024, Lesher Family Foundation awarded 3 grants totaling $523K — an average of about $174K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Lesher Family Foundation's EIN?
Lesher Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 87-1858339. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2022–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Lesher Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
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