Lessing Foundation
Lessing Foundation is a private foundation, based in NEW YORK, NY. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $186K in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 9 grants totaling $13K. Net investment income was $9K.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$186K
-11.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$13K
-26.3% YoY
Grant Count
9
+12.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$1K
-34.5% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Lessing Foundation reported a distributable amount of $9K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
About Lessing Foundation
Based on IRS filings
Lessing Foundation is a private foundation, based in NEW YORK, NY. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $186K in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 9 grants totaling $13K. Net investment income was $9K.
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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 | $185,910 | $209,085 | $217,870 |
| Revenue | $-9,136 | $10,130 | $18,358 |
| Expenses | $14,148 | $18,660 | $9,540 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $12,665 | $17,120 | $8,530 |
| Net Investment Income | $9,461 | $10,130 | $18,358 |
| Distributable Amount | $8,773 | $8,513 | $10,000 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 9 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
25 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include American Friends of the Israel Museum ($8,800), Leo Baeck Institute ($2,000), American Friends of Tel Aviv University ($1,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY NEW YORK, NY | TO HELP WITH THE CHARITIES MAIN PURPOSE | $1,000 |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF THE ISRAEL MUSEUM NEW YORK, NY | TO HELP WITH THE CHARITY'S MAIN PURPOSE | $8,800 |
| DOROT NEW YORK, NY | TO HELP WITH THE CHARITIES MAIN PURPOSE | $115 |
| ISRAEL 21C SAN FRANCISCO, CA | TO HELP WITH THE CHARITIES MAIN PURPOSE | $250 |
| LEO BAECK INSTITUTE NEW YORK, NY | TO HELP WITH THE CHARITIES MAIN PURPOSE | $2,000 |
| UPPER EAST SIDE HATZOLAH NEW YORK, NY | TO HELP WITH THE CHARITIES MAIN PURPOSE | $100 |
| THE BLUE CARD INC NEW YORK, NY | TO HELP WITH THE CHARITIES MAIN PURPOSE | $100 |
| AMERICAN ALLIANCE OF MUSEUMS ARLINGTON, VA | TO HELP WITH CHARITIES CAUSE | $50 |
| ARTIS NEW YORK, NY | TO HELP WITH CHARITIES CAUSAE | $200 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOAN LESSING | PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
How large is Lessing Foundation?
As of 2024, Lessing Foundation holds $186K in total assets with $-9,136 in annual revenue. It awarded 9 grants totaling $13K in 2024.
Where does Lessing Foundation operate?
Lessing Foundation has awarded grants in California, Connecticut, New York, Virginia.
What size grants does Lessing Foundation award?
In 2024, Lessing Foundation awarded 9 grants totaling $13K — an average of about $1K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Lessing Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Lessing Foundation reported a distributable amount of $9K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Lessing Foundation's EIN?
Lessing Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-3092013. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Lessing 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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