Lester & Frances Johnson Foundation Inc

EDWARDSVILLE, IL EIN: 39-1988285

Lester & Frances Johnson Foundation Inc is a private independent foundation based in Edwardsville, Illinois. Established in 2000 and designated as a 501(c)(3) organization, the foundation operates as a family foundation with a focus on philanthropic grantmaking.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

Annual Giving

$287K

+11.7% YoY

Grant Count

25

+8.7% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$11K

+2.7% YoY

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The foundation's giving priorities include:

  • Lutheran churches and other Christian organizations
  • Social services
  • Education
  • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
  • Human Services

The foundation primarily supports organizations in Wisconsin, Missouri, and Illinois.

Grantmaking

The foundation does not currently list active grant opportunities.

Grant Range

$15,300

Average Grant

$15,300

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation's grantmaking focuses primarily on:

  • Wisconsin
  • Missouri
  • Illinois

Grant Distribution by State

7states

Cities

APPLETONBLACK EARTHBRIDGETONCHICAGODOWNERS GROVEEAST ST LOUISEDWARDSVILLEELROYEVANSTONHARTFORDHIGHLANDSLONG ISLAND CITYMADISONMIDDLETONMISSIONMUNCIENAPERVILLEPLATTEVILLESAINT LOUISST CHARLES

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Financial Position (2024):

  • Total assets: $4,911,073
  • Total giving: $287,000
  • Annual revenue: $79,400
  • Total liabilities: $0
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$0.275$0.55$0.8250000000000001$1.1201920202021202220232024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
Distributable Amount

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$94K$188K$281K$375K13 grants201911 grants202015 grants202119 grants202223 grants202325 grants2024

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

THE RIVER FOOD PANTRY$60KTIMOTHY'S MINISTRY$40KGLEN-ED PANTRY$20KCOURAGE CONNECTION$15KEASTERN ILLINOIS FOOD BANK$15KHEALTH BY ALL MEANS$15KMUNCIE CRIME STOPPERS$15KTENTH LIFE CAT RESCUE$15KFOSTER & ADOPTIVE CARE C…$10KGIO'S GARDEN$10K

Grant Size Distribution

93 grants across all recorded years

86<$50K4$50–100K3$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include The River Food Pantry ($60,000), Timothy's Ministry ($40,000), Glen-ed Pantry ($20,000).

RecipientPurposeAmount
AGAPE RANCH VERONA, WISERVICES FOR FOSTER CHILDREN$3,000
ANIMAL RESCUE CORPS WASHINGTON DC, DCANIMAL RESCUE$5,000
ASPCA WASHINGTON DC, DCANIMAL RESCUE$5,000
BLACK EARTH HISTORICAL SOCIETY BLACK EARTH, WISUMMER PROGRAM$3,000
CITY SEWING ROOM ST LOUIS, MOGENERAL OPERATIONS$5,000
COURAGE CONNECTION URBANA, ILFOR SUPPORT OF WOMEN IN CRISIS$15,000
EASTERN ILLINOIS FOOD BANK URBANA, ILFOOD BANK$15,000
EVANSTON ANIMAL SHELTER EVANSTON, ILANIMAL SHELTER$8,000
FOSTER & ADOPTIVE CARE COALITION ST LOUIS, MOSOCIAL SERVICES$10,000
GATEWAY PET GUARDIANS EAST ST LOUIS, ILANIMAL SHELTER$5,000

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

Key personnel include:

  • Graham L Johnson — President
  • Kyle P Johnson — Vice President
  • Erik S Johnson — Secretary

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

From 2024 filing

NameTitleHoursCompensation
GRAHAM L JOHNSONPRESIDENT1
ERIK S JOHNSONSECRETARY0.5
KYLE P JOHNSONVICE PRESIDENT0.5
COURTNEY MCCARTHYTREASURER0.5
ANN MEYERDIRECTOR0.5

Contact Information

Address: PO Box 467, Edwardsville, IL 62025-0467

Phone: 608-241-9516

EIN: 39-1988285

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Lester & Frances Johnson Foundation Inc fund?

The foundation's giving priorities include: • Lutheran churches and other Christian organizations • Social services • Education • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking • Human Services The foundation primarily supports organizations in Wisconsin, Missouri, and Illinois.

How do I apply for a grant from Lester & Frances Johnson Foundation Inc?

**Grant Activity:** • Total giving: $287,000–$290,000 (most recent fiscal year) • Number of grants: 19 • Average grant size: $15,300 • Median grant size: $10,000 • Typical award range: $1,000–$80,000 The foundation does not currently list active grant opportunities.

Where does Lester & Frances Johnson Foundation Inc make grants?

The foundation's grantmaking focuses primarily on: • Wisconsin • Missouri • Illinois

What size grants does Lester & Frances Johnson Foundation Inc award?

In 2024, Lester & Frances Johnson Foundation Inc awarded 25 grants totaling $287K — an average of about $11K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

What is Lester & Frances Johnson Foundation Inc's EIN?

Lester & Frances Johnson Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 39-1988285. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.

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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.

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