Lexington Observer Inc
The Lexington Observer is a hyperlocal, digital-first, nonprofit news site covering issues that matter most to people in lexington, including local government, education, economy, environment and culture. The mission of the organization is to increase understanding and participation in lexington Massachusetts through local, community journalism.
Lexington Observer Inc at a glance
In short: Lexington Observer Inc gave $812K across 9 grants in 2024 (avg $90K), top state Minnesota. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $812,000
- +441.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 9
- +350.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $90,222
- +20.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $75,000
- Total assets
- $175,806
- -84.6% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Minnesota (45% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Lexington Observer Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 7 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Creative Communications ($288K). Together the top 7 received $812K.
Grant Size Distribution
11 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $50–100K range: 8 grants of 11 (73%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 9 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2023 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $150K (2023) to $812K (2024). In 2024 it made 9 grants totaling $812K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Creative Communications Saint Paul, MN | Media Support | $288,000 |
| States Newsroom Chapel Hill, NC | Media Support | $100,000 |
| Nevada News Bureau Inc Las Vegas, NV | Media Support | $75,000 |
| Searchlight New Mexico News Santa Fe, NM | Media Support | $75,000 |
| The Center for Michigan Inc Detroit, MI | Media Support | $75,000 |
| The Center for Michigan Inc Detroit, MI | Media Support | $75,000 |
| Arizona Center of Investigative Rep Phoenix, AZ | Media Support | $50,000 |
| Creative Communication Saint Paul, MN | Media Support | $50,000 |
| Creative Communication Saint Paul, MN | Media Support | $24,000 |
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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 | $175,806 | $4,040,925 | $4,979,798 | $812,000 | 9 | $12,891 |
| 2023 | $1,142,953 | $1,737,014 | $640,394 | $150,000 | 2 | $1 |
About Lexington Observer Inc
Based on IRS filings
Lexington Observer Inc is a public charity focused on Arts, Culture & Humanities, based in Lexington, MA. IRS filing data is available from 2023 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $176K in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 9 grants totaling $812K. Net investment income was $13K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Lexington Observer Inc is led by Nicholas Mele, Chair on every filing since 2023; 1 of 5 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Nicholas Mele
Chair
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
$224K (2024)
Craig Sandler
Director
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth Hansen
Director
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cameron Hickey
Secretary
On filings since 2023
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nagarjuna Venna
Treasurer
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2023–2024. "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 $224K, to Nicholas Mele (Chair).
Frequently asked questions about Lexington Observer Inc
How much does Lexington Observer Inc give each year?
Lexington Observer Inc gave $812K across 9 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $150K across 2 grants.
What is Lexington Observer Inc's typical grant size?
Lexington Observer Inc's median grant in 2024 was $75,000, and its average grant was $90,222, across 9 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Lexington Observer Inc give grants?
Lexington Observer Inc's top state is Minnesota, with 45% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Michigan (18%) and North Carolina (12%). The most frequent recipient cities were Saint Paul, MN (3 grants) and Detroit, MI (2 grants).
Does Lexington Observer Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 9 grants with a stated purpose on Lexington Observer Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Media Support" (9 grants).
Who are Lexington Observer Inc's largest grantees?
Lexington Observer Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Creative Communications ($288,000), The Center for Michigan Inc ($150,000 across 2 grants) and States Newsroom ($100,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 66% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Lexington Observer Inc?
Lexington Observer Inc reported $176K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $4.0M.
What is Lexington Observer Inc?
Lexington Observer Inc is a public charity focused on Arts, Culture & Humanities, based in Lexington, MA. It holds $176K in total assets as of 2024.
What is Lexington Observer Inc's EIN?
Lexington Observer Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 87-4640985. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2023–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2023–2024
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Browse active grant opportunities in Lexington Observer Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Lexington Observer Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?