Lithuanian Foundation Inc
Lithuanian Foundation, Inc. is a public charity based in Lemont, Illinois, that funds initiatives to preserve and foster Lithuanian culture and traditions in the United States, Lithuania, and Lithuanian communities worldwide. Founded in 1962, it reports awarding more than $30 million in grants and scholarships since its inception.
Lithuanian Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Lithuanian Foundation Inc gave $1.2M across 24 grants in 2024 (avg $48K), mostly in Illinois. 17% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,156,640
- -1.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 24
- -14.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $48,193
- +15.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $22,000
- Total assets
- $59,021,183
- +13.2% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 17% first-time grantees (4 of 24, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (67% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Lithuanian Foundation Inc
- Review Cycle
- The listed project-grant application period was July 1–September 1, 2026, and has passed. The website does not state a later project-grant deadline.
- Deadline
- The listed project-grant application period was July 1–September 1, 2026, and has passed.
- Contact
Mailing address: 14911 127Th Street, Lemont, IL 60439-7417
Phone: (630) 257-1616
Website: https://lithuanianfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from Lithuanian Foundation Inc
Donor-Designated Special Funds
Lithuanian Foundation Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Grants Program
Lithuanian Foundation Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Scholarships Program
Lithuanian Foundation Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Lithuanian Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Lithuanian American Community ($402K). Together the top 10 received $948K.
Grant Size Distribution
106 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 82 grants of 106 (77%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation states that it supports Lithuanian heritage in the United States, Lithuania, and Lithuanian communities worldwide. Its 2024 filing also describes a grant for the XXV South American Lithuanian Youth Meeting in Argentina. By recipient state, 2024 grant dollars were distributed as follows: Illinois, 67%; New Jersey, 16%; Rhode Island, 4%; Pennsylvania, 3%; and Michigan, 3%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 24 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Lithuanian Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
17%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 4 of 24 grantees (17%) were first-time recipients. With only 24 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 4 points. First grants averaged $19K; repeat grants $54K. How we count
Medians: $13K first-time, $24K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $434K (2021) to $1.2M (2023). In 2024 it made 24 grants totaling $1.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Lithuanian American Community Lemont, IL | Student internship program, administrative support, publications, chapter events, cultural projects & camp "lankas" | $402,075 |
| Lithuanian Educational Council of the USA Forked River, NJ | Support the Lithuanian Heritage Schools, Educational Material | $175,450 |
| Lithuanian World Center Lemont, IL | General Support, Building Renovations, Special Events | $97,500 |
| Lithuanian Research Center Lemont, IL | General Support, Archival Digitization and Preservation | $70,000 |
| Lithuanian World Community Cumberland, RI | LWC Office Support, Publications, Website Support | $50,200 |
| Draugas - Lithuanian Catholic Press Society Chicago, IL | "Draugas" Newspaper Publishing 2024 | $40,000 |
| Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture Chicago, IL | Lithuanian artists in chicago since 1900 to now", exhibition installation and conservation | $32,000 |
| Camp Dainava (MI) Manchester, MI | Generator Installation in the Dainava Camp | $30,000 |
| Lithuanian World Youth Association Philadelphia, PA | Xviii World Lithuanian Youth Congress | $25,815 |
| Lithuanian Hall Association Inc Baltimore, MD | Lithuanian Hall Building Maintenance | $25,000 |
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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 | $59,021,183 | $5,921,795 | $2,332,595 | $1,156,640 | 24 | $2,715,416 |
| 2023 | $52,153,207 | $2,399,722 | $2,297,072 | $1,173,190 | 28 | $2,005,470 |
| 2022 | $47,203,590 | $2,868,132 | $2,070,392 | $1,033,383 | 22 | $1,523,229 |
| 2021 | $53,188,345 | $6,129,593 | $1,778,779 | $433,511 | 10 | $2,104,919 |
| 2020 | $43,719,073 | $43,402 | $1,595,100 | $826,692 | 22 | $-214,670 |
| 2019 | $40,869,924 | $1,158,668 | $1,499,186 | $790,897 | 19 | $1,012,943 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is to preserve and foster Lithuanian culture and traditions in the United States, Lithuania, and Lithuanian communities worldwide. Its website identifies education, culture, youth, and community as funding areas, with particular interest in Lithuanian heritage education, cultural expression, youth organizations and camps, and projects that benefit the broader community. Its filing describes scholarships to university students as part of its work to sustain Lithuanian cultural identity across generations.
The foundation’s 2024 grants show support for organizations working in these areas. For example, Lithuanian American Community describes its mission as advancing Lithuanian language and culture; Lithuanian World Center says it promotes and preserves Lithuanian culture and heritage; and Lithuanian Scouts Association describes its work as educational programming for youth of Lithuanian descent. These are the recipient organizations’ stated missions.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 24 grants totaling $1,156,640. Grant amounts ranged from $6,500 to $402,075, with a median of $22,000.
The largest reported awards included $402,075 to Lithuanian American Community for a student internship program, administrative support, publications, chapter events, cultural projects, and Camp “Lankas”; $175,450 to Lithuanian Educational Council of the USA for Lithuanian heritage schools and educational materials; $97,500 to Lithuanian World Center for general support, building renovations, and special events; and $70,000 to Lithuanian Research Center for general support and archival digitization and preservation. Other recipients included Lithuanian World Community ($50,200), Draugas – Lithuanian Catholic Press Society ($40,000), and Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture ($32,000).
The foundation’s project-grant guidelines prioritize the Lithuanian American Community, Lithuanian American youth organizations, Lithuanian World Community, other U.S. organizations, diaspora organizations in other countries, and Lithuanian organizations, in that order. The foundation states that its board determines annual allocations and that it sets application formats, deadlines, and required documentation.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Audrone Pavिलcius Karalius as president and Joseph Kapacinskas as chairman. Directors listed are Tauras Bublys, Loreta Sadauskas, Saulius Cyvas, Milda Davis, Jonas Howes, Marius Kasniunas, Viktoras Kaufmann, and Vytautas Narutis.
Lithuanian Foundation Inc is led by Jurate Mereckis, Executive Director on every filing since 2019; 1 of 23 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Jurate Mereckis
Executive Director
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$66K (2019) → $93K (2024)
Audrone Pavilcius Karalius
President
Chairman → Director, 2021
Director → President, 2022
On filings since 2019
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joseph Kapacinskas
Chairman
New on the 2024 filing
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dalius Vasys
Director
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gintaras Vaisnys
Director
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marius Kasniunas
Director
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Milda Davis
Director
President → Officer, 2022
Officer → Director, 2024
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Saulius Cyvas
Director
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tauras Bublys
Director
President → Chairman, 2021
Chairman → Director, 2024
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Vytautas Narutis
Director
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ieva Dilyte
Director
Officer → Director, 2024
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jonas Howes
Director
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lina Zlioba
Director
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Loreta Sadauskas
Director
Officer → Director, 2024
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rimas Radzevicius
Director
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Viktoras Kaufmann
Director
New on the 2024 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Daiva Litvinskaite
Vice President
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Laima Kiliene
Treasurer
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Vytenis Kirvelaitis
Secretary
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Leonas Narbutis
Officer
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Goda Misiunas
Officer
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jonas Didzbalis
Officer
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jurate Murray
Officer
New on the 2024 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (8)
- Former: Antanas Razma Jr. (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Juozas Kapacinskas (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Viktoras Kaufmanas (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Arvydas Tamulis (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Daina Dumbrys (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Rimantas Griskelis (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Ruta Kulbis (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Vikroras Haufmanas (2019) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "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 $93K, to Jurate Mereckis (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Lithuanian Foundation Inc
How much does Lithuanian Foundation Inc give each year?
Lithuanian Foundation Inc gave $1.2M across 24 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $1.2M across 28 grants.
What is Lithuanian Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Lithuanian Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $22,000, and its average grant was $48,193, across 24 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Lithuanian Foundation Inc that year got $19K on average.
Where does Lithuanian Foundation Inc give grants?
Lithuanian Foundation Inc gives mostly in Illinois: 67% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was New Jersey (16%). The most frequent recipient cities were Lemont, IL (6 grants) and Chicago, IL (4 grants).
Does Lithuanian Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 13% of Lithuanian Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (3 of 24) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Who are Lithuanian Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Lithuanian Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Lithuanian American Community ($402,075), Lithuanian Educational Council of the USA ($175,450) and Lithuanian World Center ($97,500), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 58% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Lithuanian Foundation Inc?
Lithuanian Foundation Inc reported $59.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $5.9M.
What does Lithuanian Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to preserve and foster Lithuanian culture and traditions in the United States, Lithuania, and Lithuanian communities worldwide. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Lithuanian Foundation Inc?
Lithuanian Foundation Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check lithuanianfoundation.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Lithuanian Foundation Inc's EIN?
Lithuanian Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-6118312. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS November 4, 2020)
- 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 November 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
- 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 7, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Lithuanian Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 13, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/lithuanian-foundation-inc-morg_6c6c725936104d95b0bb2ceae7ed58e8
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_366118312_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Lithuanian Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/lithuanian-foundation-inc-morg_6c6c725936104d95b0bb2ceae7ed58e8},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-13. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Lithuanian Foundation Inc'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.
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