Lostn Foundation
Lostn Foundation is a private foundation, based in Chicago, IL. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $1.2M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 9 grants totaling $70K. Net investment income was $148K.
Lostn Foundation at a glance
In short: Lostn Foundation gave $70K across 9 grants in 2025 (avg $8K), top state Michigan. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $69,500
- +16.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 9
- +12.5% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $7,722
- +3.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $1,191,678
- +6.0% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Michigan (36% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
Who Lostn Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 9 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park ($15K). Together the top 9 received $70K.
Grant Size Distribution
37 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 37 grants of 37 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 9 itemized grants.
Cities
How Lostn Foundation gives
- Giving grew 363% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 95% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $15K (2022) to $157K (2020). In 2025 it made 9 grants totaling $70K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Grand Rapids, MI | Unrestricted Grant to General Fund | $15,000 |
| Doctors Without Borders USA Hagerstown, MD | Unrestricted Grant to General Fund | $10,000 |
| New Israel Fund Philadelphia, PA | Unrestricted Grant to General Fund | $10,000 |
| Roots & Culture Contemporary Art Center Chicago, IL | Unrestricted Grant to General Fund | $10,000 |
| School of the Art Institute of Chicago Chicago, IL | Unrestricted Grant to General Fund | $10,000 |
| Grand Valley State University Grand Rapids, MI | Unrestricted Grant to General Fund | $5,000 |
| Planned Parenthood of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI | Unrestricted grant to general fund for use in West Michigan | $5,000 |
| American Jewish World Service New York, NY | Unrestricted Grant to General Fund | $3,000 |
| Meals on Wheels Chicago Chicago, IL | Unrestricted Grant to General Fund | $1,500 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,191,678 | $149,230 | $71,977 | $69,500 | 9 | $70,610 | $148,450 | $74,286 |
| 2024 | $1,123,797 | $90,429 | $70,223 | $59,500 | 8 | $60,751 | $89,147 | $70,712 |
| 2023 | $1,103,591 | $210,125 | $55,894 | $54,000 | 9 | $54,957 | $209,223 | $61,118 |
| 2022 | $939,360 | $16,221 | $18,748 | $15,000 | 6 | $15,974 | $15,291 | $62,497 |
| 2021 | $941,887 | $91,473 | $22,873 | $21,100 | 5 | $21,976 | $90,576 | $68,807 |
| 2020 | $873,287 | $40,618 | $158,839 | $156,500 | 10 | — | $40,321 | $60,347 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Lostn Foundation reported a distributable amount of $74K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Lostn Foundation is led by William R. Padnos, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
William R. Padnos
President
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cynthia Padnos
Director
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Shelley E. Padnos
Director
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Lostn Foundation
How much does Lostn Foundation give each year?
Lostn Foundation gave $70K across 9 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $60K across 8 grants.
What is Lostn Foundation's typical grant size?
Lostn Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $7,722, across 9 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Lostn Foundation give grants?
Lostn Foundation's top state is Michigan, with 36% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Illinois (31%) and Maryland (14%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (3 grants) and Grand Rapids, MI (2 grants).
Does Lostn Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Lostn Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (9 of 9) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Lostn Foundation's largest grantees?
Lostn Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park ($15,000), Doctors Without Borders USA ($10,000) and New Israel Fund ($10,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 50% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Lostn Foundation?
Lostn Foundation reported $1.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $71K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $74K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What is Lostn Foundation's EIN?
Lostn Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-2950655. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 13, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Lostn Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Lostn Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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