Lumina Foundation for Education Inc
Lumina Foundation for Education Inc is an independent foundation based in Indianapolis, Indiana, focused on making learning opportunities beyond high school available to all. It supports efforts to build an equitable, accessible, responsive, and accountable post-high-school education system, with a goal of increasing the share of adults in the U.S. labor force who hold degrees or other credentials of value.
Lumina Foundation for Education Inc at a glance
In short: Lumina Foundation for Education Inc gave $30.0M across 357 grants in 2024 (avg $84K), top state District of Columbia. 37% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $30,030,680
- -45.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 357
- +6.6% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $84,120
- -48.9% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $12,500
- Total assets
- $1,544,151,334
- +6.7% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 37% first-time grantees (113 of 309, 2024)
- Primary geography
- District of Columbia (23% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Lumina Foundation for Education Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Review Cycle
- The filing lists unsolicited inquiries received by the end of September for the year.
- Deadline
- The filing lists unsolicited inquiries received by the end of September for the year.
- Contact
Application contact: Program Office New Inquiry
Mailing address: Lumina Foundation For Education Po, Box 1806, Indianapolis, IN 46206-1806
Phone: (317) 951-5300
Website: https://luminafoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Lumina Foundation for Education Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Blackbaud Giving Fund ($2.5M). Together the top 10 received $9.3M.
Organizations only. It also paid 3 grants to individuals ($1,000,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
2,297 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 1,555 grants of 2,297 (68%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Lumina’s stated goal is national in scope. In 2024, the largest shares of grant dollars by recipient state went to the District of Columbia (23%), Indiana (9%), South Carolina (8%), California (8%), and an individual recipient (6%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 357 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Lumina Foundation for Education Inc open to new grantees?
37%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 113 of 309 grantees (37%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $97K; repeat grants $97K. How we count
Medians: $20K first-time, $11K repeat.
- 38% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 48% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 102% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $30.0M (2024) to $57.7M (2021). In 2024 it made 357 grants totaling $30.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Blackbaud Giving Fund Charleston, SC | To support Lumina's 2023-2024 Gift Programs through the Blackbaud Giving Fund. | $2,508,511 |
| Georgetown University Washington, DC | To strengthen the alignment of postsecondary education and workforce via research and technical assistance. | $900,000 |
| Illinois Board of Higher Education Springfield, IL | To implement direct admissions statewide in Illinois for community college transfer students and high school seniors, using the Common App | $750,000 |
| 2 grants to individuals Recipients not named | — | $950,000 |
| Trustees of the California State University Long Beach, CA | To automate admissions to the CSU system through California's official K-12 college & career readiness platform | $750,000 |
| The Third Way Foundation Inc Washington, DC | To assess the true costs of developing and offering short-term workforce development programs at community colleges and evaluate the implications of these costs for school administrators. | $745,000 |
| Complete College America Indianapolis, IN | to support the continued implementation of the Historically Black Community College Network | $740,000 |
| Competency-Based Education Network Franklin, TN | To pilot competency-based math course redesign models to foster more equitable pathways to success at community colleges | $700,000 |
| John N Gardner Institute Brevard, NC | To work with Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education institutions to create and implement five-year plans that transform the foundational postsecondary experience. | $670,000 |
| Greater Washington Educational Telecommunications Association Inc Arlington, VA | To support public television news broadcast segments related to the nation's need for increased educational attainment after high school. | $650,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Lumina Foundation for Education Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Lumina’s filing type is Form 990-PF, a private foundation.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $1,544,151,334 | $85,433,733 | $72,641,003 | $30,030,680 | 357 | $73,462,589 | $72,447,062 | $72,180,632 |
| 2023 | $1,447,572,232 | $54,331,663 | $90,342,377 | $55,173,681 | 335 | $89,865,542 | $37,636,907 | $69,362,505 |
| 2022 | $1,413,211,168 | $103,090,471 | $65,552,907 | $33,921,229 | 337 | $69,151,951 | $70,910,975 | $69,845,080 |
| 2021 | $1,602,580,672 | $177,941,571 | $96,835,332 | $57,692,958 | 425 | $82,845,134 | $149,099,188 | $72,463,285 |
| 2020 | $1,416,758,091 | $124,727,424 | $70,210,915 | $38,974,654 | 843 | — | $122,107,527 | $59,968,812 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Lumina Foundation for Education Inc reported a distributable amount of $72.2M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Lumina’s mission is to prepare people for informed citizenship and success in a global economy. Its goal is for 75 percent of adults in the U.S. labor force to have college degrees or other credentials of value leading to economic prosperity by 2040. Its work includes supporting research, policy outreach, technical assistance, and efforts to measure and evaluate progress in education and training after high school.
Examples of supported organizations illustrate the range of its partners. Complete College America describes its work as helping states improve college completion and close attainment gaps for underrepresented populations. The Competency-Based Education Network says it works to advance a competency- and skills-first society and equitable work-learn pathways. Research for Action describes its mission as using research to improve educational opportunities and outcomes for traditionally underserved students.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, Lumina reported 357 grants totaling $30,030,680. Grants ranged from $500 to $2,508,511, with a median of $12,500.
Among the largest reported grants were $2,508,511 to Blackbaud Giving Fund to support Lumina’s 2023–2024 gift programs; $900,000 to Georgetown University for research and technical assistance aligning postsecondary education and workforce needs; and $750,000 each to the Illinois Board of Higher Education, Northern Arizona University Foundation, and Trustees of the California State University for admissions initiatives. Other notable grants included $745,000 to The Third Way Foundation Inc for research on the costs and implications of short-term community-college workforce programs, and $740,000 to Complete College America to support continued implementation of the Historically Black Community College Network.
Lumina’s grant guidance describes its grantmaking as primarily proactive: it solicits ideas directly from partners and periodically announces open requests for proposals or calls for work. It also says it does not accept unsolicited requests. Its 2024 filing describes a process for reviewing unsolicited requests for alignment with current priorities; aligned requests may be referred to a program officer, and viable inquiries may be invited to submit concept papers. A full proposal may be requested after evaluation, but an invitation does not guarantee funding. The filing says applicants are informed within two months whether an inquiry fits current priorities and resources, and that the full review and approval process typically takes approximately six months after a proposal is requested, assuming timely responses to information requests.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Lumina Foundation for Education Inc is led by Jamie Merisotis, President & CEO on every filing since 2020; 21 of 22 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Jamie Merisotis
President & CEO
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$896K (2020) → $1.1M (2024)
Michelle Cooper
Vice President, Public Policy & Executive Director
Vice President & Public Policy → Vice President, Public Policy & Executive Director, 2023
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$91K (2022) → $374K (2024)
Alisa Miller
Board Chair
Director → Board Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$34K (2020) → $45K (2024)
Allan Hubbard
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$23K (2020) → $28K (2024)
Austan Goolsbee
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$21K (2020) → $0 (2024)
Chauncy Lennon
Vice President for the Future of Learning, Work & Senior Stratgeic Advisor
Vice President for the Future of Learning & Work → Vice President for the Future of Learning, Work & Senior Stratgeic Advisor, 2023
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$281K (2020) → $422K (2024)
Courtney Brown
Vice President of Impact & Planning
Vice President of Strategic Impact → Vice President of Impact & Planning, 2023
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$288K (2020) → $387K (2024)
David Wilson
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$28K (2020) → $34K (2024)
Debra Humphreys
Vice President of Strategic Engagement
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$257K (2020) → $374K (2024)
Joseph Boateng
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$32K (2020) → $34K (2024)
Justin Christian
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$14K (2020) → $28K (2024)
Matthew Goldberg
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$25K (2020) → $28K (2024)
Timothy Robinson
Vice President General Counsel & Chief of Staff
Vice President of Administrator & Partnerships → Vice President of Administration & Partnerships, 2021
Vice President of Administration & Partnerships → Vice President General Counsel & Chief of Staff, 2023
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$217K (2020) → $345K (2024)
Christine Pambianchi
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$28K (2021) → $28K (2024)
William Serrata
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$21K (2021) → $28K (2024)
Hong Linh Nguyen
Vice President, Equity Culture & Talent
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$104K (2022) → $361K (2024)
Erin Archer
Vice President for Finance, Investment & CFO
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$168K (2023) → $392K (2024)
Carman Twillie Ambar
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
$28K (2024)
Katherine Davis
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
$28K (2024)
Matthew Breitfelder
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
$34K (2024)
Pardis Mahdavi
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
$20K (2024)
Teresa Lubbers
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
$20K (2024)
Former officers (11)
- Former: Holiday McKiernan (2020–2023) — Executive Vice President, COO, General Counsel & Secretary
- Former: Kathy Davis (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Matt Breitfelder (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Carmen Ambar Twillie (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Brad Kelsheimer (2020–2022) — Vice President for Finance, Investment, CFO & Treasurer
- Former: Belle Wheelan (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Danette Howard (2020–2021) — Senior Vice President & Chief Strategy Officer
- Former: F Joseph Loughrey (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Joe Castro (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Mark Yudof (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Christy Pambianch (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "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 $1.1M, to Jamie Merisotis (President/CEO). 21 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Lumina Foundation for Education Inc
How much does Lumina Foundation for Education Inc give each year?
Lumina Foundation for Education Inc gave $30.0M across 357 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $55.2M across 335 grants.
What is Lumina Foundation for Education Inc's typical grant size?
Lumina Foundation for Education Inc's median grant in 2024 was $12,500, and its average grant was $84,120, across 357 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Lumina Foundation for Education Inc that year got $97K on average.
Where does Lumina Foundation for Education Inc give grants?
Lumina Foundation for Education Inc's top state is District of Columbia, with 23% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Indiana (9%) and South Carolina (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Indianapolis, IN (97 grants), Washington, DC (74 grants), New York, NY (21 grants) and Bloomington, IN (7 grants).
Does Lumina Foundation for Education Inc give general operating support?
Occasionally: 4% of Lumina Foundation for Education Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (15 of 357) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "To build the capacity to serve adult learners at HBCUs." (4 grants).
Who are Lumina Foundation for Education Inc's largest grantees?
Lumina Foundation for Education Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Blackbaud Giving Fund ($2,508,511), Georgetown University ($900,000) and Complete College America ($815,000 across 3 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 3 grants to individuals ($1,000,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 14% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Lumina Foundation for Education Inc?
Lumina Foundation for Education Inc reported $1.5B in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $73.5M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $72.2M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Lumina Foundation for Education Inc fund?
Lumina’s mission is to prepare people for informed citizenship and success in a global economy. Its goal is for 75 percent of adults in the U.S. labor force to have college degrees or other credentials of value leading to economic prosperity by 2040. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Lumina Foundation for Education Inc?
Lumina Foundation for Education Inc does not accept unsolicited proposals, according to Grantable's research on its published guidelines. Check luminafoundation.org for any change to that policy.
What is Lumina Foundation for Education Inc's EIN?
Lumina Foundation for Education Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 35-1813228. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Lumina Foundation for Education Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Lumina Foundation for Education Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 7, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/lumina-foundation-for-education-inc-morg_ce47caaaa3a24f8e9736f18fb86db685
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_351813228_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Lumina Foundation for Education Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/lumina-foundation-for-education-inc-morg_ce47caaaa3a24f8e9736f18fb86db685},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-07. 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 Lumina Foundation for Education 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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