The Frederick P Lenz Foundation for American Buddhism
The Frederick P. Lenz Foundation for American Buddhism is a private foundation based in Los Angeles, California, that supports the development of American Buddhism and the use of Buddhist meditation and mindfulness in American society. Its IRS filing lists it as a private foundation.
The Frederick P Lenz Foundation for American Buddhism at a glance
In short: The Frederick P Lenz Foundation for American Buddhism gave $45K across 2 grants in 2025 (avg $23K), mostly in Colorado. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $45,333
- -93.6% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 2
- -96.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $22,667
- +91.5% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $22,667
- Total assets
- $15,112,241
- +11.2% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Colorado (92% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The Frederick P Lenz Foundation for American Buddhism
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The Foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 11100 Santa Monica Blvd 500, Los Angeles, CA 90025
Phone: (310) 201-6577
Website: https://fredericklenzfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Frederick P Lenz Foundation for American Buddhism funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 2 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Naropa University ($42K). Together the top 2 received $45K.
Grant Size Distribution
155 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 152 grants of 155 (98%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation’s policy limits grants to programs in the United States. In the 2025 filing, 92% of grant dollars went to recipients in Colorado and 8% to recipients in Utah.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 2 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Frederick P Lenz Foundation for American Buddhism gives
- Giving fell 85% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 89% 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 $45K (2025) to $710K (2024). In 2025 it made 2 grants totaling $45K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Naropa University Boulder, CO | Unrestricted | $41,833 |
| The Boulder Mountain Zendo Salt Lake City, UT | Unrestricted | $3,500 |
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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 | $15,112,241 | $819,027 | $793,421 | $45,333 | 2 | $617,301 | $630,920 | $692,831 |
| 2024 | $13,590,942 | $3,340,960 | $1,521,263 | $710,333 | 60 | $1,353,096 | $837,232 | $653,353 |
| 2023 | $11,729,247 | $995,022 | $818,597 | $339,333 | 31 | $705,176 | $449,196 | $541,575 |
| 2022 | $10,919,443 | $380,571 | $719,715 | $304,222 | 27 | $609,826 | $145,742 | $566,136 |
| 2021 | $12,771,790 | $715,182 | $796,291 | $395,208 | 35 | $675,558 | $466,358 | $612,831 |
| 2020 | $12,483,503 | $1,382,881 | $564,435 | $194,958 | 20 | — | $1,282,492 | $585,191 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Frederick P Lenz Foundation for American Buddhism reported a distributable amount of $693K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s stated long-range aim is to foster an authentic American Buddhism inspired by Eastern wisdom traditions and adapted to contemporary American society and culture. It seeks to strengthen American Buddhist organizations and promote wisdom, compassion, mindfulness, and meditation practice.
The Foundation says it has primarily funded Buddhist scholarship and studies, Buddhist media and technology, end-of-life care, BIPOC and underserved communities, prisons and the justice system, meditation and mindfulness in Buddhist and secular settings, K–12 schools, women in Buddhism, and ecodharma. Its meditation work includes grants and program-related investments for organizations and initiatives studying, applying, or disseminating Buddhist meditation and mindfulness in science, education, health care, and social services.
The Foundation makes grants to U.S.-based IRS tax-exempt 501(c)(3) public charities for programs in the United States. As an example of a supported organization, Naropa University describes its mission as educating the whole person and nurturing learning, compassionate service, and insight.
Grantmaking
The 2025 IRS filing reports two grants totaling $45,333, ranging from $3,500 to $41,833, with a median grant of $22,666. The largest was an unrestricted $41,833 grant to Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. The other was an unrestricted $3,500 grant to The Boulder Mountain Zendo in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The Foundation’s website reports that it made 90 grants and ten donations for 2026. It also lists recoverable grants of up to $100,000 for 2026 under its Pay it Forward Program. The 2027 grant theme is “Youth in the Dharma”; the website states that the application window is closed.
The Foundation does not fund individuals, capital-asset acquisition such as land or buildings, facility remodeling, film projects, self-published books, programs outside the United States, related transportation costs, or fiscally sponsored organizations. It favors innovative programs with potential for broad benefit and that rely in some manner on other financing with potential for sustainability.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Liz Lewinson as CEO and Treasurer, Norman Oberstein as Vice President and Secretary, and Rob Francais as Director.
The Frederick P Lenz Foundation for American Buddhism is led by Liz Lewinson, CEO & Treasurer on the 2025 filing; all 3 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Liz Lewinson
CEO & Treasurer
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
$105K (2025)
Rob Francais
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$16K (2020) → $29K (2025)
Norman Oberstein
Vice President & Secretary
Director, CEO, Secretary & Chairman → Director, CEO & Chairman, 2021
Director, CEO & Chairman → Vice President & Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$21K (2020) → $82K (2025)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Lisa Lewinson (2020–2024) — CEO & Treasurer
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $105K, to Liz Lewinson (CEO, Treasurer). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Frederick P Lenz Foundation for American Buddhism
How much does The Frederick P Lenz Foundation for American Buddhism give each year?
The Frederick P Lenz Foundation for American Buddhism gave $45K across 2 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $710K across 60 grants.
How large is The Frederick P Lenz Foundation for American Buddhism?
The Frederick P Lenz Foundation for American Buddhism reported $15.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $617K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $693K (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 does The Frederick P Lenz Foundation for American Buddhism fund?
The Foundation’s stated long-range aim is to foster an authentic American Buddhism inspired by Eastern wisdom traditions and adapted to contemporary American society and culture. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Frederick P Lenz Foundation for American Buddhism?
The Foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
Where does The Frederick P Lenz Foundation for American Buddhism make grants?
The Foundation’s policy limits grants to programs in the United States. In the 2025 filing, 92% of grant dollars went to recipients in Colorado and 8% to recipients in Utah.
What is The Frederick P Lenz Foundation for American Buddhism's EIN?
The Frederick P Lenz Foundation for American Buddhism's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-4014022. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does The Frederick P Lenz Foundation for American Buddhism 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
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS July 16, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Figures come from The Frederick P Lenz Foundation for American Buddhism'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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