The Frederick P Lenz Foundation for
The Frederick P. Lenz Foundation for American Buddhism is a private foundation based in Los Angeles, California, dedicated to fostering the growth and development of authentic American Buddhism. Founded in 1998, the Foundation works to translate Eastern Buddhist wisdom traditions into forms and approaches suited to contemporary American society and culture.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$13.6M
+15.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$710K
+109.3% YoY
Grant Count
60
+93.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$12K
+8.2% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Frederick P Lenz Foundation for reported a distributable amount of $653K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission Statement:
The Foundation's long-range aim is to foster the growth and development of an authentic American Buddhism that takes its inspiration from the wisdom traditions of the East but adopts new forms, approaches, and applications uniquely suited to contemporary American society and culture. By developing and strengthening the emerging community of American Buddhist organizations, the Foundation seeks to give birth to an American society that reflects the universal Buddhist values of wisdom, compassion, mindfulness, and meditation practice.
Core Values & Vision:
The Foundation's vision is rooted in Dr. Frederick P. Lenz's (known as "Rama" to his students) belief that Westerners in modern, fast-paced America can achieve spiritual enlightenment without religious ceremony while better enjoying the benefits of an American lifestyle through Zen Buddhism, meditation, yoga, and related Buddhist practices. The Foundation aims to spread knowledge and benefits of these disciplines throughout American society, utilizing Dr. Lenz's writings, tapes, and music as educational aids.
Primary Focus Areas:
- Zen Buddhism, meditation, and yoga practices
- Tantric Buddhism and Vajrayana Buddhism
- Tibetan yoga and related Buddhist practices
- Higher education in Buddhist studies
- Nonprofit human services
- Collaboration among Buddhist organizations to create an enlightened American society
- Women's leadership in Buddhism
Grantmaking
In 2026, the Foundation made 90 grants and ten donations to diverse Buddhist lineages and programs, reflecting an unprecedented number of grant applications.
Grant Range
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Grant Types
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation's grantmaking focuses primarily on California, New York, and Colorado, though it supports Buddhist organizations across the United States.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (2023-2024):
- Total assets: $13,590,942 (2024)
- Total revenues: $995,022 (2023)
- Total expenses: $818,597 (2023)
- Total giving: $710,333 (2024)
Staffing:
The Foundation operates with 2 employees.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $13,590,942 | $11,729,247 | $10,919,443 |
| Revenue | $3,340,960 | $995,022 | $380,571 |
| Expenses | $1,521,263 | $818,597 | $719,715 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,353,096 | $705,176 | $609,826 |
| Net Investment Income | $837,232 | $449,196 | $145,742 |
| Distributable Amount | $653,353 | $541,575 | $566,136 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
163 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Naropa University ($41,833), Drala Mountain Center ($18,000), Dhammadharini ($17,500).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| BARRE CENTER FOR BUDDHIST STUDIES BARRE, ME | UNRESTRICTED | $15,000 |
| BE MEDITATION GROUP COVINA, CA | UNRESTRICTED | $9,000 |
| BEYOND THE CELL LOS ANGELES, CA | UNRESTRICTED | $5,000 |
| BODHI MANDA ZEN CENTER JEMEZ SPRINGS, NM | UNRESTRICTED | $10,000 |
| BOUNDLESS IN MOTION BOULDER, CO | UNRESTRICTED | $12,500 |
| BROOKLYN ZEN CENTER BROOKLYN, NY | UNRESTRICTED | $12,500 |
| COMMUNITY INITIATIVES LOS ANGELES, CA | UNRESTRICTED | $12,000 |
| DAIHONZAN CHOZEN-JI INTERNATIONAL ZEN DOJO HONOLULU, HI | UNRESTRICTED | $10,500 |
| DHAMMADHARINI PENNGROVE, CA | UNRESTRICTED | $17,500 |
| DHARMA GATES INC BROOKLYN, NY | UNRESTRICTED | $5,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LISA LEWINSON | CEO, TREASURER | 1 | $104,726 |
| NORMAN OBERSTEIN | VICE PRESIDENT / SECRETARY | 1 | $79,659 |
| ROB FRANCAIS | DIRECTOR | 1 | $27,771 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**2026 Grant Announcements:**
The Foundation announced making 90 grants and ten donations to diverse Buddhist lineages and programs for 2026, noting an unprecedented number of grant applications received.
**Ongoing Programs & Initiatives:**
**Women Leaders in Buddhism Series:** The Foundation has launched "Women Leaders in Buddhism: Empowering Women in the Dharma Series," reflecting a new grant theme focused on women's leadership within Buddhist organizations.
The Frederick P. Lenz Foundation for American Buddhism Gives ...**Lenz/Naropa Merit Scholarship:** The Foundation supports scholarship programs in partnership with Naropa University.
**Educational Resources:** The Foundation publishes papers and resources on Buddhist teachings, including works on women and enlightenment, the art of selfless giving, and spiritual practice.
The Lenz Foundation Focuses on Women's Leadership with New ...**Rama Meditation Society:** The Foundation maintains the Rama Meditation Society, offering free resources related to Dr. Lenz's living legacy and teachings.
**Collaboration Initiatives:** The Foundation actively inspires Buddhist organizations to work together to create an enlightened American society.
The Frederick P. Lenz Foundation for American Buddhism Gives ...Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Frederick P Lenz Foundation for fund?
**Mission Statement:** The Foundation's long-range aim is to foster the growth and development of an authentic American Buddhism that takes its inspiration from the wisdom traditions of the East but adopts new forms, approaches, and applications uniquely suited to contemporary American society and culture. By developing and strengthening the emerging community of American Buddhist organizations, the Foundation seeks to give birth to an American society that reflects the universal Buddhist value…
How do I apply for a grant from The Frederick P Lenz Foundation for?
**Grant Activity:** In 2026, the Foundation made 90 grants and ten donations to diverse Buddhist lineages and programs, reflecting an unprecedented number of grant applications. **Grant Sizes:** Based on recent data, typical grant awards range from $1,000 to $85,722. In 2023, the Foundation made 20 grants totaling $272,833, with individual grants including: • Naropa University: $41,833 • Lineage Project: $20,000 • Inward Bound Mindfulness Education (IBME): $20,000 **Grant Types:** The Foundatio…
Where does The Frederick P Lenz Foundation for make grants?
The Foundation's grantmaking focuses primarily on California, New York, and Colorado, though it supports Buddhist organizations across the United States.
What size grants does The Frederick P Lenz Foundation for award?
In 2024, The Frederick P Lenz Foundation for awarded 60 grants totaling $710K — an average of about $12K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Frederick P Lenz Foundation for required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Frederick P Lenz Foundation for reported a distributable amount of $653K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Frederick P Lenz Foundation for's EIN?
The Frederick P Lenz Foundation for's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-4014022. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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