The John E and Margaret L Lane Foundation
The John E and Margaret L Lane Foundation is a private family foundation established in 1997 in Colorado. Based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the foundation focuses on turning strong ideas into action by finding and supporting high-impact projects and leaders in their communities.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$40.8M
-5.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.5M
+38.6% YoY
Grant Count
26
+23.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$98K
+12.0% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The John E and Margaret L Lane Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.7M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to turn strong ideas into action: finding and supporting high-impact projects and leaders who will drive these efforts.
Primary funding areas include:
- Religious purposes
- Educational purposes
- Health initiatives
- The arts
- Faith-based work
The foundation actively pursues dynamic leaders to drive transformative projects and invests in breakthrough programs and initiatives using cutting-edge strategies.
Grantmaking
The foundation has invested in precision medicine programs, including a foundational investment in Children's Hospital Colorado Springs for breakthrough pediatric care programs.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily serves:
- Colorado (particularly Southern Colorado)
- Arizona
- Illinois
The foundation emphasizes investing in Southern Colorado communities where the founding family has deep roots, with a vision for building an ecosystem of sustainable nonprofits and community-centered projects.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total assets: $40,813,495
- Total giving: $2,549,350
- Revenue: $629,832
- Expenses: $3,086,688
- Total liabilities: $13,800
Tax Status:
- EIN: 31-1531619
- Tax-exempt since June 1997
- Designated as a 501(c)(3) organization
- Required to file Form 990-PF
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $40,813,495 | $43,066,359 | $43,778,314 |
| Revenue | $629,832 | $970,067 | $2,748,782 |
| Expenses | $3,086,688 | $2,382,660 | $1,546,655 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,801,301 | $1,962,837 | $1,222,588 |
| Net Investment Income | $91,935 | $611,409 | $2,277,034 |
| Distributable Amount | $2,727,916 | $2,637,044 | $2,679,055 |
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
82 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Colorado Springs Therapeutic Riding Center ($500,000), Children's Hospital Colorado Foundation ($500,000), Young Life ($275,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| COLORADO SPRINGS PHILHARMONIC COLORADO SPRINGS, CO | GENERAL FUND | $5,600 |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs Colorado Springs, CO | Sculpture Grant | $40,000 |
| Colorado Springs Therapeutic Riding Center Colorado Springs, CO | General Fund | $500,000 |
| Downtown Ventures Colorado Springs, CO | Arts on the Street Project | $1,000 |
| Pikes Peak Community Foundation Colorado Springs, CO | Couples Who Care Event | $5,000 |
| Peak Education Colorado Springs, CO | General Fund | $200,000 |
| EMPTY STOCKING FUND ATLANTA, GA | Donation | $10,000 |
| CAREERS IN CONSTRUCTION COLORADO Colorado Springs, CO | DONATION | $100,000 |
| Children's Hospital Colorado Foundation AURORA, CO | General Fund | $500,000 |
| Colorado Springs Pioneer Museum Colorado Springs, CO | General Fund | $100,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Founders:
- John E Lane – Passed away in 2005
- Margaret L Lane (Margot) – Passed away in 2017
Both John and Margot were people of vision and conviction who believed that a flourishing society requires community collaboration. They built a strong regional business that enabled their philanthropic work.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anita K Lane | Director | 1 | — |
| PHILIP R LANE | Chairman and Secretary | 1 | — |
| David J Lane | Director | 1 | — |
| Eric Ryan | Director and Treasurer | 1 | — |
| Laura Blackburn | Program Officer | 5 | $111,000 |
| Jennifer George | Director | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation continues to actively pursue transformative projects in Southern Colorado. Recent focus includes investment in precision medicine initiatives at Children's Hospital Colorado Springs, described as a game-changer for providing kids in the region access to advanced medical care at the region's only safety net hospital for children.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The John E and Margaret L Lane Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission is to turn strong ideas into action: finding and supporting high-impact projects and leaders who will drive these efforts. Primary funding areas include: • Religious purposes • Educational purposes • Health initiatives • The arts • Faith-based work The foundation actively pursues dynamic leaders to drive transformative projects and invests in breakthrough programs and initiatives using cutting-edge strategies.
How do I apply for a grant from The John E and Margaret L Lane Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Total giving in 2024: $2,549,350 • Typical award range: $1,000–$600,000 • The foundation actively pursues and funds specific projects rather than maintaining open grant opportunities **Recent Initiatives:** The foundation has invested in precision medicine programs, including a foundational investment in Children's Hospital Colorado Springs for breakthrough pediatric care programs.
Where does The John E and Margaret L Lane Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily serves: • Colorado (particularly Southern Colorado) • Arizona • Illinois The foundation emphasizes investing in Southern Colorado communities where the founding family has deep roots, with a vision for building an ecosystem of sustainable nonprofits and community-centered projects.
What size grants does The John E and Margaret L Lane Foundation award?
In 2024, The John E and Margaret L Lane Foundation awarded 26 grants totaling $2.5M — an average of about $98K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The John E and Margaret L Lane Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The John E and Margaret L Lane Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.7M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The John E and Margaret L Lane Foundation's EIN?
The John E and Margaret L Lane Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 31-1531619. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The John E and Margaret L Lane Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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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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