The Kevin and Lesley Lilly Foundation
The Kevin and Lesley Lilly Foundation is a private foundation based in Washington, DC. In 2025, it reported 13 grants totaling $527,500, with most grant dollars going to recipients in Texas.
Key facts about The Kevin and Lesley Lilly Foundation
In short: The Kevin and Lesley Lilly Foundation gave $528K across 13 grants in 2025 (avg $41K), mostly in Texas. 38% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 31-1518662
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $527,500
- Grants made (2025)
- 13
- Average grant
- $40,577
- Median grant
- $5,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 38% first-time grantees (5 of 13, 2025)
- Total assets
- $146,617
- Primary geography
- Texas (97% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- The foundation’s 2024 filing states that applications are accepted at any time. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$147K
+51.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$528K
+65.9% YoY
Grant Count
13
-13.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$41K
+91.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Kevin and Lesley Lilly Foundation reported a distributable amount of $10K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is The Kevin and Lesley Lilly Foundation open to new grantees?
38%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 5 of 13 grantees (38%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $3K; repeat grants $64K. How we count
Medians: $2K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 31% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 147% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants show support for a range of organizations. Texas Wranglers describes its mission as giving students opportunities to form lifelong friendships and become student leaders through community involvement. Creede Repertory Theatre describes itself as an artistic home for its rural community and beyond, with repertory seasons, educational programs, and new works. These are the grantees’ own descriptions.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 13 grants totaling $527,500. The smallest listed grant was $500, the largest was $330,000, and the median was $5,000. Notable grants included $330,000 to Lifehouse, $100,000 to The Story Church Houston, $50,000 to Strake Jesuit, and $10,000 each to Junior League of Houston and Mainstreet Ministries. Each was designated “to fund charitable activities.”
Ready to take the next step with The Kevin and Lesley Lilly Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 97% of grant dollars went to recipients in Texas, 2% to Colorado, 1% to Virginia, and less than 1% to North Carolina.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 13 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $95K (2021) to $528K (2025). In 2025 it made 13 grants totaling $528K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Lifehouse ($330K). Together the top 10 received $526K.
Grant Size Distribution
72 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 63 grants of 72 (88%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Lifehouse Houston, TX | To Fund Charitable Activities | $330,000 |
| The Story Church Houston HN, TX | To Fund Charitable Activities | $100,000 |
| Strake Jesuit Houston, TX | To Fund Charitable Activities | $50,000 |
| Junior League of Houston Houston, TX | To Fund Charitable Activities | $10,000 |
| Mainstreet Ministries Houston, TX | To Fund Charitable Activities | $10,000 |
| Texas Wranglers Austin, TX | To Fund Charitable Activities | $9,000 |
| Cornerstone Christian Center Basalt, CO | To Fund Charitable Activities | $5,000 |
| Creede Repertory Theatre Creede, CO | To Fund Charitable Activities | $5,000 |
| Partnership for Resource Development Chesapeake, VA | To Fund Charitable Activities | $5,000 |
| Trexo Houston, TX | To Fund Charitable Activities | $1,500 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $146,617 | $534,294 | $527,523 | $527,500 |
| 2024 | $96,866 | $326,615 | $318,000 | $318,000 |
| 2023 | $88,253 | $178,745 | $398,467 | $398,467 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $146,617 | $96,866 | $88,253 |
| Revenue | $534,294 | $326,615 | $178,745 |
| Expenses | $527,523 | $318,000 | $398,467 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $527,500 | $318,000 | $398,467 |
| Net Investment Income | $4,108 | $1,615 | $3,745 |
| Distributable Amount | $10,216 | $5,698 | $8,795 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS June 15, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Kevin J Lilly as director, president, and treasurer, and Lelsey K Lilly as director, vice president, and secretary.
The Kevin and Lesley Lilly Foundation is led by Kevin J. Lilly, Director, President & Treasurer on every filing since 2021; none of the 2 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Kevin J. Lilly
Director, President & Treasurer
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lelsey K. Lilly
Director, V. President & Secretary
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: John Lilly (2021–2024) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Contact
Application contact: Kevin J Lilly
Mailing address: 2929 Allen Pkwy Suite 3000, Houston, TX 77019
Phone: (713) 238-2050
Frequently asked questions about The Kevin and Lesley Lilly Foundation
How much does The Kevin and Lesley Lilly Foundation give each year?
The Kevin and Lesley Lilly Foundation gave $528K across 13 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $318K across 15 grants.
What is The Kevin and Lesley Lilly Foundation's typical grant size?
The Kevin and Lesley Lilly Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $5,000, and its average grant was $40,577, across 13 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Kevin and Lesley Lilly Foundation that year got $3K on average.
Where does The Kevin and Lesley Lilly Foundation give grants?
The Kevin and Lesley Lilly Foundation gives mostly in Texas: 97% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Houston, TX (7 grants).
Does The Kevin and Lesley Lilly Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 13 grants with a stated purpose on The Kevin and Lesley Lilly Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "To Fund Charitable Activities" (13 grants).
Who are The Kevin and Lesley Lilly Foundation's largest grantees?
The Kevin and Lesley Lilly Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Lifehouse ($330,000), The Story Church Houston ($100,000) and Strake Jesuit ($50,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 91% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Kevin and Lesley Lilly Foundation?
The Kevin and Lesley Lilly Foundation reported $147K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $528K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $10K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Kevin and Lesley Lilly Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants show support for a range of organizations. Texas Wranglers describes its mission as giving students opportunities to form lifelong friendships and become student leaders through community involvement. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Kevin and Lesley Lilly Foundation?
The foundation’s 2024 filing states that applications are accepted at any time. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Kevin and Lesley Lilly Foundation's EIN?
The Kevin and Lesley Lilly Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 31-1518662. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching The Kevin and Lesley Lilly Foundation by hand.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Kevin and Lesley Lilly Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in District of Columbia
Greater Houston Community Foundation
Houston, TX
The Foundation makes grants through donor-advised and other donor-established funds for public benefit, human services, education, and health, including initiatives addressing economic mobility and poverty in Harris County. In 2024, its median grant was $25,000; it serves Greater Houston, while grants also go to recipients elsewhere in Texas and beyond. It does not accept proposals for the upcoming High-Impact Grantmaking cycle and plans to invite selected organizations or collaboratives to apply.
Assets
$1.1B
Grants
1,724
Total Given
$232.3M
The Brown Foundation Inc
Houston, TX
The Brown Foundation funds education, arts and culture, healthcare, human services, and civic assets, with education and the arts as top priorities and public education giving focused almost exclusively on greater Houston. Its 2025 grants ranged from $20,000 to $11 million, with a median of $50,000; it primarily supports Houston organizations and selectively funds distinctive opportunities elsewhere in Texas and beyond.
Assets
$1.1B
Grants
222
Total Given
$84.3M
Laurie and Reed Morian Foundation
Houston, TX
The Laurie and Reed Morian Foundation supports museums and cultural organizations, education, conservation, livestock and rodeo activities, and community organizations, with most 2024 funding going to Texas recipients. Its 2024 grants ranged from $700 to $775,000, with a median of $5,000. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$152.4M
Grants
23
Total Given
$1.4M
The Holthouse Foundation for Kids
Houston, TX
The Holthouse Foundation for Kids supports proactive programs for at-risk youth, especially those focused on life skills, character education, and entrepreneurship. Its 2024 grants ranged from $500 to $420,000, with a median of $10,000; most funding went to Texas, though it also supported organizations elsewhere. It does not accept unsolicited funding requests, but accepts inquiry letters year-round.
Assets
$12.4M
Grants
29
Total Given
$1.1M
The Elkins Foundation
Houston, TX
The Elkins Foundation funds education, healthcare, cultural, community, and religious organizations and projects, especially those serving Houston and the Greater Gulf Coast. Its 2025 grants ranged from about $11,000 to $1.5 million, with a median of $100,000. It accepts unsolicited requests through an online application, due by June 30.
Assets
$206.6M
Grants
76
Total Given
$17.3M
NCRC Community Development Fund Inc
Washington, DC
NCRC Community Development Fund supports affordable housing and homeownership, small businesses—especially minority-owned, women-owned, and low-income businesses—and certain nonprofit programs that provide capital or services to underserved communities. Its listed awards range from $5,000 to $50,000, though typical giving is not stated; it serves communities across the U.S., with some programs focused on Illinois. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$55.6M
Grants
2,666
Total Given
$149.3M
Greater Washington Community Foundation
Washington, DC
The Greater Washington Community Foundation supports nonprofits and community initiatives across areas including education, health, human services, arts, economic development, and workforce development, with a focus on equity and economic justice. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,000 to $9.1 million, with a median of $20,000; it centers its work on DC, Montgomery and Prince George’s counties, and Northern Virginia. It accepts applications through scheduled competitive grant rounds and some solicited, invite-only opportunities; donor-recommended grants are not open to applicants.
Assets
$518.3M
Grants
1,417
Total Given
$116.9M
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
Washington, DC
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation funds competitive projects that conserve or restore fish, wildlife, plants, and habitats, including habitat restoration, species recovery, and coastal and watershed resilience; it does not fund advocacy or litigation. It works across all 50 states and U.S. territories, with a 2024 median grant of $81,584 and awards ranging from $5,169 to $29 million. Applications are made through specific grant programs and their requests for proposals; whether unsolicited requests are accepted is not stated.
Assets
$3.6B
Grants
1,286
Total Given
$464.4M
AARP
Washington, DC
AARP funds organizations working on aging-related issues, including technology access, caregiving, legal services, research, and community programs. Its 2024 grants ranged from $5,020 to $7.4 million, with a median of $15,000; reported grant dollars were concentrated in New York, Washington, DC, and Colorado. The profile does not state whether AARP accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$13.1B
Grants
688
Total Given
$35.8M
Frontstream Global Fund
Washington, DC
FrontStream Global Fund distributes donations raised through workplace giving, corporate philanthropy, and other fundraising activities to donor-designated IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) charities across the United States. Its 2025 grants had a median of $13,714 and ranged from $5,003 to $358,589. It distributes funds according to donor recommendations; unsolicited requests are not addressed in the information provided.
Assets
$421K
Grants
556
Total Given
$13.4M
Corporation for Public Broadcasting
Washington, DC
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting supported public radio and television stations, programming, infrastructure, and related services across the United States. Its 2026 grants had a median of $22,300, though awards ranged widely; CPB’s 2025 filing was marked as its final return, and the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
—
Grants
555
Total Given
$175.8M
The Pew Charitable Trusts
Washington, DC
The Pew Charitable Trusts funds evidence-based work in public policy, research, health, communities, civic life, and conservation, with a particular commitment to Philadelphia and grants across the United States and internationally. Its 2025 median grant was $75,000, though awards ranged widely; applications are invited through specific opportunities, but the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests generally.
Assets
$1.5B
Grants
535
Total Given
$140.6M
More Funders in District of Columbia
The Kevin and Lesley Lilly Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?