The Lauren and Lee Fixel Family
The Lauren and Lee Fixel Family Foundation is a private family foundation established around 2010 and incorporated in Delaware. The foundation maintains a low public profile and does not operate a public website or accept unsolicited grant applications. Based in Nashville, Tennessee, the foundation operates without paid staff, with both Lauren and Lee Fixel serving as unpaid directors.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$8.6M
+15.7% YoY
Grant Count
24
+26.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$358K
-8.4% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation focuses on two primary areas:
Neurological Disease Research — The foundation's largest giving area concentrates on neurology, with specific focus on Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease, Lewy body dementia, ALS, and dystonia. The foundation also supports research related to traumatic brain injuries. Lee Fixel's personal connection to Parkinson's disease through his father, Norman Fixel, who was diagnosed over two decades ago, has shaped the foundation's significant commitment to neuroscience research.
Jewish Education and Community Organizations — The foundation supports Jewish causes and organizations, with particular concentration in New York.
The foundation also funds public health and K-12 education initiatives.
Grantmaking
Grant Range
is $150,000, with an average grant size of approximately $358,000.
Average Grant
of approximately $358,000.
Invitation Only
** The foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications. It operates on an invitation-only basis. A connection to the family or a past grantee is likely the only way to approach the foundation.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation maintains a national geographic focus with a stated preference for New York. Grantmaking clusters in Florida and New York City, with additional activity in California.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets: $4,209,578 (2024); $11,448,924 (2023)
Annual Giving: $8,629,128 (2024); $7,415,073 (2023); $7,435,142 (2023 expenses)
Revenue: $864,574 (2024); $5,402,078 (2023)
Expenses: $8,629,128 (2024)
The foundation maintains an active giving program that exceeds its asset base, demonstrating the founders' commitment to strategic philanthropy.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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
97 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Lauren Fixel — Director (5 hours per week, unpaid)
Lee Fixel — Director (5 hours per week, unpaid). Lee Fixel is a prominent venture capitalist who served as a partner at Tiger Global Management before founding the venture capital firm Addition in 2020.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAUREN FIXEL | DIRECTOR | 5 | — |
| LEE FIXEL | DIRECTOR | 5 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In 2019, the Lauren and Lee Fixel Family Foundation announced a $20 million commitment to the University of Florida in support of establishing the Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases at UF Health. This gift was matched by $20 million from the university. The institute focuses on advancing research, technological innovation, and clinical care for Parkinson's and other neurodegenerative diseases.
Lauren & Lee Fixel Family Foundation established the Charlotte and Howard\The foundation has established multiple endowed positions at the University of Florida, including:
Lauren & Lee Fixel Family Foundation established the Charlotte and Howard\The Fixel Brain Mapping Professorship at the J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering (established 2021)
Lauren & Lee Fixel Family Foundation established the Charlotte and Howard\The Charlotte and Howard Zimmerman Rising Star Professorship for Dr. Stefan Prokop at the Norman Fixel Institute (established 2024)
Lauren & Lee Fixel Family Foundation established the Charlotte and Howard\The Fixel Scholars Endowment supporting fellowships and postdoctoral researchers focused on Parkinson's disease
The foundation also supported the launch of the Food and Agriculture Research Mission at Washington University in St. Louis.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
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Similar funders by location and focus area
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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