The Lazar Foundation
The Lazar Foundation is a private foundation based in Black Butte Ranch, Oregon. It funds environmental projects, with stated interests in protecting large, biologically significant ecosystems and biodiversity in the Pacific Northwest, and in strengthening the environmental movement.
The Lazar Foundation at a glance
In short: The Lazar Foundation gave $913K across 44 grants in 2024 (avg $21K), mostly in Oregon. 12% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $913,006
- +1.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 44
- +10.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $20,750
- -7.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $20,000
- Total assets
- $16,164,269
- -6.8% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 12% first-time grantees (5 of 43, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Oregon (75% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Lazar Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Invitation Only
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Proposals are accepted by direct invitation only; there is no Letter of Inquiry process. The website directs invited applicants to its application portal, while the 2024 filing says applications must be submitted by email.
- Review Cycle
- Full proposals are due no later than April 1 or October 1; the website says grants are awarded twice a year and encourages early submissions.
- Deadline
- Full proposals are due no later than April 1 or October 1; the website says grants are awarded twice a year and…
- Contact
Application contact: William B Lazar
Mailing address: PO Box 8000 Pmb 8083, Black Butte Ranch, OR 97759-8000
Phone: (503) 784-8332
Email: info@lazarfoundation.org
Website: https://lazarfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Lazar Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Central Oregon Land Watch ($50K). Together the top 10 received $420K.
Grant Size Distribution
207 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 195 grants of 207 (94%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation states that its environmental interests are in the Pacific Northwest. In filing year 2024, Oregon recipients received 75% of grant dollars, Virginia recipients 11%, New York 4%, and Idaho and California 3% each.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 44 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Lazar Foundation open to new grantees?
12%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 5 of 43 grantees (12%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $20K; repeat grants $21K. How we count
Medians: $15K first-time, $20K repeat.
- 79% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+1%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 95% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $840K (2020) to $954K (2022). In 2024 it made 44 grants totaling $913K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Central Oregon Land Watch Bend, OR | Land Use Program | $50,000 |
| Wild Salmon Center Portland, OR | Forest Program | $50,000 |
| Piedmont Environmental Council Warrenton, VA | Virgina Land Preservation | $45,000 |
| Southern Environmental Law Center Charlottesville, VA | Virginia Program | $45,000 |
| Bird Alliance of Oregon Portland, OR | Oregon Ocean Program | $40,000 |
| Oregon Natural Desert Association Bend, OR | Oregon Desert Conservation | $40,000 |
| Cascadia Wildlands Eugene, OR | Oregon Forest Defense | $35,000 |
| Center for Reproductive Rights New York, NY | U.S. Program | $35,000 |
| Friends of the Owyhee Ontario, OR | General Support | $35,000 |
| Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands Center Ashland, OR | Forest Watch Program | $35,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Lazar Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $16,164,269 | $217,341 | $1,397,404 | $913,006 | 44 | $1,133,053 | — | $1,189,154 |
| 2023 | $17,344,332 | $597,192 | $1,318,154 | $900,601 | 40 | $1,072,291 | $351,329 | $1,109,031 |
| 2022 | $18,065,294 | $663,258 | $1,409,732 | $953,628 | 43 | $1,131,885 | $410,411 | $1,109,328 |
| 2021 | $18,811,768 | $1,772,297 | $1,322,523 | $904,905 | 43 | $1,082,198 | $1,521,972 | $1,185,980 |
| 2020 | $18,361,994 | $822,150 | $1,248,577 | $840,328 | 37 | — | $610,858 | $998,689 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Lazar Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.2M for 2024 — 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 lists interests in conserving large terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, preserving biological diversity, broadening the environmental movement, and strengthening the movement’s ability to develop, shape, and communicate its message.
Its 2024 grants included support for organizations working on forests, oceans, deserts, land use, and reproductive rights. The grantees describe their own work in varied terms: Wild Salmon Center says it promotes conservation and sustainable use of wild salmon ecosystems across the Pacific Rim; Bird Alliance of Oregon says it focuses on protecting native birds, other wildlife, and their habitats; and Oregon Natural Desert Association says it protects, defends, and restores Oregon’s high desert landscapes. Go Alliance describes its work as public education on fire safety, forests, water, climate, and science.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 44 grants totaling $913,006. Individual grants ranged from $9 to $50,000, with a median of $20,000. Among the largest were $50,000 to Central Oregon Land Watch for its land use program and $50,000 to Wild Salmon Center for its forest program; $45,000 each to Piedmont Environmental Council for Virginia land preservation and Southern Environmental Law Center for its Virginia program; and $40,000 each to Bird Alliance of Oregon for its Oregon ocean program and Oregon Natural Desert Association for Oregon desert conservation.
The foundation’s website says it does not accept Letters of Interest or uninvited proposals and accepts full proposals only by invitation. It directs invited applicants to use its application portal. The 2024 filing states that applications must be submitted by email and directs applicants to the organization’s website for forms and materials. The website lists restrictions including toxics, land acquisition or land trusts, environmental education, individuals, computer-related expenses, civic projects, endowments, and capital campaigns. It says the foundation usually does not fund film or video, urban or suburban projects, or conservation-based scientific research, except rarely when it directly supports a currently funded project.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists William B Lazar and Fndt Mgmt Grp as president; Jeanne L Morency as secretary; and Matthew M Morency, Jack H Lazar, Rita E Morency, Rebecca E Lazar, and Louis Cooper Lazar as trustees.
The Lazar Foundation is led by William B. Lazar And Fndt Mgmt Grp, President on every filing since 2020; 1 of 7 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
William B. Lazar And Fndt Mgmt Grp
President
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$96K (2020) → $116K (2024)
Jack H. Lazar
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Louis Cooper Lazar
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Matthew M. Morency
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rebecca E. Lazar
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rita E. Morency
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeanne L. Morency
Secretary
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Michael Morency (2020–2023) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $116K, to William B Lazar and FNDT Mgmt Grp (President).
Frequently asked questions about The Lazar Foundation
How much does The Lazar Foundation give each year?
The Lazar Foundation gave $913K across 44 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $901K across 40 grants.
What is The Lazar Foundation's typical grant size?
The Lazar Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $20,000, and its average grant was $20,750, across 44 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Lazar Foundation that year got $20K on average.
Where does The Lazar Foundation give grants?
The Lazar Foundation gives mostly in Oregon: 75% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Virginia (11%). The most frequent recipient cities were Portland, OR (14 grants), Houston, TX (4 grants), Bend, OR (3 grants) and Eugene, OR (3 grants).
Does The Lazar Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 30% of The Lazar Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (13 of 44) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Oregon Ocean Program" (3 grants).
Who are The Lazar Foundation's largest grantees?
The Lazar Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Central Oregon Land Watch ($50,000), Wild Salmon Center ($50,000) and Oregon Wild ($45,000 across 2 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 16% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Lazar Foundation?
The Lazar Foundation reported $16.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.1M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.2M (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 Lazar Foundation fund?
The foundation lists interests in conserving large terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, preserving biological diversity, broadening the environmental movement, and strengthening the movement’s ability to develop, shape, and communicate its message. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Lazar Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Lazar Foundation's EIN?
The Lazar Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-6088182. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Lazar Foundation 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
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Lazar Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
The Oregon Community Foundation
Portland, OR
The Oregon Community Foundation funds Oregon nonprofits and community-serving projects across education, health, arts and culture, housing, economic and community vitality, and the environment. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,000, with awards ranging from about $5,000 to nearly $8 million; applications are accepted through specific grant programs and cycles, but the profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$3.3B
Grants
2,149
Total Given
$171.4M
The Burning Foundation
Seattle, WA
The Burning Foundation funds habitat conservation in Washington and Oregon and evidence-based teen pregnancy prevention projects in the region. Its 2025 grants ranged from $10,000 to $30,000, with a median of $20,000; it accepts online letters of interest in spring and fall cycles.
Assets
$13.3M
Grants
56
Total Given
$1.1M
Meyer Memorial Trust
Portland, OR
Meyer Memorial Trust funds community-led work advancing racial, social, and economic justice, including efforts in education, climate, community economies, and support for Black, Native, immigrant, and refugee communities. Its 2025 grants had a median of $100,000, and 93% of grant dollars went to Oregon recipients. It offers open and invited opportunities, but says it will not open a general application call in 2026; check its website for current opportunities.
Assets
$901.2M
Grants
388
Total Given
$45.2M
Patagoniaorg
Ventura, CA
PATAGONIAORG funds environmental organizations and projects addressing root causes of environmental problems, including place-based protection, environmental campaigns, and broader inclusion in the movement. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,000 to $5,174,555, with a median of $15,000, and funding was concentrated in Virginia and California, with grants also reported in Oregon and Colorado. It does not accept unsolicited requests and gives only to preselected organizations.
Assets
—
Grants
425
Total Given
$13.2M
Wilburforce Foundation
Seattle, WA
Wilburforce Foundation funds science-driven land, water, and wildlife conservation, habitat connectivity, conservation policy, and grantee capacity in priority regions across Western North America, including parts of the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Its 2024 grants ranged from $1,000 to $800,000, with a median of $50,000. Applicants should speak with the appropriate program officer before developing a proposal; unsolicited requests are not explicitly addressed.
Assets
$153.3M
Grants
225
Total Given
$19.3M
Jubitz Family Foundation
Portland, OR
The Jubitz Family Foundation funds peacebuilding and nonviolent approaches to conflict, environmental peacebuilding, and protection and restoration of forests and freshwater habitats around Mount Hood, with particular interest in Pacific Northwest work involving Tribal Nations. Its typical one-year grants are $5,000–$25,000, and 2025 awards ranged from $1,000 to $35,000. Proposals are invitation-only; new organizations must first submit a Letter of Inquiry.
Assets
$17.4M
Grants
43
Total Given
$454K
More similar funders
More Funders in Oregon
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Lazar Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-lazar-foundation-morg_4ccb2945859d4c45a1341b2afc374b12
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_136088182_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Lazar Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-lazar-foundation-morg_4ccb2945859d4c45a1341b2afc374b12},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from The Lazar Foundation'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.
The Lazar Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?