The Lazar Foundation
The Lazar Foundation is a private foundation dedicated to funding innovative and strategic projects that protect the environment in the Pacific Northwest. Incorporated in 1956 and based in Black Butte Ranch, Oregon, the foundation operates as a family foundation with a focused mission on environmental conservation and advocacy.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$16.2M
-6.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$913K
+1.4% YoY
Grant Count
44
+10.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$21K
-7.8% YoY
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.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Lazar Foundation's mission centers on environmental protection in the Pacific Northwest. The foundation's specific areas of interest include:
- Conservation of large, biologically significant terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems
- Preservation of biological diversity
- Projects that broaden the environmental movement
- Projects that strengthen or increase the capacity of the environmental movement's ability to develop, shape, and communicate its message
The foundation occasionally makes grants based on trustee interests outside the primary environmental program area.
Grantmaking
The foundation does not accept proposals for:
Grant Range
$1,000 to $100,000
Review Cycle
April 1st and October 1st (two cycles per year)
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds projects in the Pacific Northwest, with specific focus on:
- Idaho
- Oregon
- Washington
The foundation also makes grants in Virginia and Texas based on trustee interests.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total assets: $17,344,332
- Total giving: $831,406 to $901,000
- Total revenues: $597,192
- Total expenses: $1,318,154
- Investment income and dividends: $556,132
- Number of employees: 1
- Giving rate: 5.2% of assets
Historical Comparison (2022):
- Total assets: $18,100,000
- Total giving: $954,000
- Number of grants: 40
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $16,164,269 | $17,344,332 | $18,065,294 |
| Revenue | $217,341 | $597,192 | $663,258 |
| Expenses | $1,397,404 | $1,318,154 | $1,409,732 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,133,053 | $1,072,291 | $1,131,885 |
| Net Investment Income | — | $351,329 | $410,411 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,189,154 | $1,109,031 | $1,109,328 |
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
207 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Central Oregon Land Watch ($50,000), Wild Salmon Center ($50,000), Piedmont Environmental Council ($45,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1000 FRIENDS OF OREGON PORTLAND, OR | WILDFIRE PROGRAM | $15,000 |
| 350PDX PORTLAND, OR | FOREST CLIMATE PROGRAM | $15,000 |
| ADVOCATES FOR THE WEST BOISE, ID | SAGEBRUSH SEA PROGRAM | $25,000 |
| AMERICAN FORESTS WASHINGTON, DC | NORTH AMERICAN FOREST CONGRESS | $10,000 |
| BARK PORTLAND, OR | FOREST DEFENSE | $10,000 |
| BEYOND TOXICS EUGENE, OR | FOREST PROGRAM | $15,000 |
| BIODIVERSITY FOUNDERS GROUP SAN FRANCISCO, CA | MEMBERSHIP SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| BIRD ALLIANCE OF OREGON PORTLAND, OR | OREGON OCEAN PROGRAM | $40,000 |
| CASCADE HEAD BIOSPHERE COLLABORATIVE LINCOLN CITY, OR | COMMUNITY SCIENCE | $15,000 |
| CASCADIA WILDLANDS EUGENE, OR | OREGON FOREST DEFENSE | $35,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- William B. Lazar – President
- Jeanne L. Morency – Trustee
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| WILLIAM B LAZAR AND FNDT MGMT GRP | PRESIDENT | 40 | $116,000 |
| JEANNE L MORENCY | SECRETARY | 2 | — |
| MATTHEW M MORENCY | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| JACK H LAZAR | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| RITA E MORENCY | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| REBECCA E LAZAR | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| LOUIS COOPER LAZAR | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
Contact Information
- Website: lazarfoundation.org
- Phone: 503-784-8332
- Address: PO Box 8000, PMB 8083, Black Butte Ranch, OR 97759-8000
- EIN: 13-6088182
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Lazar Foundation fund?
The Lazar Foundation's mission centers on environmental protection in the Pacific Northwest. The foundation's specific areas of interest include: • Conservation of large, biologically significant terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems • Preservation of biological diversity • Projects that broaden the environmental movement • Projects that strengthen or increase the capacity of the environmental movement's ability to develop, shape, and communicate its message The foundation occasionally makes grant…
How do I apply for a grant from The Lazar Foundation?
**Grant Characteristics:** • Annual giving: $700,000 to $800,000 • Typical grant range: $1,000 to $100,000 • Median grant size: $25,000 • Number of grants awarded annually: 36-40 grants **Application Process:** • All proposals are accepted by direct invitation only • No Letter of Inquiry process currently available • Grant deadlines: April 1st and October 1st (two cycles per year) • Full proposals must be submitted through the foundation's application portal • Early submissions are encouraged *…
Where does The Lazar Foundation make grants?
The foundation funds projects in the Pacific Northwest, with specific focus on: • Idaho • Oregon • Washington The foundation also makes grants in Virginia and Texas based on trustee interests.
What size grants does The Lazar Foundation award?
In 2024, The Lazar Foundation awarded 44 grants totaling $913K — an average of about $21K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Lazar Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Lazar Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.2M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Lazar 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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