The Lemmon Foundation
The Lemmon Foundation is a private foundation, based in San Francisco, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $1.6M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 9 grants totaling $97K. Net investment income was $173K.
The Lemmon Foundation at a glance
In short: The Lemmon Foundation gave $97K across 9 grants in 2025 (avg $11K), top state Maryland. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $96,500
- -22.5% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 9
- -18.2% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $10,722
- -5.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $1,629,049
- +1.5% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Maryland (41% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who The Lemmon Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 9 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Lady Freethinker ($30K). Together the top 9 received $97K.
Grant Size Distribution
51 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 51 grants of 51 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 9 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Lemmon Foundation gives
- Giving grew 101% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 137% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $48K (2022) to $125K (2024). In 2025 it made 9 grants totaling $97K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Lady Freethinker Los Angeles, CA | General Support | $30,000 |
| Wild Earth Allies Chevy Chase, MD | General Support | $25,000 |
| Center for Humane Economy Bethesda, MD | General Support | $15,000 |
| Sea Turtle Conservancy Gainseville, FL | General Support | $10,000 |
| Central Texas Pig Rescue Austin, TX | General Support | $5,000 |
| West Newton Cinema Foundation West Newton, MA | General Support | $5,000 |
| Compassion Works International Henderson, NV | General Support | $4,000 |
| Compassion in World Farming New York City, NY | General Support | $2,000 |
| Wildlife in Crisis Weston, CT | General Support | $500 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,629,049 | $179,032 | $157,656 | $96,500 | 9 | $104,618 | $173,231 | $76,333 |
| 2024 | $1,604,329 | $192,795 | $203,760 | $124,500 | 11 | $195,550 | $186,691 | $78,899 |
| 2023 | $1,675,381 | $36,015 | $170,728 | $98,400 | 15 | $161,440 | $26,727 | $81,095 |
| 2022 | $1,629,211 | $119,796 | $117,800 | $48,000 | 11 | $109,391 | $113,048 | $83,994 |
| 2021 | $1,983,396 | $263,940 | $133,605 | $66,000 | 5 | $126,268 | $256,894 | $88,495 |
| 2020 | $1,795,748 | $94,596 | $128,615 | $64,700 | 9 | — | $88,014 | $79,575 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Lemmon Foundation reported a distributable amount of $76K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Lemmon Foundation is led by Courtney N Lemmon, President on every filing since 2020; 1 of 2 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Courtney N Lemmon
President
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
$29K (2020) → $29K (2025)
John McCrea
Trustee
On filings since 2023
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Peter McCrea (2020–2022) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $29K, to Courtney N Lemmon (President).
Frequently asked questions about The Lemmon Foundation
How much does The Lemmon Foundation give each year?
The Lemmon Foundation gave $97K across 9 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $125K across 11 grants.
What is The Lemmon Foundation's typical grant size?
The Lemmon Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $5,000, and its average grant was $10,722, across 9 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Lemmon Foundation give grants?
The Lemmon Foundation's top state is Maryland, with 41% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were California (31%) and Florida (10%).
Does The Lemmon Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Lemmon Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (9 of 9) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Lemmon Foundation's largest grantees?
The Lemmon Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Lady Freethinker ($30,000), Wild Earth Allies ($25,000) and Center for Humane Economy ($15,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 73% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Lemmon Foundation?
The Lemmon Foundation reported $1.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $105K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $76K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is The Lemmon Foundation's EIN?
The Lemmon Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-4643623. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 5, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Lemmon Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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