The Lerner Foundation
The Lerner Foundation is a private foundation established in 1993 in Ohio and based in Richmond Heights (also referenced as Highland Heights), Ohio. Founded by Alfred and Norma Lerner, the foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization with tax-exempt status since August 1993. The foundation maintains a low profile and generally makes grants to preselected organizations with which it maintains ongoing relationships.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$2.2M
-26.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.4M
-22.8% YoY
Grant Count
20
-16.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$69K
-7.3% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation primarily supports:
- Jewish causes (largest giving area in recent years)
- Medical care and health
- Arts and culture
- Education
- Economic opportunity and economic development
- Human services
The Cleveland area represents the foundation's main geographic priority, with more than half of all grantmaking staying in the Cleveland region.
Grantmaking
The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. It operates on an invite-only basis and is difficult to approach. Organizations interested in funding should network with foundation staff, particularly Cleveland-area organizations working in Jewish causes, human services, or economic development.
Grant Range
$20,000
Average Grant
approximately $68,500
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds initiatives across multiple U.S. cities and states, including:
Cities: Beachwood, Berea, Brooklyn, Chesterland, Cleveland, Forest Hills, Independence, Los Angeles, Mayfield, New York, Northbrook, Peoria, Princeton, Shaker Heights, Washington, and West Orange
States: California, District of Columbia, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, and Ohio
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (Most Recent Data):
- Total assets: $2.2–$3.0 million
- Total annual giving: $1.8 million
- Total expenses: $1.39–$1.84 million
- Revenue: $142,410 (2024)
- Giving rate: 59% of assets
Background: The foundation was founded by Alfred Lerner, who at the time of his death in 2002 was Chairman of MBNA Bank and owner of the Cleveland Browns. He had invested $100 million in MBNA's initial public offering. Bank of America acquired MBNA for $35 billion in 2005.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $2,221,492 | $3,028,691 | $3,136,043 |
| Revenue | $142,410 | $1,733,319 | $2,108,829 |
| Expenses | $1,394,070 | $1,840,137 | $1,651,961 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,392,800 | $1,792,955 | $1,650,221 |
| Net Investment Income | $8,075 | $186,137 | $2,107,089 |
| Distributable Amount | $51,757 | $103,792 | $125,894 |
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
104 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
- Norma Lerner – President and Treasurer
- Randolph Lerner – Vice President
- Nancy Lerner – Vice President
- Douglas C. Jacobs – Secretary
None of the officers receive compensation for their roles.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| NORMA LERNER | PRESIDENT/TREASURER | — | — |
| RANDOLPH LERNER | VICE PRESIDENT | — | — |
| NANCY LERNER | VICE PRESIDENT | — | — |
| DANIEL PEARSON | Secretary | — | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation does not maintain a public website, restricting information about its grantmaking priorities and activities. It maintains a restricted information profile and is characterized as having limited transparency regarding its operations and funding opportunities.
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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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