The Lewis Prize Foundation Inc logo

The Lewis Prize Foundation Inc

Private foundation · Grantmaker New York, NY EIN: 82-4263697 Website

The Lewis Prize Foundation Inc is a New York, New York-based private foundation that supported Creative Youth Development music organizations in the United States and its territories. Its five-year philanthropic initiative, The Lewis Prize for Music, ran from 2019 to 2024 and invested $20 million in grants, awards, research, and collaborative projects.

The Lewis Prize Foundation Inc at a glance

In short: The Lewis Prize Foundation Inc gave $728 across 2 grants in 2025 (avg $364), mostly in Michigan. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

Annual giving (2025)
$728
-100.0% vs 2024
Grants made (2025)
2
-92.0% vs 2024
Average grant
$364
-99.4% vs 2024
Median grant
$364
Primary geography
Michigan (50% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.

How to apply to The Lewis Prize Foundation Inc

Accepts unsolicited proposals
No
How to Apply

The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. It has wound down, so the past application information is not a current funding opportunity.

Contact

Mailing address: Co Anchin - 3 Times Square, New York, NY 10036
Phone: (305) 443-1744
Website: https://thelewisprize.org

Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Who The Lewis Prize Foundation Inc funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 2 recipients in 2025

Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit: $364Mosaic Youth Theatre ofDetroit$364The David's Harp Foundation: $364The David's Harp Foundation$364

The largest 2025 recipient was Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit ($364). Together the top 2 received $728.

Grant Size Distribution

244 grants across all recorded years

192<$50K25$50–100K21$100–250K3$250–500K3$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 192 grants of 244 (79%).

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The initiative supported CYD music organizations across the United States and its territories. The two distributions listed on the 2025 filing went to organizations in Michigan and Oregon.

Grant Distribution by State

39states

Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 2 itemized grants.

Cities

DetroitPhiladelphiaLos AngelesMiamiNew OrleansPortlandAnn ArborNewarkSaint LouisChicagoMemphisJamaica PlainOaklandProvidenceAugustaBrownsvilleHoustonLouisvilleMontclairNew York

How The Lewis Prize Foundation Inc gives

  • Giving fell 100% from 2022 to 2025. Method
  • In 2025 it paid out well above 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

$0$1M$2M$3M$4M56 grants2020 58 grants2021 81 grants2022 78 grants2023 25 grants2024 2 grants2025

From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $728 (2025) to $3.6M (2023). In 2025 it made 2 grants totaling $728.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit Detroit, MIFudn Music Education$364
The David's Harp Foundation Portland, ORFund Music Education$364
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Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Figures from IRS filings, by filing year
Filing yearTotal AssetsRevenueExpensesGrants paidGrantsQualifying DistributionsNet Investment IncomeDistributable Amount
2025—$766$13,666$7282$13,666$4$84
2024$12,900$2,881,173$3,577,395$1,484,35525$3,561,735$953,830$38,329
2023$1,596,428$5,715,607$5,126,531$3,621,47578$5,121,153$1,706,572$123,195
2022$1,068,381$185,589$3,306,347$2,099,51181$3,270,896$170,138$125,422
2021$3,910,055$1,823,525$2,149,903$1,202,81558$2,118,903$2,464,497$182,330
2020$4,176,399$6,034,470$2,904,278$2,029,58356—$1,074,081$24,676

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Lewis Prize Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $84 for 2025 — 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’s stated mission was to partner with leaders creating positive change by investing in young people through music. Its initiative aimed to advance equitable access to music and arts education and support Creative Youth Development (CYD) organizations working toward positive systems change.

The foundation’s website described eligible organizations as providing ongoing, out-of-school music opportunities for young people, with music making up at least half of participants’ program time. As an example of the kinds of organizations it supported, Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit described its own mission as empowering young people through professional performing arts training and the creation of theatrical and musical art.

Grantmaking

The foundation reported 78 grants totaling $3,621,475 in 2023 and 25 grants totaling $1,484,355 in 2024. Its 2025 filing lists two distributions of $364 each, totaling $728. The filing identifies these as distributions of remaining assets during liquidation—not a continuing grant program: Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit in Michigan and The David’s Harp Foundation in Oregon.

The foundation’s website described Accelerator Awards of $500,000 each, with applicants also eligible for funding of $15,000 to $75,000. The 2024 application cycle is past: applications were open March 24 through June 2, 2023, and the application page states that submissions are closed.

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The foundation’s 2025 filing lists Daniel R. Lewis as president and Rebecca Fishman Lipsey, Maria Lopez de Leon, and Stefon Harris as directors.

The Lewis Prize Foundation Inc is led by Daniel R. Lewis, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 4 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.

Officers on the 2025 filing

  • Daniel R. Lewis

    President

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Rebecca Fishman Lipsey

    Director

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Maria Lopez De Leon

    Director

    On filings since 2024

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Stefon Harris

    Director

    On filings since 2024

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

Former officers (2)
  • Former: David Horvitz (2020–2023) — Director
  • Former: Valerie Dillon (2020–2021) — Director

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.

Frequently asked questions about The Lewis Prize Foundation Inc

How much does The Lewis Prize Foundation Inc give each year?

The Lewis Prize Foundation Inc gave $728 across 2 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $1.5M across 25 grants.

What does The Lewis Prize Foundation Inc fund?

The foundation’s stated mission was to partner with leaders creating positive change by investing in young people through music. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from The Lewis Prize Foundation Inc?

The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑

Where does The Lewis Prize Foundation Inc make grants?

The initiative supported CYD music organizations across the United States and its territories. The two distributions listed on the 2025 filing went to organizations in Michigan and Oregon.

How much is The Lewis Prize Foundation Inc required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2025, The Lewis Prize Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $84 on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

What is The Lewis Prize Foundation Inc's EIN?

The Lewis Prize Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 82-4263697. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.

Does The Lewis Prize Foundation Inc 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

(2)

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 13, 2026)
  2. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in The Lewis Prize Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Funders that support many of the same organizations

D'Addario Foundation Inc

Farmingdale, NY

The D’Addario Foundation supports nonprofit programs that expand access to free or affordable music education, especially for children and communities with limited resources, including through cash and instrument-related grants. Its 2024 awards ranged from $264 to $20,000, with a median of $2,264; it supports organizations globally. It accepts letters of inquiry on a rolling basis from eligible first-time applicants, but formal proposals are by invitation after review.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$1.5M

Grants

202

Total Given

$518K

The Carnegie Hall Corporation

New York, NY

The Carnegie Hall Corporation funds arts programming, including music education and youth music organizations, with grants typically around $25,000; its 2025 awards ranged from $14,500 to $120,400. Grants went to organizations across the United States. The available information does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Assets

$663.5M

Grants

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Total Given

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The Elma Music Foundation (US)

New York, NY

The ELMA Music Foundation funds music and arts education, youth development, scholarships, and programs supporting musicians and communities in the United States and South Africa. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,000 to $223,212, with a median of $50,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests and gives only to preselected organizations.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$2.6M

Grants

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Total Given

$1.9M

Silicon Valley Community Foundation

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Silicon Valley Community Foundation funds work in areas such as housing, economic security, education, health, the environment, arts and culture, and civic engagement, with Community Action Grants supporting local, community-led organizations in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Its 2024 grants had a median of $51,716, though amounts varied widely; applications depend on the program, and SVCF states that it does not accept unsolicited proposals for advised funds.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$12.3B

Grants

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Total Given

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The Chicago Community Trust

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The Chicago Community Trust funds eligible nonprofits working to narrow the wealth gap and meet urgent needs, with priorities including economic mobility, education, jobs, homeownership, and community development in metropolitan Chicago and Cook County. Its 2025 grants had a median of $26,500, though amounts varied widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Assets

$7.1B

Grants

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Total Given

$1.2B

The Ford Foundation

New York, NY

The Ford Foundation funds organizations and initiatives working to reduce inequality and advance social justice, including work on civic engagement, civil rights, climate justice, disability rights, and technology and society. In 2024, its grants ranged from $45 to $15 million, with a median of $100,000, supporting work in the U.S. and internationally. It says most grants are identified by the foundation and it does not accept unsolicited proposals by mail, email, or phone; limited opportunities may be offered separately.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$17.5B

Grants

4,007

Total Given

$844.7M

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Cite this profile

Grantable. (2026). The Lewis Prize Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-lewis-prize-foundation-inc-morg_5a78354aa2784c77896c1e35c2cda2b8

BibTeX
@misc{grantable_824263697_2026,
  author       = {{Grantable}},
  title        = {{The Lewis Prize Foundation Inc funder profile}},
  howpublished = {GrantGraph},
  year         = {2026},
  url          = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-lewis-prize-foundation-inc-morg_5a78354aa2784c77896c1e35c2cda2b8},
  note         = {Accessed 2026-10-16. 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 Lewis Prize Foundation Inc'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.

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