The Lyons Family Foundation
The Lyons Family Foundation is a private foundation based in New York, New York. It reported 14 grants totaling $114,642 in 2024, supporting charitable organizations including a congregation, educational institutions, and organizations providing health, social-welfare, and other services.
The Lyons Family Foundation at a glance
In short: The Lyons Family Foundation gave $115K across 14 grants in 2024 (avg $8K), mostly in New York. 21% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $114,642
- +24.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 14
- -36.4% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $8,189
- +96.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $1,000
- Total assets
- $216,671
- -38.2% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 21% first-time grantees (3 of 14, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- New York (79% 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 Lyons Family Foundation
- 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.
- Contact
Mailing address: 225 West 83Rd Street Unit 3Q, New York, NY 10024
Phone: (212) 729-1389
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Lyons Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Congregation Zwihel of Monsey ($70K). Together the top 10 received $113K.
Grant Size Distribution
98 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 97 grants of 98 (99%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 79% of grant dollars went to recipients in New York, 11% to Florida, 5% to New Jersey, and 5% to California.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 14 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Lyons Family Foundation open to new grantees?
21%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 3 of 14 grantees (21%) were first-time recipients. With only 14 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 7 points. First grants averaged $24K; repeat grants $4K. How we count
Medians: $1K first-time, $1K repeat.
- 57% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 53% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 $51K (2020) to $115K (2024). In 2024 it made 14 grants totaling $115K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Congregation Zwihel of Monsey Monsey, NY | Support | $70,000 |
| Touro University New York, NY | Support | $15,372 |
| Young Israel of Boca Raton Boca Raton, FL | Support | $12,500 |
| Yavneh Academy Paramus, NJ | Support | $5,000 |
| Gindi Maimonides Academy Los Angeles, CA | Support | $4,750 |
| Bikur Cholim of Manhattan New York, NY | Support | $1,000 |
| Chai Life Line New York, NY | Support | $1,000 |
| Sharsheret Teaneck, NJ | Support | $1,000 |
| Zichron Shlomo Brooklyn, NY | Support | $1,000 |
| Love N Groceries Beverly Hills, CA | Support | $1,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Lyons Family 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 | $216,671 | $38,395 | $172,467 | $114,642 | 14 | $140,467 | $6,395 | $14,043 |
| 2023 | $350,743 | $85,716 | $142,888 | $91,834 | 22 | $115,834 | — | $18,442 |
| 2022 | $407,915 | $68,650 | $139,118 | $85,494 | 21 | $109,094 | — | $22,033 |
| 2021 | $478,383 | $89,737 | $124,711 | $75,048 | 21 | $97,498 | $62,524 | $29,279 |
| 2020 | $513,357 | $31,132 | $85,909 | $50,760 | 20 | — | $11,298 | $28,946 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Lyons Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $14K 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
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants went to organizations whose stated work includes education, support for people affected by illness, assistance to widows, and social-welfare and education programs. For example, Touro University describes its work as graduate and professional education in health sciences, public health, and education. Bikur Cholim of Manhattan says it assists sick and elderly people with medical expenses, meals, patient advocacy, and family support. Love N Groceries says it provides financial support and necessities to widows. Sharsheret describes its work as support, education, financial assistance, and genetic counseling for people affected by or at increased genetic risk of breast and ovarian cancer. Emunah of America says it supports the activities of Emunah of Israel, which provides social-welfare and education programs.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 14 grants totaling $114,642. Grants ranged from $360 to $70,000, with a median grant of $1,000. Its largest reported grants were $70,000 to Congregation Zwihel of Monsey, $15,372 to Touro University, $12,500 to Young Israel of Boca Raton, $5,000 to Yavneh Academy, and $4,750 to Gindi Maimonides Academy. Each was listed with the purpose “SUPPORT.”
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists:
- Avi Lyons — Managing Dir
- Jenny Buchman — Executive Direc
- Simcha Lyons — Trustee
The Lyons Family Foundation is led by Jenny Buchman, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 2 of 3 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Jenny Buchman
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Avi Lyons
Managing Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$4K (2020) → $24K (2024)
Simcha Lyons
Trustee
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
$24K (2020) → $24K (2024)
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 $24K, to AVI Lyons (Managing Dir). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Lyons Family Foundation
How much does The Lyons Family Foundation give each year?
The Lyons Family Foundation gave $115K across 14 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $92K across 22 grants.
What is The Lyons Family Foundation's typical grant size?
The Lyons Family Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $1,000, and its average grant was $8,189, across 14 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Lyons Family Foundation that year got $24K on average.
Where does The Lyons Family Foundation give grants?
The Lyons Family Foundation gives mostly in New York: 79% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Florida (11%) and New Jersey (5%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (6 grants) and Brooklyn, NY (2 grants).
Does The Lyons Family Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 14 grants with a stated purpose on The Lyons Family Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Support" (14 grants).
Who are The Lyons Family Foundation's largest grantees?
The Lyons Family Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Congregation Zwihel of Monsey ($70,000), Touro University ($15,372) and Young Israel of Boca Raton ($12,500), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 85% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Lyons Family Foundation?
The Lyons Family Foundation reported $217K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $140K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $14K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Lyons Family Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants went to organizations whose stated work includes education, support for people affected by illness, assistance to widows, and social-welfare and education programs. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Lyons Family Foundation?
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 ↑
What is The Lyons Family Foundation's EIN?
The Lyons Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 43-6774681. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Lyons Family 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
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 11, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 11, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS June 13, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Lyons Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Foundation Q
Brooklyn, NY
Assets
$1.4M
Grants
23
Total Given
$623K
Mutual of America Foundation
New York, NY
Assets
$136K
Grants
539
Total Given
$839K
Granit Foundation
Brooklyn, NY
Assets
$521K
Grants
70
Total Given
$244K
Kolatch Family Foundation
Englewood, NJ
The Kolatch Family Foundation supports organizations working in education, Jewish communal and religious life, financial services, and healthcare, with 2025 grants mainly in Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey. Its 68 grants ranged from $36 to $4.5 million, with a median of $10,000. It gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$116.4M
Grants
68
Total Given
$6.9M
Marisa & Richard Stadtmauer Family
Florham Park, NJ
The Marisa & Richard Stadtmauer Family supports varied charitable organizations, including Jewish institutions, education, and health-related services, primarily in New York and New Jersey. In 2025, grants ranged from $120 to $40,500, with a median of $3,600. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$5.1M
Grants
39
Total Given
$350K
The Mermelstein Foundation
New York, NY
The Mermelstein Foundation supports Jewish education, religious learning, community services, and humanitarian needs. Its 2025 grants ranged from $100 to $19,825, with a median of $1,000; most funding went to organizations in New York, with some support in New Jersey and other states. It funds only preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$189K
Grants
46
Total Given
$141K
More similar funders
More Funders in New York
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Lyons Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-lyons-family-foundation-morg_fd7f1e0114a04c6090e4a4cc730a3410
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_436774681_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Lyons Family Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-lyons-family-foundation-morg_fd7f1e0114a04c6090e4a4cc730a3410},
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 Lyons Family 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 Lyons Family Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?