The Reginald F Lewis Foundation Inc
The Reginald F Lewis Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in New York, NY, designated as a 501(c)(3) organization. Founded in 1987 by pioneering financier and entrepreneur Reginald F. Lewis, the foundation operates as one of the largest African-American private foundations in the world. The foundation is committed to economic and social justice, particularly for African-American youth, and works to redress the consequences and legacy of institutional discrimination by investing in youth and expanding opportunity.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$24.1M
+3.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$614K
-2.1% YoY
Grant Count
61
+27.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$10K
-22.9% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Reginald F Lewis Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $1.4M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to be a force for economic and social justice in the United States and beyond, particularly for African-American youth. The foundation is inspired by the vision of its founder, Reginald F. Lewis, who demonstrated a strategic perspective on addressing challenges and potential for progress among economically, socially, and politically oppressed communities.
Primary focus areas include:
- Education
- Arts and culture
- Children and youth
- Libraries and public libraries
- Information and communications
- Community development
- Human services
- Philanthropy and voluntarism
Grantmaking
The foundation has distributed significant resources throughout its history. As of December 2019, the Reginald F. Lewis Foundation had given away $30 million in grants since inception.
Review Cycle
.
Ready to take the next step with The Reginald F Lewis Foundation Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation supports projects across numerous cities and states in the United States, including:
- New York
- Maryland
- California
- Los Angeles
- Washington, D.C.
- And additional locations across the country
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year 2024:
- Total assets: $24,140,280
- Total revenues: $1,828,355
- Total expenses: $1,063,847
- Investment income and dividends: $489,610
As of Fiscal Year 2023:
- Total assets: $23.4 million
- Total revenues: $926,000
- Total expenses: $1.32 million
- Total liabilities: $0
Staffing:
- 1 employee (as of 2024)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $24,140,280 | $23,375,772 | $23,773,636 |
| Revenue | $1,828,355 | $926,148 | $2,670,360 |
| Expenses | $1,063,847 | $1,324,012 | $2,692,772 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $877,518 | $1,124,568 | $2,404,562 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,633,571 | $740,496 | $2,421,691 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,426,197 | $1,346,751 | $1,592,601 |
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
198 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include The Barack Obama Foundation ($180,000), Cristo Rey Jesuit High School ($32,000), Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater ($25,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ALPHA HOCKEY INC ELLICOTT CITY, MD | SUPPORT CHILDREN'S ATHLETIC PROGRAM | $2,000 |
| ALVIN AILEY AMERICAN DANCE THEATER NEW YORK, NY | SUPPORT THE AILEY DANCE CAMP FOR STUDENTS | $25,000 |
| APL DE AP FOUNDATION INTERNATIONAL ENCINO, CA | SUPPORT FILIPINO YOUTH | $5,000 |
| ARTS EVERY DAY BALTIMORE, MD | SUPPORT BALTIMORE CITY SCHOOL CHILDREN'S ACCESS | $5,000 |
| ASIAN AMERICAN LEGAL DEFENSE FUND NEW YORK, NY | SUPPORT WORK TO PROMOTE CIVIL RIGHTS OF ASIAN AMERICANS | $10,000 |
| ATAP COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT NEW YORK, NY | SUPPORT FELLOWS PROGRAM IN NEW YORK CITY | $1,000 |
| BALTIMORE COMMUNTIY FOUNDATION BALTIMORE, MD | SUPPORT THE CAROLYN FUGETT FUND | $750 |
| BRAVA THEATER CENTER (FOR WOMEN IN THE ARTS) SAN FRANCISCO, CA | CULTIVATING THE ARTISTIC EXPRESSION OF WOMEN | $1,000 |
| CRISTO REY JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL BALTIMORE, MD | SUPPORT HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN ACHIEVING KNOWLEDGE AND EMPLOYMENT SKILLS | $32,000 |
| DANCE THEATRE OF HARLEM NEW YORK, NY | CHILDREN'S PROGRAM | $25,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Loida N. Lewis – Chair and Director
- Beverly A. Cooper – Vice President, Secretary, and Director
- Anthony S. Fugett – Director
- Christina Lewis Halpern – Treasurer and Director
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LOIDA N LEWIS | CHAIR AND DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| BEVERLY A COOPER | VP SEC. & DIRECTOR | 37.5 | $175,000 |
| ANTHONY S FUGETT | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CHRISTINA LEWIS HALPERN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In December 2022, the Reginald F. Lewis Foundation announced a milestone $5 million grant to the Barack Obama Foundation. The grant funds youth programs including My Brother's Keeper and Girls Opportunity, as well as the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago.
Reginald F. Lewis Foundation Makes $5 Million Commitment to Obama FoundationThe foundation continues its commitment to educational and cultural initiatives, with ongoing support for institutions focused on youth development, arts and culture, and community advancement.
Reginald F. Lewis Foundation Makes $5 Million Commitment to Obama FoundationFrequently Asked Questions
What does The Reginald F Lewis Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation's mission is to be a force for economic and social justice in the United States and beyond, particularly for African-American youth. The foundation is inspired by the vision of its founder, Reginald F. Lewis, who demonstrated a strategic perspective on addressing challenges and potential for progress among economically, socially, and politically oppressed communities. Primary focus areas include: • Education • Arts and culture • Children and youth • Libraries and public libraries…
How do I apply for a grant from The Reginald F Lewis Foundation Inc?
The foundation has distributed significant resources throughout its history. As of December 2019, the Reginald F. Lewis Foundation had given away $30 million in grants since inception. **Recent Grant Activity:** • Total giving in fiscal year 2024: $613,945 • Total giving in fiscal year 2023: approximately $627,000 • Typical award range: $250–$1,500,000 **Recent Grants (2024):** • Cristo Rey Jesuit High School: $32,000 (Support High School Students in Achieving Knowledge and Employment Skills) •…
Where does The Reginald F Lewis Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation supports projects across numerous cities and states in the United States, including: • New York • Maryland • California • Los Angeles • Washington, D.C. • And additional locations across the country
What size grants does The Reginald F Lewis Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, The Reginald F Lewis Foundation Inc awarded 61 grants totaling $614K — an average of about $10K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Reginald F Lewis Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Reginald F Lewis Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $1.4M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Reginald F Lewis Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Reginald F Lewis Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-3429965. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Reginald F Lewis Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
The Reich Family Charitable Trust
BROOKLYN, NY
Assets
$689K
Grants
1
Total Given
$453K
Launa Beuhler Foundation for
BROOKLYN, NY
Assets
$2K
Grants
4
Total Given
$20K
The Hilary Grace Foundation Inc
EAST AMHERST, NY
Assets
$126K
Grants
2
Total Given
$36K
Uw E J Madden Mem Open Hearts Club 10-214880
NEW YORK, NY
Assets
$1.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$307K
Hindy's Foundation
BROOKLYN, NY
Assets
$142K
Grants
8
Total Given
$225K
Jeanne & Thomas Hardy Family Foundation
NEW YORK, NY
Assets
$3K
Grants
3
Total Given
$3K
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with The Reginald F Lewis Foundation Inc on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching The Reginald F Lewis Foundation Inc to a real strategy.