The Robert I & Lien Q Chen Family Foundation
The Robert I & Lien Q Chen Family Foundation is a private foundation, based in San Mateo, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $3.1M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 5 grants totaling $200K. Net investment income was $99K.
The Robert I & Lien Q Chen Family Foundation at a glance
In short: The Robert I & Lien Q Chen Family Foundation gave $200K across 5 grants in 2024 (avg $40K), mostly in District of Columbia. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $200,000
- +11.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 5
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $40,000
- +11.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $40,000
- Total assets
- $3,103,715
- -7.0% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- District of Columbia (50% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who The Robert I & Lien Q Chen Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Earthjustice Action ($60K). Together the top 5 received $200K.
Grant Size Distribution
30 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 21 grants of 30 (70%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 5 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Robert I & Lien Q Chen Family Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−10%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 103% 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $180K (2023) to $223K (2021). In 2024 it made 5 grants totaling $200K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Earthjustice Action Washington, DC | Promotion of Social Welfare | $60,000 |
| Asian American Education Project Los Angeles, CA | Asian American Advocacy | $40,000 |
| National Tropical Botanical Garden Kalaheo, HI | Finding Solutions for Clean Air and Water | $40,000 |
| Environmental Working Group Washigton, DC | Promotion of Healthier Environment | $40,000 |
| Positive Coaching Alliance Oakland, CA | Promotion Culture of Youth Sports | $20,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $3,103,715 | $5,859 | $240,229 | $200,000 | 5 | $200,000 | $99,386 | $194,182 |
| 2023 | $3,338,084 | $66,224 | $216,020 | $180,000 | 5 | $180,000 | $64,392 | $185,299 |
| 2022 | $3,475,043 | $100,666 | $286,373 | $220,000 | 7 | $220,000 | $80,856 | $150,088 |
| 2021 | $3,660,815 | $562,388 | $256,715 | $222,500 | 5 | $222,500 | $474,625 | $209,143 |
| 2020 | $4,145,189 | $593,580 | $276,545 | $200,000 | 8 | — | $41,073 | — |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Robert I & Lien Q Chen Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $194K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Robert I & Lien Q Chen Family Foundation's 2024 filing lists 4 officers; 2 of 4 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Robert I. Chen
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
She-Rae Chen
Board Member
On filings since 2022
$16K (2022) → $15K (2024)
She-Rene Chen
Board Member
On filings since 2022
$16K (2022) → $5K (2024)
Lien Q. Chen
Vice President, Secretary & CFO
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
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 $15K, to She-RAE Chen (Board Member). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Robert I & Lien Q Chen Family Foundation
How much does The Robert I & Lien Q Chen Family Foundation give each year?
The Robert I & Lien Q Chen Family Foundation gave $200K across 5 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $180K across 5 grants.
What is The Robert I & Lien Q Chen Family Foundation's typical grant size?
The Robert I & Lien Q Chen Family Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $40,000, and its average grant was $40,000, across 5 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Robert I & Lien Q Chen Family Foundation give grants?
The Robert I & Lien Q Chen Family Foundation gives mostly in District of Columbia: 50% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were California (30%) and Hawaii (20%).
Does The Robert I & Lien Q Chen Family Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 5 grants with a stated purpose on The Robert I & Lien Q Chen Family Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are The Robert I & Lien Q Chen Family Foundation's largest grantees?
The Robert I & Lien Q Chen Family Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Earthjustice Action ($60,000), Asian American Education Project ($40,000) and National Tropical Botanical Garden ($40,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 70% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Robert I & Lien Q Chen Family Foundation?
The Robert I & Lien Q Chen Family Foundation reported $3.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $200K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $194K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is The Robert I & Lien Q Chen Family Foundation's EIN?
The Robert I & Lien Q Chen Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-1885060. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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