The Robert Lemelson Foundation
The Robert Lemelson Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in PACIFIC PALISADES, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $5.5M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 6 grants totaling $334K. Net investment income was $113K.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$5.5M
-4.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$334K
-35.8% YoY
Grant Count
6
+20.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$56K
-46.5% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Robert Lemelson Foundation reported a distributable amount of $377K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
About The Robert Lemelson Foundation
Based on IRS filings
The Robert Lemelson Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in PACIFIC PALISADES, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $5.5M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 6 grants totaling $334K. Net investment income was $113K.
Focus Areas
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $5,507,876 | $5,746,647 | $5,959,639 |
| Revenue | $159,818 | $371,601 | $468,917 |
| Expenses | $398,589 | $584,593 | $471,760 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $334,957 | $526,527 | $415,641 |
| Net Investment Income | $113,390 | $333,075 | $421,657 |
| Distributable Amount | $376,945 | $337,050 | $347,234 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 6 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
32 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include American Friends of Hebrew University ($180,000), Ucla Foundation ($100,000), Myriad Usa ($49,721).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF HEBREW UNIVERSITY LOS ANGELES, CA | GENERAL FUNDS | $180,000 |
| BEYOND BAROQUE FOUNDATION VENICE, CA | GENERAL FUNDS | $2,700 |
| BROOKLYN WORKFORCE INNOVATIONS BROOKLYN, NY | F.LEFRAK ANNUAL CELEBRATION | $1,023 |
| MYRIAD USA NEW YORK, NY | PUTRA BANGSA SCH/NINIK SUPARTINI SCHOLARSHIP | $49,721 |
| PAN-MASSACHUSETTS CHALLENGE NEEDHAM, MA | PAN MASS CHALLENGE 2024 | $513 |
| UCLA FOUNDATION LOS ANGELES, CA | DESIGNATED TO THEDEPARTMENT OF ANTHROPOLOGY: FOR THE C-BLAAC 2025 PROGRAM | $100,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROBERT LEMELSON PHD | PRESIDENT | — | — |
| ZOE LEMELSON | SECRETARY | — | — |
| LOIS SHICKMAN | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | — | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Robert Lemelson Foundation?
The Robert Lemelson Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in PACIFIC PALISADES, CA. It holds $5.5M in total assets as of 2024.
How large is The Robert Lemelson Foundation?
As of 2024, The Robert Lemelson Foundation holds $5.5M in total assets with $160K in annual revenue. It awarded 6 grants totaling $334K in 2024.
Where does The Robert Lemelson Foundation operate?
The Robert Lemelson Foundation has awarded grants in California, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia.
What size grants does The Robert Lemelson Foundation award?
In 2024, The Robert Lemelson Foundation awarded 6 grants totaling $334K — an average of about $56K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Robert Lemelson Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Robert Lemelson Foundation reported a distributable amount of $377K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Robert Lemelson Foundation's EIN?
The Robert Lemelson Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-3423670. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Robert Lemelson Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
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