The Robert Lemelson Foundation
The Robert Lemelson Foundation is a private foundation, 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.
The Robert Lemelson Foundation at a glance
In short: The Robert Lemelson Foundation gave $334K across 6 grants in 2024 (avg $56K), mostly in California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $333,957
- -35.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 6
- +20.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $55,660
- -46.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $26,211
- Total assets
- $5,507,876
- -4.2% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- California (85% 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 Lemelson Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 6 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was American Friends of Hebrew University ($180K). Together the top 6 received $334K.
Grant Size Distribution
32 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 20 grants of 32 (63%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 6 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Robert Lemelson Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−3%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 89% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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 $205K (2020) to $520K (2023). In 2024 it made 6 grants totaling $334K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| American Friends of Hebrew University Los Angeles, CA | General Funds | $180,000 |
| UCLA Foundation Los Angeles, CA | Designated to thedepartment of anthropology: for the c-blaac 2025 program | $100,000 |
| Myriad USA New York, NY | Putra Bangsa Sch/Ninik Supartini Scholarship | $49,721 |
| Beyond Baroque Foundation Venice, CA | General Funds | $2,700 |
| Brooklyn Workforce Innovations Brooklyn, NY | F.lefrak Annual Celebration | $1,023 |
| Pan-Massachusetts Challenge Needham, MA | Pan Mass Challenge 2024 | $513 |
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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 | $5,507,876 | $159,818 | $398,589 | $333,957 | 6 | $334,957 | $113,390 | $376,945 |
| 2023 | $5,746,647 | $371,601 | $584,593 | $520,050 | 5 | $526,527 | $333,075 | $337,050 |
| 2022 | $5,959,639 | $468,917 | $471,760 | $410,305 | 6 | $415,641 | $421,657 | $347,234 |
| 2021 | $5,962,482 | $323,208 | $400,157 | $345,314 | 7 | $346,964 | $275,215 | $392,759 |
| 2020 | $6,039,431 | $47,731 | $254,279 | $204,502 | 8 | — | $97,164 | $344,179 |
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.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Robert Lemelson Foundation is led by Robert Lemelson PhD, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Robert Lemelson PhD
President
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Lois Shickman
Chief Financial Officer
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Zoe Lemelson
Secretary
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Beate Ritz MD PhD (2020–2022) — Chief Financial Officer
- Former: Irene Sukwandi (2020–2022) — Secretary
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.
Frequently asked questions about The Robert Lemelson Foundation
How much does The Robert Lemelson Foundation give each year?
The Robert Lemelson Foundation gave $334K across 6 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $520K across 5 grants.
What is The Robert Lemelson Foundation's typical grant size?
The Robert Lemelson Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $26,211, and its average grant was $55,660, across 6 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Robert Lemelson Foundation give grants?
The Robert Lemelson Foundation gives mostly in California: 85% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was New York (15%). The most frequent recipient cities were Los Angeles, CA (2 grants).
Does The Robert Lemelson Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 33% of The Robert Lemelson Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (2 of 6) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Robert Lemelson Foundation's largest grantees?
The Robert Lemelson Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include American Friends of Hebrew University ($180,000), UCLA Foundation ($100,000) and Myriad USA ($49,721), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 99% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Robert Lemelson Foundation?
The Robert Lemelson Foundation reported $5.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $335K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $377K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
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.
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
Live grants for the work The Robert Lemelson Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Robert Lemelson Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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