The Theodor Lessing Foundation
The Theodor Lessing Foundation is a private foundation, based in Wilson, WY. IRS filing data is available from 2023 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $22K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 4 grants totaling $32K.
The Theodor Lessing Foundation at a glance
In short: The Theodor Lessing Foundation gave $32K across 4 grants in 2025 (avg $8K), top state New York. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $31,515
- +90.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 4
- +100.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $7,879
- -5.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $8,750
- Total assets
- $21,663
- -61.6% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- New York (24% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who The Theodor Lessing Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 4 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Jefferson Chase via Collin Oberndor ($13K). Together the top 4 received $32K.
Grant Size Distribution
9 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 9 grants of 9 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 4 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Theodor Lessing Foundation gives
- In 2025 it paid out well above 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 2023 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $17K (2024) to $32K (2025). In 2025 it made 4 grants totaling $32K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Jefferson Chase via Collin Oberndor | Milestone Translation - EMilestone Translation - ENWNW | $12,515 |
| Dr Rainer Marwedel | Grant for Flaschenpost Rights | $10,000 |
| Elizabeth Laufer Hannacroix, NY | Flaschenpost Translation | $7,500 |
| Cheryl Lenser Greenfield, IN | Grant for Indexing Blumen & Tieren | $1,500 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $21,663 | $20,000 | $54,693 | $31,515 | 4 | $54,693 | $2,194 |
| 2024 | $56,356 | $89,500 | $37,144 | $16,587 | 2 | $37,144 | $408 |
| 2023 | $4,000 | $43,147 | $39,147 | $26,000 | 3 | $39,122 | $272 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Theodor Lessing Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Theodor Lessing Foundation's 2025 filing lists 3 officers; none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
George Phocas
Director
On filings since 2023
15 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Katrin Phocas
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sarah Phocas
Director
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2023–2025. "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 Theodor Lessing Foundation
How much does The Theodor Lessing Foundation give each year?
The Theodor Lessing Foundation gave $32K across 4 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $17K across 2 grants.
What is The Theodor Lessing Foundation's typical grant size?
The Theodor Lessing Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $8,750, and its average grant was $7,879, across 4 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Theodor Lessing Foundation give grants?
The Theodor Lessing Foundation's top state is New York, with 24% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Does The Theodor Lessing Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 4 grants with a stated purpose on The Theodor Lessing Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
How large is The Theodor Lessing Foundation?
The Theodor Lessing Foundation reported $22K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $55K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is The Theodor Lessing Foundation's EIN?
The Theodor Lessing Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 93-2063292. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2023–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(4)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 9, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 9, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 5, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2023–2024
Live grants for the work The Theodor Lessing Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Browse active grant opportunities in The Theodor Lessing Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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