Thomas & Lisa Mandel Family Foundation
The Thomas & Lisa Mandel Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Cleveland, Ohio. Its 2024 filing reports 24 grants totaling $1,298,430 to organizations including community, educational, cultural, and human-services organizations.
Thomas & Lisa Mandel Family Foundation at a glance
In short: Thomas & Lisa Mandel Family Foundation gave $1.3M across 24 grants in 2024 (avg $54K), mostly in Ohio. 29% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,298,430
- -29.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 24
- +14.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $54,101
- -38.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $20,000
- Total assets
- $46,766,196
- +2.0% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 29% first-time grantees (7 of 24, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Ohio (85% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Thomas & Lisa Mandel Family Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The foundation uses no formal application form. Requests should include a project description and justification, the amount requested and grant term, pertinent financial information, and the organization’s IRS exemption status, including a copy of its exemption letter. The filing states that the foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations and lists no restrictions on awards.
- Contact
Application contact: Lavonda Napka
Mailing address: 1000 Lakeside Ave E, Cleveland, OH 44114
Phone: (216) 875-6500
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Thomas & Lisa Mandel Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Jewish Community Board of Akron ($408K). Together the top 10 received $1.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
75 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 45 grants of 75 (60%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 85% of grant dollars went to recipients in Ohio, 12% to recipients in New York, and 4% to recipients in Pennsylvania. These reported percentages are rounded. The largest listed Ohio recipients included organizations in Akron and Cleveland; the New York and Pennsylvania grants included recipients in Syracuse, New York, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 24 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Thomas & Lisa Mandel Family Foundation open to new grantees?
29%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 7 of 24 grantees (29%) were first-time recipients. With only 24 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 4 points. First grants averaged $10K; repeat grants $72K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $45K repeat.
- 58% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 92% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2022–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2022 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.1M (2022) to $1.8M (2023). In 2024 it made 24 grants totaling $1.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Jewish Community Board of Akron Akron, OH | Project Support | $408,000 |
| United Way of Summit & Medina Mandel Community Cen Akron, OH | Project Support | $200,000 |
| Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, OH | General Support | $175,000 |
| Jewish Community Centers Association New York, NY | General Support | $100,000 |
| Temple Israel Akron, OH | Project Support | $75,100 |
| Stewart's Caring Place Copley, OH | Project Support | $62,500 |
| Syracuse University Syracuse, NY | Project Support | $50,000 |
| Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA | Project Support | $50,000 |
| Akron Marathon Charitable Corporation Akron, OH | Project Support | $45,000 |
| Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park Peninsula, OH | Project Support | $30,000 |
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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 | $46,766,196 | $5,318,360 | $3,009,895 | $1,298,430 | 24 | $1,298,430 | $4,576,048 | $1,415,048 |
| 2023 | $45,864,988 | $2,037,100 | $3,909,081 | $1,837,959 | 21 | $1,837,959 | $1,331,576 | $1,397,306 |
| 2022 | $45,259,662 | $51,704,287 | $2,738,484 | $1,145,816 | 30 | $1,146,151 | $582,170 | $1,731,682 |
| 2021 | $51,267,932 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Thomas & Lisa Mandel Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.4M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No formal mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants included support for organizations whose missions address Jewish community life, higher education, cancer support, community fitness, national park education and visitor programs, and local philanthropy. For example, the Jewish Community Board of Akron describes its mission as preserving and perpetuating Jewish life; Stewart’s Caring Place describes providing free support and programs for people and families on a cancer journey; and the Akron Marathon Charitable Corporation describes promoting healthier lives and a stronger community through races and events. These are the grantees’ stated missions, not the foundation’s.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 24 grants totaling $1,298,430. The grants ranged from $28 to $408,000, with a median grant of $20,000. The largest awards included $408,000 to the Jewish Community Board of Akron for project support, $200,000 to United Way of Summit & Medina Mandel Community Cen for project support, and $175,000 to Case Western Reserve University for general support. Other notable awards included $100,000 to the Jewish Community Centers Association, $75,100 to Temple Israel, and $62,500 to Stewart’s Caring Place.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Lavonda D. Napka as president and secretary, Mark A. Madeja as assistant secretary, and Brady J. Hively as treasurer. Trustees listed are Stephen H. Hoffman, Jehuda Reinharz, Scott S. Cowen, and Adam B. Langsam.
Thomas & Lisa Mandel Family Foundation is led by Lavonda D. Napka, President & Secretary since 2024 (on filings since 2021); none of the 7 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Lavonda D. Napka
President & Secretary
Secretary → President & Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Adam B. Langsam
Trustee
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Jehuda Reinharz
Trustee
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Scott S. Cowen
Trustee
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Stephen H. Hoffman
Trustee
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Mark A. Madeja
Assistant Secretary
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Brady J. Hively
Treasurer
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Bradley S. Smith (2021–2023) — President
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2024. "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 Thomas & Lisa Mandel Family Foundation
How much does Thomas & Lisa Mandel Family Foundation give each year?
Thomas & Lisa Mandel Family Foundation gave $1.3M across 24 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1.8M across 21 grants.
What is Thomas & Lisa Mandel Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Thomas & Lisa Mandel Family Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $20,000, and its average grant was $54,101, across 24 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Thomas & Lisa Mandel Family Foundation that year got $10K on average.
Where does Thomas & Lisa Mandel Family Foundation give grants?
Thomas & Lisa Mandel Family Foundation gives mostly in Ohio: 85% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was New York (12%). The most frequent recipient cities were Akron, OH (11 grants) and Cleveland, OH (7 grants).
Does Thomas & Lisa Mandel Family Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 33% of Thomas & Lisa Mandel Family Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (8 of 24) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Project Support" (16 grants).
Who are Thomas & Lisa Mandel Family Foundation's largest grantees?
Thomas & Lisa Mandel Family Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Jewish Community Board of Akron ($408,000), United Way of Summit & Medina Mandel Community Cen ($200,000) and Case Western Reserve University ($175,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 60% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Thomas & Lisa Mandel Family Foundation?
Thomas & Lisa Mandel Family Foundation reported $46.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.3M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.4M (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 does Thomas & Lisa Mandel Family Foundation fund?
No formal mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants included support for organizations whose missions address Jewish community life, higher education, cancer support, community fitness, national park education and visitor programs, and local philanthropy. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Thomas & Lisa Mandel Family Foundation?
The foundation uses no formal application form. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Thomas & Lisa Mandel Family Foundation's EIN?
Thomas & Lisa Mandel Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 85-1007446. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Thomas & Lisa Mandel Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 5, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/thomas-and-lisa-mandel-family-foundation-morg_cc6a62c8f06946d4b0a4ecbfba9005ed
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_851007446_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Thomas \& Lisa Mandel Family Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/thomas-and-lisa-mandel-family-foundation-morg_cc6a62c8f06946d4b0a4ecbfba9005ed},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-05. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Thomas & Lisa Mandel Family Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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