The Lodestar Foundation
Preselected recipients only
The Lodestar Foundation is a private foundation in Phoenix, Arizona. In tax year 2025 it gave $1.8 million in 80 grants; the typical grant was $14,900 and the largest $250,000. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$1.8 million
- Number of grants80
- Typical grant$14,900
- Largest grant$250,000
- Assets$131,116
- New grantees71%
Giving in 2025 was up from $1.4 million the year before.
71% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a sign it is open to new organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $1.6 million | 45 | $404,310 |
| 2024 | $1.4 million | 52 | $530,142 |
| 2025 | $1.8 million | 80 | $131,116 |
How to apply
The Lodestar Foundation says in its IRS filing that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations, so unsolicited applications are unlikely to be considered. Organizations it funds are usually invited.
What The Lodestar Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 14 states, the most to New York.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| New York | 38 | $569,306 |
| Arizona | 18 | $514,000 |
| Maryland | 1 | $160,000 |
| District of Columbia | 5 | $123,000 |
| Washington | 2 | $100,000 |
| Massachusetts | 5 | $86,500 |
| California | 4 | $83,500 |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | $75,000 |
| New Jersey | 1 | $35,000 |
| Texas | 1 | $14,800 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Phoenix | General & Unrestricted | $250,000 |
| Keep Our Republic Charitable Fund | Consulting Project | $160,000 |
| Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania | Philanthropy Workshop | $75,000 |
| Arizona State University Foundation for A New Amer | McCain Institute's Partnership with the Athens Democracy Forum | $50,000 |
| Civic Ventures | The Future of Together | $50,000 |
| Social Venture Partners International | Challenge fund | $50,000 |
| Social Venture Partners International | Challenge fund | $50,000 |
| Valley of the Sun United Way | for general operations; Central Arizona Shelter Services, Banner Health Foundation and Alzheimer's Foundation for research and related activities, Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project | $50,000 |
| Independent Sector | Initiative for Strategic Volunteer Engagement - Integration and Operation Expenses - ISVE to Independent Sector | $38,000 |
| Barrow Neurological Foundation | in support of the Pituitary Surgery Research Consortium | $36,000 |
| Trustees of Princeton University | To support research activity on the maintenance of the rule of law currently led by Professor Deborah Pearlstein in Princeton's Program on Law and Public Policy in the School of Public and International Affairs | $35,000 |
| United Philanthropy Forum | Charitable Event | $35,000 |
| Cda Collaborative Learning Projects Inc | Support for merger implementation between CDA Collaborative Learning and Local Capacities for Peace International | $30,000 |
| Giving Tuesday Inc | Support of merger exploration between Giving Tuesday and Philanthropy Together | $30,000 |
| Seachange Capital Partners Inc | Administrative fund | $28,138 |
| Seachange Capital Partners Inc | Administrative fund | $26,846 |
| Thoreau Farm Trust Inc | Thoreau Farm Trust and The Thoreau Society merger implementation | $26,500 |
| Seachange Capital Partners Inc | Administrative fund | $25,629 |
| Arizona State University Foundation for A New Amer | McCain Institute - Human Rights Defenders | $25,000 |
| Contina Impact | Support general operating activities of Patriots and Pragmatists | $25,000 |
| Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press | Administration of the Free Expression Legal Network | $25,000 |
| Seachange Capital Partners Inc | to support the Massachusetts Funder Collaborative | $25,000 |
| Synergos Institute Inc | General & Unrestricted | $25,000 |
| Seachange Capital Partners Inc | Support the collaboration between The Considered Ask and Migrate Art | $22,222 |
| Seachange Capital Partners Inc | Support the collaboration between Fresh Energy and Canary Media | $22,222 |
| Seachange Capital Partners Inc | Support the collaboration between Aurora Institute and The Learning Accelerator | $21,333 |
| Seachange Capital Partners Inc | Support the collaboration between She's the First and Girl Rising | $20,444 |
| Arouet Foundation | CASE Academy Trade Certification Program | $20,000 |
| Seachange Capital Partners Inc | Sustained Collaboration Network - General Operating Expenses fund | $20,000 |
| Seachange Capital Partners Inc | Support the collaboration between Resolution Project and Enactus | $20,000 |
| The Project on Government Oversight Inc | Center for Public Integrity Transfer of Archives | $20,000 |
| Seachange Capital Partners Inc | Support the collaboration between Custom Collaborative and Remake | $18,311 |
| Seachange Capital Partners Inc | Support the collaboration between Breaking Barriers and RefuAid | $17,778 |
| Seachange Capital Partners Inc | Support the collaboration between National Guild for Community Arts Education and Teaching Artists Guild | $17,778 |
| Seachange Capital Partners Inc | ADMINISTRATIVE FUNd | $16,972 |
| Seachange Capital Partners Inc | Support the collaboration between Water for Good and Lifewater International | $16,889 |
| Seachange Capital Partners Inc | Support the collaboration between Moving Traditions and jGirls Magazine | $16,000 |
| Seachange Capital Partners Inc | Support the collaboration between Springboard Collaborative and Future Forward | $15,556 |
| Arizona Community Foundation | Partner Hub Fund | $15,000 |
| The Bottom Line Inc | In support of the merger exploration between Bottom Line, Inc. and Get Schooled Foundation | $15,000 |
Officers and trustees
- I Jerome Hirsch
- Lois Savage
Questions people ask
Does The Lodestar Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does The Lodestar Foundation give?
$1.8 million in tax year 2025, across 80 grants, with a typical grant of $14,900.
Who runs The Lodestar Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists I Jerome Hirsch (Dir, Sec) and Lois Savage (Pres).
What does The Lodestar Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly community development, education and faith communities.