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Foundations / California

The Lester Family Foundation

Preselected recipients only La Jolla, California · EIN 943205279

The Lester Family Foundation is a private foundation in La Jolla, California. In tax year 2025 it gave $105,000 in 2 grants; the typical grant was $52,500 and the largest $100,000. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.

From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.

Giving in 2025 was up from $25,000 the year before.

100% 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 yearGrants paidNumber of grantsAssets
2023$235,6409$760,695
2024$25,0001$835,122
2025$105,0002$799,873

How to apply

The Lester Family 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.

IRS filings on ProPublica

What The Lester Family Foundation funds

Where it gives

Its grants went to recipients in 2 states, the most to California.

StateGrantsAmount
California1$100,000
Virginia1$5,000

Grants paid in 2025

All 2 grants
RecipientPurposeAmount
Sacred Heart School
Los Angeles, CA
General purpose$100,000
Lenity Project Inc
Great Falls, VA
General purpose$5,000

Officers and trustees

As listed in Part VIII of the 2025 filing.

Questions people ask

Does The Lester Family Foundation accept grant applications?

No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.

How much does The Lester Family Foundation give?

$105,000 in tax year 2025, across 2 grants, with a typical grant of $52,500.

Who runs The Lester Family Foundation?

Its 2025 filing lists Mary Lester Co Kirk Lester (President) and Kirk Lester (Treasurer).

What does The Lester Family Foundation fund?

Based on its grants, mainly education.

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