Dorothy Lemelson Foundation
Preselected recipients only
Dorothy Lemelson Foundation is a private foundation in Reno, Nevada. In tax year 2024 it gave $2.5 million in 33 grants; the typical grant was $30,000 and the largest $600,000. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2024.
- Grants paid, 2024$2.5 million
- Number of grants33
- Typical grant$30,000
- Largest grant$600,000
- Assets$46.0 million
- New grantees36%
Giving in 2024 was up from $2.0 million the year before.
36% of its 2024 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a mix of repeat and new grantees.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $2.0 million | 24 | $43.1 million |
| 2024 | $2.5 million | 33 | $46.0 million |
How to apply
Dorothy Lemelson 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 Dorothy Lemelson Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 8 states, the most to District of Columbia.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | 3 | $700,000 |
| Oregon | 11 | $587,000 |
| Nevada | 10 | $540,616 |
| Georgia | 1 | $500,000 |
| California | 5 | $140,000 |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | $40,000 |
| New York | 1 | $20,000 |
| Connecticut | 1 | $10,000 |
Grants paid in 2024
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The National Musuem of American History Smithsonian Institution | Provided archival materials to be used for standard museum purposes for education and nonproift activities | $600,000 |
| Georgia Reslience and Opportunity Fund | Support for the baby bonds pilot program | $500,000 |
| Washoe County School District | $146,906 support for 2024-2025 STEM coordinator at the dorothy lemelson STEM academy (any excess is to be used in furtherance of educational programming)$30,000 support for 2024-2025 school supplies for students of the dorothy lemelson STEM academy$8,110 support for 5th grade grizzly creek ranch field trip$1,600 support for 2024 graduation books for students | $186,616 |
| Planned Parenthood Cascade Willamette | Support for the eastern oregon education expansion | $125,000 |
| Holla School | Support for the school counselor position | $112,000 |
| Bridge Meadows | $30,000 of support for the project manager position$75,000 of support for the community support specialist position | $105,000 |
| University of Nevada Reno | Support for dean's future scholars | $100,000 |
| Willamette University | Support for the dorothy lemelson foundation grant fund at the university's pacific northwest college of the arts | $100,000 |
| Teaching for Change | Support for the zinn education project's teach for black lives | $75,000 |
| Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum | Support for the spark lab staff position | $62,000 |
| Pear | Support for programs focusing on assistance for homeless youth | $60,000 |
| Children's Institute | General operating support | $50,000 |
| The Children's Cabinet | Support for crisis stabilization visits and individual and family therapy for approximately 24 families over the course of one year | $50,000 |
| KNBP Channel 5 | $29,000 of support for the curiosity workshop at the dorothy lemelson STEM academy$12,000 of support for title 1 and "bubble" schools in washoe county | $41,000 |
| Nnwla Scholarship Fund | Support for scholarships | $40,000 |
| Share Our Strength | Support for the no kid hungry campaign | $40,000 |
| Women's Foundation California | Support for the summer leadership institute | $30,000 |
| Food Bank of Northern Nevada | Support for the student backpack program | $25,000 |
| Holla | General operating support | $25,000 |
| PEACE4KIDS | General operating support | $25,000 |
| Plumas Crisis Intervention Resource Center | Support for the north star navigation center | $25,000 |
| University of Nevada Reno Foundation | Support for the head clinical supervisor for the behavioral health collaborative fund | $25,000 |
| We Belong PDX | General operating support | $25,000 |
| World Central Kitchen | Support for hurricane disaster response in the southwestern united states | $25,000 |
| Achilles International | Support for programs supporting youth and children | $20,000 |
| Catlin Gabel School | Support for the 2024-2025 east campus/pnca/willamette internship position | $10,000 |
| Choose Love Movement | Support for character, social, and emotional development programs | $10,000 |
| Oregon Museum of Science and Industry | General operating support | $10,000 |
| PS Arts | General operating support | $10,000 |
| Portland Art Museum | Support for the public art museum | $10,000 |
| Safe Talk for Teens | Support for mental health services for teens | $10,000 |
| The Virginia Garcia Memorial Foundation | Support for the students health advisory council at the school based health centers | $5,000 |
| Sierra Nevada Journeys | Support for outdoor, science-based education programs | $1,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Caryn Swobe
- Jennifer Bruml
- Zoe Luh Morse Lemelson
Questions people ask
Does Dorothy Lemelson Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Dorothy Lemelson Foundation give?
$2.5 million in tax year 2024, across 33 grants, with a typical grant of $30,000.
Who runs Dorothy Lemelson Foundation?
Its 2024 filing lists Caryn Swobe (Vp/Tr/Director/Operations Executive), Jennifer Bruml (Pres/Director/Partnerships Executive) and Zoe Luh Morse Lemelson (Secy/Director/Programs Executive).
What does Dorothy Lemelson Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, arts and culture and youth programs.