Dorothy Lemelson Foundation
Invitation OnlyReno, Nevada · EIN 45-5079187 · Private foundation
Grants paid (2024)$2.5M
Organizations funded33
Typical grant$30,000
Total assets$46M
Half of its grants to organizations were between $20,000 and $75,000.
From the return
How to apply
On its return for tax year 2024 the foundation checked the box saying it only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
What it funds
Share of grant lines on the latest return, classified from the purpose each grant states.
Where it gives
69% of grants went outside Nevada.
Grants paid in tax year 2024
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| The National Musuem of American History Smithsonian Institution | Washington, DC | Provided archival materials to be used for standard museum purposes for education and nonproift activities | $600,000 |
| Georgia Reslience and Opportunity Fund | Atlanta, GA | Support for the baby bonds pilot program | $500,000 |
| Washoe County School District | Reno, NV | $146,906 support for 2024-2025 STEM coordinator at the dorothy lemelson STEM academy (any excess is to be used in furtherance of… | $186,616 |
| Planned Parenthood Cascade Willamette | Portland, OR | Support for the eastern oregon education expansion | $125,000 |
| Holla School | Portland, OR | Support for the school counselor position | $112,000 |
| Bridge Meadows | Portland, OR | $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 | Reno, NV | Support for dean's future scholars | $100,000 |
| Willamette University | Salem, OR | Support for the dorothy lemelson foundation grant fund at the university's pacific northwest college of the arts | $100,000 |
| Teaching for Change | Washington, DC | Support for the zinn education project's teach for black lives | $75,000 |
| Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum | Reno, NV | Support for the spark lab staff position | $62,000 |
| Pear | Portland, OR | Support for programs focusing on assistance for homeless youth | $60,000 |
| Children's Institute | Los Angeles, CA | General operating support | $50,000 |
| The Children's Cabinet | Reno, NV | 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 | Reno, NV | $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… | $41,000 |
| Nnwla Scholarship Fund | Reno, NV | Support for scholarships | $40,000 |
| Share Our Strength | Philadelphia, PA | Support for the no kid hungry campaign | $40,000 |
| Women's Foundation California | Oakland, CA | Support for the summer leadership institute | $30,000 |
| Food Bank of Northern Nevada | Sparks, NV | Support for the student backpack program | $25,000 |
| Holla | Portland, OR | General operating support | $25,000 |
| Peace4kids | Compton, CA | General operating support | $25,000 |
| Plumas Crisis Intervention Resource Center | Quincy, CA | Support for the north star navigation center | $25,000 |
| University of Nevada Reno Foundation | Reno, NV | Support for the head clinical supervisor for the behavioral health collaborative fund | $25,000 |
| We Belong Pdx | Portland, OR | General operating support | $25,000 |
| World Central Kitchen | Washington, DC | Support for hurricane disaster response in the southwestern united states | $25,000 |
| Achilles International | New York, NY | Support for programs supporting youth and children | $20,000 |
| Catlin Gabel School | Portland, OR | Support for the 2024-2025 east campus/pnca/willamette internship position | $10,000 |
| Choose Love Movement | Sandy Hook, CT | Support for character, social, and emotional development programs | $10,000 |
| Oregon Museum of Science and Industry | Portland, OR | General operating support | $10,000 |
| Ps Arts | Los Angeles, CA | General operating support | $10,000 |
| Portland Art Museum | Portland, OR | Support for the public art museum | $10,000 |
| Safe Talk for Teens | Reno, NV | Support for mental health services for teens | $10,000 |
| The Virginia Garcia Memorial Foundation | Aloha, OR | Support for the students health advisory council at the school based health centers | $5,000 |
| Sierra Nevada Journeys | Reno, NV | Support for outdoor, science-based education programs | $1,000 |
Grants approved for future payment
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Nevada Reno Foundation | Reno, NV | Support for the STEM teacher cohort | $1,225,534 |
| Women's Foundation California | Oakland, CA | Support for the summer leadership institute | $600,000 |
| Holla School | Portland, OR | Support for the school counselor position | $224,000 |
| Willamette University | Salem, OR | Support for the dorothy lemelson foundation grant fund at the university's pacific northwest college of the arts | $200,000 |
| Bridge Meadows | Portland, OR | Support for the community support specialist position | $150,000 |
| Teaching for Change | Washington, DC | Support for the zinn education project's teach for black lives | $150,000 |
| Children's Institute | Los Angeles, CA | General operating support | $100,000 |
| Pear | Portland, OR | Support for programs focusing on assistance for homeless youth | $60,000 |
| We Belong Pdx | Portland, OR | General operating support | $50,000 |
| Holla | Portland, OR | General operating support | $25,000 |
| Peace4kids | Compton, CA | General operating support | $25,000 |
| Share Our Strength | Philadelphia, PA | Support for the no kid hungry campaign | $20,000 |
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $2,537,616 | 45 |
| 2023 | $1,964,551 | 30 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2024, filed Nov 15, 2025 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202513199349100311
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 45-5079187
- Profile updated Nov 5, 2026
Facts on this page come from the foundation's own IRS Form 990-PF filings as published by the IRS. Grantvello does not know whether a foundation is accepting proposals right now: a past grant is not an open opportunity. Always confirm current guidelines with the funder before applying.