The Lester Family Foundation | Foundation Profile
GrantBay analyzes IRS Form 990-PF data to help grant seekers find fit funders like The Lester Family Foundation. Data shown is extracted from Form 990-PF filings.
EIN: 94-3205279
Foundation Overview
Based in La Jolla, CA, The Lester Family Foundation has awarded 31 grants totaling $6,805,988 to organizations in Maryland, California and 3 other states across the US. Individual grants range from $5,000 to $1,000,000, with a median award of $100,000.
Latest Form 990-PF Snapshot
Foundation Intelligence
Advanced analytics and strategic insights to help nonprofit organizations assess grant opportunities and optimize their application strategies
New Applicant Friendliness
8 of 9 recipients (89%) were new grantees. Foundation prioritizes discovering new partners. Most funding supports first-time applicants with compelling missions.
Geographic Focus
65% of grants are awarded in California, with additional funding distributed across 4 other locations. The foundation balances regional focus with broader geographic diversity. Within California, funding concentrates in San Francisco (25%), Palm Desert (25%), Rancho Mirage (15%).
Funding Trajectory
Declining funding trend with 89% decrease over 3 years may indicate reduced grant opportunities or shifting foundation priorities. This trajectory suggests more competitive application environment.
Program Areas
Highly focused on general purposes with 100% of funding dedicated to this sector. This specialization indicates deep expertise and committed investment in the field.
Where is The Money Going?
Grants & Funding
Analyzing past grantees provides valuable insights into The Lester Family Foundation's funding preferences, organizational priorities, and grant making patterns. This historical data helps potential applicants understand the foundation's strategic focus and identify successful funding approaches.
| Name | Amount | Location | Purpose | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Village Community Presbyterian Church | $25,000 | Rancho Santa Fe, CA, US | General Purpose | 2023 |
| Eisenhower Health Foundation | $50,640 | Rancho Mirage, CA, US | General Purpose | 2023 |
| Mccallum Theatre | $10,000 | Palm Desert, CA, US | General Purpose | 2023 |
| Md Anderson Cancer Center | $50,000 | Houston, TX, US | General Purpose | 2023 |
| Boys And Girls Clubs Of Coachella Valley | $10,000 | Palm Desert, CA, US | General Purpose | 2023 |
| American Heart Association | $25,000 | Dallas, TX, US | General Purpose | 2023 |
| Harmon Recovery Foundation | $5,000 | La Quinta, CA, US | General Purpose | 2023 |
| National Cowgirl Museum And Hall Of Fame | $50,000 | Fort Worth, TX, US | General Purpose | 2023 |
| Jack London State Historic Park | $10,000 | Glen Ellen, CA, US | General Purpose | 2023 |
| Brandeis Marin | $100,000 | San Rafael, CA, US | Honor Of Bud Alpert | 2022 |
| Schools Of The Sacred Heart - San Francisco | $100,000 | San Francisco, CA, US | General Purpose | 2022 |
| Alsac - St Jude Children's Research Hospital | $1,000,000 | Memphis, TN, US | Global Program | 2022 |
| Brandeis Marin | $100,000 | San Rafael, CA, US | Honor Of Bud Alpert | 2022 |
| Schools Of The Sacred Heart - San Francisco | $100,000 | San Francisco, CA, US | General Purpose | 2022 |
| Alsac - St Jude Children's Research Hospital | $1,000,000 | Memphis, TN, US | Global Program | 2022 |
| Stand Together Foundation | $1,000,000 | Baltimore, MD, US | General Purpose | 2021 |
| Larkin Street Youth Services | $25,000 | San Francisco, CA, US | General Purpose | 2021 |
| Eisenhower Medical Center Foundation | $500,000 | Rancho Mirage, CA, US | General Purpose | 2021 |
| Mission Dolores Academy | $25,000 | San Francisco, CA, US | General Purpose | 2021 |
| The Living Desert | $25,000 | Palm Desert, CA, US | General Purpose | 2021 |
| Boys And Girls Club Of Coachella Valley Inc | $10,000 | Palm Desert, CA, US | General Purpose | 2021 |
| University Of Texas Md Anderson Cancer Center | $500,000 | Houston, TX, US | General Purpose | 2021 |
| Mccallum Theatre Foundation Inc | $25,000 | Palm Desert, CA, US | General Purpose | 2021 |
| American Heart Association | $25,000 | Dallas, TX, US | General Purpose | 2020 |
| Sacred Heart Church | $100,000 | Los Angeles, CA, US | General Purpose | 2020 |
| Stand Together Foundation | $500,000 | Baltimore, MD, US | General Purpose | 2020 |
| Eisenhower Medical Center Foundation | $500,000 | Rancho Mirage, CA, US | General Purpose | 2020 |
| Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy | $335,348 | San Francisco, CA, US | General Purpose | 2020 |
| Sonoma Valley Hospital Foundation | $100,000 | Sonoma, CA, US | General Purpose | 2020 |
| Stand Together Trust | $250,000 | Baltimore, MD, US | General Purpose | 2020 |
| Young Entrepreneurs | $250,000 | Wichita, KS, US | General Purpose | 2020 |
Foundations Similar to The Lester Family Foundation
Discover 5 foundations with comparable assets ($723,111-$800,000), similar grant patterns, and geographic focus in CA that may also align with your organization's funding needs and grant seeking strategy.
| Foundation Name | Total Assets | Typical Grant Size | Service Area | Similarity Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Pete P Peters Foundation
EIN: 94-2738016 | 12 grants awarded |
$762,933
(≈ Similar) |
$110,000
median grant |
Fresno, CA
Same state |
|
|
Rogan Family Foundation Inc
EIN: 87-1178648 | 10 grants awarded |
$781,168
(≈ Similar) |
$72,000
median grant |
Los Angeles, CA
Same state |
|
|
Collectible Art Preservation Foundation
EIN: 88-2734652 | 7 grants awarded |
$785,429
(≈ Similar) |
$50,000
median grant |
Santa Monica, CA
Same state |
|
|
The Herringer Family Foundation
EIN: 94-3349884 | 8 grants awarded |
$723,111
(≈ Similar) |
$50,000
median grant |
San Francisco, CA
Same state |
|
|
Maxine Park Hocking Pals Foundation Inc
EIN: 93-2757089 | 1 grants awarded |
$800,000
(≈ Similar) |
$79,432
median grant |
Encinitas, CA
Same state |
|
Related Foundation Resources in CA:
Contact Information
Official contact details for The Lester Family Foundation as registered with the IRS. These details are essential for grant applications, correspondence, and due diligence processes.
| EIN | 94-3205279 |
| Website | N/A |
| Address | PO BOX 2089 La Jolla, CA 92038-0000 |
Key People (2)
Board members, trustees, and key staff who oversee The Lester Family Foundation's grant making decisions and strategic direction. Understanding leadership composition can provide insights into foundation priorities and potential networking opportunities.
| President | Mary Lester Co Kirk Lester |
|---|---|
| Treasurer | Kirk Lester |
Forms 990-PF
IRS Form 990-PF filings provide comprehensive financial information, grant details, and operational data. These documents are essential resources for understanding foundation capacity, giving patterns, and strategic priorities.
Form 990-PF Research Tips
- Review Part XV for detailed grant recipient information and funding purposes
- Check Part I for total assets, annual giving amounts, and payout requirements
- Examine Part VIII for key personnel compensation and board structure
- Look for trends across multiple years to understand giving patterns
About This Foundation Profile
This comprehensive foundation profile for The Lester Family Foundation is powered by Grant Bay's advanced foundation research platform. Our system analyzes IRS Form 990-PF filings, grant histories, and philanthropic patterns to provide nonprofit organizations with actionable intelligence for grant seeking success.
Data Sources & Accuracy
All information is derived from official IRS filings and public records. Grant Bay processes thousands of Form 990-PF documents to extract grant details, financial data, and organizational information. Data accuracy depends on foundation reporting quality and IRS filing completeness.
Research Applications
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