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Gerald L Lennard Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$2.5M
Grant Range
$36K - $0.3M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $2,506,816 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $45,819,846
  • Average Grant Size: $35,812
  • Number of Awards: 70 (2023)
  • Geographic Focus: National (United States)
  • Application Method: Invitation only - no public application process

Contact Details

Registered Address: Wilmington, DE

EIN: 13-3888381

Note: The foundation does not maintain a public website or publish contact information for grant inquiries.

Overview

The Gerald L Lennard Foundation Inc is a private independent foundation based in Wilmington, Delaware. With assets of approximately $45.8 million and annual giving of $2.5 million, the foundation makes approximately 70 grants per year to organizations across the United States. The foundation specializes in supporting arts education, particularly in drawing, painting, and sculpture, while also funding initiatives in broader education, human services, youth development, and climate solutions. The foundation is managed by a board of directors including Donna Lennard, Stacey Lennard, Jennifer Meyerhardt, Lewis Rubin, and Wendy Rubin, all serving without compensation. Recent strategic focus includes supporting climate solutions and storytelling initiatives.

Funding Priorities

Priority Areas

Arts and Culture

  • Long-term arts education, with particular emphasis on drawing, painting, and sculpture
  • Support for artists and arts organizations

Education

  • Educational initiatives and programs
  • Youth development programs

Human Services

  • Community support services
  • Human welfare organizations

Environment and Climate

  • Climate solutions and sustainability initiatives
  • Environmental storytelling and engagement

Geographic Scope

The foundation supports organizations across the United States, including major urban areas such as New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, as well as smaller communities in states including California, New York, and Texas.

Grant Size Range

  • Average Grant: $35,812
  • Known Multi-Year Grant Example: $300,000 over three years to Project Drawdown (2024)

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations.

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors (all serving without compensation):

  • Donna Lennard, Director
  • Stacey Lennard
  • Jennifer Meyerhardt
  • Lewis Rubin
  • Wendy Rubin

Leadership Perspective

Donna Lennard, speaking about the foundation's grant to Project Drawdown, stated: "We are inspired by Project Drawdown's expertise and optimism." This quote reflects the foundation's commitment to supporting organizations that combine expertise with positive vision for the future.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The Gerald L Lennard Foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and explicitly does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Grants are awarded at the discretion of the board of directors to organizations with which they have established relationships or have identified through their own research and networks.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. As grants are made to preselected organizations, there is no standard application-to-decision timeline for external applicants.

Application Success Factors

Since the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, success in receiving funding depends on:

Alignment with Core Interests: Organizations working in arts education (particularly drawing, painting, and sculpture), youth development, human services, or climate solutions align with documented funding priorities.

Demonstrated Impact and Expertise: The foundation values organizations with proven expertise in their field, as evidenced by Donna Lennard's statement about being "inspired by Project Drawdown's expertise."

Optimistic and Solutions-Oriented Approach: The foundation's stated inspiration by Project Drawdown's "optimism" suggests they value forward-looking, positive approaches to addressing challenges.

Multi-Year Strategic Programs: The foundation has demonstrated willingness to make substantial multi-year commitments (e.g., $300,000 over three years) to organizations with strategic initiatives, such as Project Drawdown's storytelling and private capital engagement programs.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No unsolicited applications accepted - The foundation works exclusively with preselected organizations and does not have a public application process
  • Focus on arts education - Particular emphasis on supporting long-term education in drawing, painting, and sculpture
  • Average grant size of ~$36,000 - However, the foundation can make larger multi-year commitments for strategic initiatives
  • Broad U.S. reach - Despite Delaware registration, the foundation supports organizations across multiple states
  • Climate engagement growing - Recent grants suggest increasing interest in climate solutions and environmental storytelling
  • Values expertise and optimism - Leadership has expressed appreciation for organizations that combine subject matter expertise with positive, solutions-oriented approaches
  • Board-driven grantmaking - With five unpaid board members, decisions likely reflect personal interests and networks of board leadership

References

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