Richard Lounsbery Foundation Inc (EIN: 136786430)

Important Note on Entity Structure

The entity you've inquired about (EIN: 136786430, Chicago, IL) is a trust that serves as a funding vehicle for the Richard Lounsbery Foundation in Washington, DC (EIN: 136081860). The Chicago trust makes grants to the Washington, DC foundation, which in turn operates the actual grant programs. Organizations seeking funding should apply to the Washington, DC foundation, not the Chicago trust. This overview covers the operational grant-making foundation in Washington, DC.

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $3,954,807 (2024)
• Total Assets: $24.6 million (2023)
• Number of Grants: 54 awards (2024), 53 awards (2023)
• Grant Range: $2,500 - $300,000
• Median Grant: $60,000 (2023)
• Geographic Focus: Washington, DC and New York City (with emphasis on STEM education), plus national and Franco-American scientific cooperation
• Application Method: Letter of inquiry required; full proposals by invitation only

Contact Details

Richard Lounsbery Foundation 601 Thirteenth Street, NW, Suite 940N Washington, DC 20005

Phone: 202-872-8080 Email: foundation@rlounsbery.org Website: www.rlounsbery.org

Overview

The Richard Lounsbery Foundation was established in 1959 with a dual mission: to enhance national strengths in science and technology in the United States and to foster strong Franco-American scientific cooperation. Following founder Richard Lounsbery's death in 1967, his widow Vera Victoroff Lounsbery worked with attorney Alan F. McHenry to develop a clear-cut set of goals for the Foundation, which has evolved under the leadership of several distinguished scientists. With assets of approximately $24.6 million and annual giving of nearly $4 million, the foundation focuses on seed funding for novel scientific projects, STEM education initiatives particularly in Washington, DC and New York City, and international scientific collaboration. The foundation is known for its strategic approach of providing partial support to catalyze new initiatives rather than funding established programs.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

General Grantmaking ($2,500 - $300,000 per grant, typically $25,000 - $200,000)

• Quarterly proposal deadlines: December 15, March 15, June 15, and September 15
• Applications by invitation only following letter of inquiry
• Foundation does not accept unsolicited full proposals

The Richard Lounsbery Award ($75,000 prize)

• Joint award with National Academy of Sciences and French Académie des Sciences
• Alternates annually between French and American scientists under 45
• Recognizes extraordinary achievement in biology and medicine
• Additional $20,000 three-year option for research expenses in US (if French) or France (if American)

Priority Areas

The Foundation supports programs in the following strategic areas:

International Scientific Cooperation

• Research connecting groups outside the US with American science
• Franco-American scientific collaboration (long-standing priority)
• Joint international research between nations in conflict

Science and Technology Policy

• Science and technology components of US policy issues
• Historical studies and contemporary assessments of key trends in physical and biomedical sciences

STEM Education

• Elementary and secondary science and math education
• Particular focus on New York City and Washington, DC
• Support for innovative educational nonprofits

Research Infrastructure

• Start-up assistance for establishing infrastructure of research projects
• Support for new fields of research
• Seed funding for novel scientific initiatives

Recent Grantee Examples

Frequent Grantees (past 10 years):

• American Museum of Natural History
• American Philosophical Society
• U.S. National Academy of Sciences
• American Association for the Advancement of Science
• BioBus, Inc. (mobile STEM education in NYC)
• Institute of International Education
• French Académie des Sciences
• U.S. Foundation for the Commemoration of the World Wars
• Center for the Study of the Presidency & Congress

Educational Initiatives Funded:

• Science Club for Girls (Harvard chapter and others)
• The Journal of Emerging Investigators (K-12 student research publication)
• Letters to a Pre-Scientist (connecting students with scientist penpals)
• BioBus (hundreds of STEM education events in NYC)
• Partnership for Observation of the Global Ocean (POGO) - $50,000 for biological observations

What They Don't Fund

The foundation explicitly does not fund:

• Capital projects
• Equipment (except in rare cases for research infrastructure start-ups)
• Fundraising events
• Political campaigns
• For-profit businesses
• Direct grants to individuals
• Endowments (generally)
• Continuing activities (rarely renews grants)

Governance and Leadership

Current Leadership

Jesse Ausubel, Chairman

• Director of the Program for the Human Environment at The Rockefeller University
• Educated at Harvard and Columbia
• Former resident fellow of the Climate Research Board at National Academy of Sciences
• Helped organize first UN World Climate Conference in Geneva (1979)
• Wrote much of the 1983 NAS report "Changing Climate"
• Led the Census of Marine Life program
• Fellow of American Academy of Arts & Sciences
• Received honorary doctorates from Dalhousie University (2009) and St. Andrews University (2012)
• Blue Frontier/Peter Benchley prize for ocean science recipient
• International Cosmos Prize winner
• A deep sea lobster (Dinochelus ausubeli) is named in his honor

Board

Richard McHenry

• Son of Alan F. McHenry, the foundation's first president
• Current board member

Historical Leadership

Alan F. McHenry (First President, 1980-1993)

• Worked with Vera Lounsbery to develop foundation's goals after Richard Lounsbery's death
• Served until his death in 1993

Frederick Seitz (President, 1993-2002+)

• Transformed the foundation after McHenry's death
• Fourth president of Rockefeller University
• Seventeenth president of the National Academy of Sciences (1962)

David M. Abshire (President, 2002-2014)

• Served as president until his death on October 31, 2014
• Co-founder and former president of the Center for Strategic and International Studies

William Happer (Chair of Board, 2016-2018)

• Distinguished physicist
• Served as chairman following Abshire's death

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Step 1: Letter of Inquiry (Required)

• The foundation does not accept unsolicited full proposals
• Submit a brief one-page letter of inquiry to introduce new ideas
• Email to: foundation@rlounsbery.org
• Foundation staff will review and invite full proposals if there is interest

Step 2: Full Proposal (By Invitation Only)

• Maximum 10 pages all inclusive (cover sheet, proposal, narrative biographies, and budget)
• Proposals longer than 10 pages will be returned without review
• Cover letter is not required
• Administrative form is not included in page count
• Submit electronically as one PDF to foundation@rlounsbery.org

Decision Timeline

Quarterly Deadlines:

• December 15
• March 15
• June 15
• September 15

Decision Timeframe: Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed, but with quarterly deadlines and a small staff, applicants should expect several weeks to months for review.

Grant Activity Statistics

• 2024: 54 grants awarded, $3,954,807 total
• 2023: 53 grants awarded, $3,882,800 total
• 2022: 57 grants awarded
• 2021: 54 grants awarded
• 2020: 63 grants awarded

Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed. However, the foundation's approach of requiring letters of inquiry before inviting full proposals suggests a selective, high-touch process with relatively low volume.

Reapplication Policy

The foundation "rarely renews grants for continuing activities," indicating that they prefer to fund new initiatives rather than provide ongoing support. Organizations can reapply with new projects, but should not expect renewal of existing grants.

Application Success Factors

Foundation's Stated Priorities

The foundation emphasizes that it:

• "Generally provides seed money or partial support"
• "Rarely renews grants for continuing activities"
• "Does not normally fund endowments or capital equipment"
• "Aims to achieve high impact by funding novel projects and forward-looking leaders"

Strategic Alignment

Novel and Innovative Approaches The foundation explicitly seeks "novel projects," so applications should emphasize innovative approaches, pilot programs, or new methodologies rather than established programs seeking general operating support.

Seed Funding for Catalytic Impact Position your project as a catalyst that will leverage additional resources or create sustainable impact beyond the initial grant. The foundation prefers partial support that enables organizations to achieve leverage.

Forward-Looking Leadership The foundation values "forward-looking leaders," so highlight the vision and credentials of project leadership. Applications led by innovative scientists, educators, or policy thinkers are favored.

Geographic Focus For STEM education projects, preference is given to initiatives in Washington, DC and New York City. Proposals from these areas should emphasize local impact.

Franco-American Connection Projects with a Franco-American scientific cooperation component align with a "long-standing priority" of the foundation. Consider French partnerships where relevant.

Competitive Considerations

With approximately 54 grants from thousands of potential applicants nationwide, the foundation is highly selective. The two-stage process (letter of inquiry followed by invitation for full proposal) suggests they carefully curate their applicant pool.

Recent 2025 Recognition: The foundation's 2025 Lounsbery Award went to Michael M. Yartsev (UC Berkeley/Howard Hughes Medical Institute), demonstrating their continued focus on cutting-edge neuroscience and biology.

Practical Application Guidance

The 10-Page Limit is Strict The foundation explicitly states that "proposals longer than ten pages will be returned without review." This suggests they value concise, well-crafted proposals and are serious about their guidelines.

Start with a Strong Letter of Inquiry Since full proposals are by invitation only, the one-page letter of inquiry is critical. Use it to clearly articulate the novel nature of your project, its potential for catalytic impact, and alignment with foundation priorities.

Demonstrate How Seed Funding Creates Leverage Show how foundation support will enable you to secure additional funding, establish proof of concept, or create infrastructure that will be sustained beyond the grant period.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Apply to the right entity: Organizations should contact the Washington, DC foundation (EIN 136081860), not the Chicago trust (EIN 136786430)
• Master the letter of inquiry: With full proposals by invitation only, your one-page letter of inquiry must be compelling and clearly demonstrate alignment with foundation priorities
• Emphasize innovation and novelty: The foundation explicitly seeks "novel projects" - frame your work as breaking new ground rather than continuing established programs
• Think catalytic, not operational: Position your request as seed funding that will leverage additional resources, not general operating support
• Don't expect renewal: Plan for a one-time grant and demonstrate sustainability beyond foundation support
• Keep it concise: The strict 10-page limit (including everything) rewards clear, concise writing
• Consider Franco-American angles: Projects with French scientific collaboration align with a "long-standing priority"
• Geographic preference matters: For education projects, Washington, DC and New York City are preferred locations
• Timing is predictable: Quarterly deadlines provide regular opportunities to apply throughout the year

References

• Richard Lounsbery Foundation official website: www.rlounsbery.org (Accessed March 3, 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Richard Lounsbery Foundation Inc Form 990 filings: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/136081860 (Accessed March 3, 2026)
• Charity Navigator Profile - Richard Lounsbery Foundation: https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/136081860 (Accessed March 3, 2026)
• National Academy of Sciences - Richard Lounsbery Award page: https://www.nasonline.org/award/richard-lounsbery-award/ (Accessed March 3, 2026)
• French Académie des Sciences - Richard Lounsbery Prize: https://www.academie-sciences.fr/en/International-awards/french-american-richard-lounsbery-prize.html (Accessed March 3, 2026)
• Inside Philanthropy - Richard Lounsbery Foundation profile: https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant-places/washington-dc-grants/richard-lounsbery-foundation (Accessed March 3, 2026)
• Candid Foundation Directory - Richard Lounsbery Foundation: https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=LOUN001 (Accessed March 3, 2026)
• Harvard MCB Department - "A Neuroscientist and a Philanthropist: Catherine Dulac's Work with the Richard Lounsbery Foundation": https://www.mcb.harvard.edu/department/news/a-neuroscientist-and-a-philanthropist-catherine-dulacs-work-with-the-richard-lounsbery-foundation/ (Accessed March 3, 2026)
• Richard Lounsbery Foundation - "Chairman Ausubel Celebrates 2024 Recipient of Lounsbery Award at French Academy of Sciences": https://www.rlounsbery.org/post/lounsbery-chair-celebrates-2024-recipient-of-richard-lounsbery-prize-at-frency-academy-of-sciences (Accessed March 3, 2026)
• Wikipedia - Richard Lounsbery Foundation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Lounsbery_Foundation (Accessed March 3, 2026)