David And Carol Lackland Family Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $810,000 (2023)
• Success Rate: N/A (invitation only)
• Decision Time: At trustee discretion
• Grant Range: $10,000 - $200,000
• Geographic Focus: New Jersey, Florida, California (also Maryland, Tennessee)

Contact Details

• Website: None available
• Email: Not publicly available
• Phone: Not publicly available
• Location: Watchung, NJ

Overview

The David And Carol Lackland Family Foundation Inc is a private foundation established by David and Carol Lackland, longtime residents of Watchung, New Jersey. With assets of approximately $13 million, the foundation distributes around $810,000 annually to carefully selected organizations. The foundation operates through trustee discretion, focusing primarily on education, human services, and philanthropic support across several states. The Lacklands are best known for their transformative $16 million gift to Centenary University for the construction of the David and Carol Lackland Center, a state-of-the-art performing arts facility. David Lackland, a businessman and musician who developed residential properties through Lackland Brothers, Inc., serves as a trustee at Centenary, while Carol is a 1954 alumna of the institution.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation makes discretionary grants ranging from $10,000 to $200,000 to preselected organizations. In 2023, they awarded 15 grants totaling $810,000.

Priority Areas

• Education (primary focus)
• Human Services
• Philanthropy/Voluntarism/Grantmaking Foundations

Geographic Focus

• Primary states: New Jersey, Florida, California
• Secondary states: Maryland, Tennessee
• Specific communities served include Cooper City, Flemington, and Glen Rock

What They Don't Fund

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

Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

• David J. Lackland - Co-founder, businessman and musician (violin)
• David K. Whitlock
• Dale Lochet
• William F. Rainaldi

All trustees serve without compensation. David Lackland is a Lehigh University graduate who developed residential properties as part of Lackland Brothers, Inc. and serves as a trustee at Centenary University. Carol Lackland is a 1954 Centenary College alumna and member of the President's Circle.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation has explicitly stated that it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds." All grants are awarded at the discretion of the trustees.

Getting on Their Radar

Given the foundation's invitation-only status, organizations seeking support should focus on:

• Building connections with Centenary University, where David serves as a trustee
• Networking within the New Jersey philanthropic community, particularly in the Watchung area where the Lacklands have resided for fifty years
• Establishing relationships with current grantees who might provide introductions
• Demonstrating excellence in education or human services within the foundation's geographic focus areas

Grant-Making Patterns

Recent Activity

• 2023: 15 grants totaling $810,000
• 2022: 17 grants
• 2021: 4 grants (showing significant growth in giving)

Typical Grant Sizes

Most grants fall between $10,000 and $200,000, with the foundation capable of making transformational gifts as demonstrated by their $16 million commitment to Centenary University.

Notable Philanthropy

The Lacklands' most significant philanthropic achievement was their lead gift for the David and Carol Lackland Center at Centenary University. This $30 million performing arts facility, which opened in 2010, houses:

• The Centenary Stage Company
• WNTI 91.9 FM radio station
• CCTV Channel 23 television station

This gift demonstrates the foundation's capacity for transformational philanthropy when deeply engaged with an institution.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is an invitation-only funder with no public application process
• Focus on relationship building rather than direct applications
• The foundation has strong ties to Centenary University and New Jersey
• Education projects, particularly in higher education, align with their giving history
• Geographic proximity to New Jersey, Florida, or California increases likelihood of consideration
• The foundation has capacity for both regular grants ($10,000-$200,000) and transformational gifts
• Personal connections through the trustees or current grantees are essential for consideration

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - David And Carol Lackland Family Foundation Inc (EIN: 22-3646396)
• Foundation Directory Online - David And Carol Lackland Family Foundation profile
• Centenary University - David and Carol Lackland Center information
• IRS Form 990 filings (2021-2023)
• Centenary College Alumni Records - Carol Lackland, Class of 1954
• Watchung, NJ public records