LENA Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $499,047 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not applicable - no public application process
• Decision Time: Not applicable - invitation/strategic grants only
• Grant Range: $25,000 - $50,000 (based on Launch Fund awards)
• Geographic Focus: National (United States) and Canada

Contact Details

Website: www.lena.org
Phone: 303-441-9085
Email: info@lena.org
Partnership Inquiries: jodiwhiteman@lena.org (Jodi Whiteman, Senior Director of Partnerships)
Address: 361 Centennial Parkway, Suite 100, Louisville, CO 80027

Overview

Founded in 2004 by Terry Paul and his wife Judi, LENA Foundation is a nonprofit social enterprise that transforms children's futures through early talk technology and data-driven programs. With $13.1 million in revenue (2023) and a Four-Star Charity Navigator rating (92%), LENA operates primarily as a direct service provider developing proprietary "talk pedometer" technology that measures language interactions between young children and caregivers. While LENA makes limited strategic grants totaling approximately $499,047 annually to 15-18 organizations (representing only 5% of their budget), their primary model involves organizations purchasing or contracting for their evidence-based programs. The foundation has received major philanthropic support from MacKenzie Scott's Yield Giving ($5 million in 2023), the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and Overdeck Family Foundation.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Launch Fund (2020): $525,000 awarded to 12 communities ($25,000-$50,000 per award) to implement LENA Start and LENA Grow programs - appears to be a time-limited initiative, not ongoing
• Strategic Implementation Grants: Approximately $499,047 annually (2023) to 15 organizations for program implementation and research partnerships

Priority Areas

• Early childhood language development (ages 0-5)
• Parent and caregiver engagement in early talk
• Professional development for early childhood educators
• Data-driven approaches to closing the word gap
• Implementation of LENA technology and programs in underserved communities

What They Don't Fund

• General operating support unrelated to LENA program implementation
• Programs for children outside the 0-5 age range
• Initiatives not focused on early language development
• Direct service programs unrelated to their model

Governance and Leadership

CEO/President: Dr. Steve Hannon (PhD in electrical engineering from MIT)

Chief Financial Officer: Carole Brite

Chief Research and Evaluation Officer: Dr. Jill Gilkerson (with LENA since 2005, PhD in linguistics from UCLA, co-developer of original LENA system)

Vice President, Impact: Katharine Correll (joined 2019)

Vice President, Growth: Rocy Gomez O'Keefe (joined 2023)

Senior Director of Partnerships: Jodi Whiteman

Board Members include: Carly Roberts (Associate Program Director at Overdeck Family Foundation), Don Bossi (General Partner at Technology Venture Partners)

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Grants are awarded strategically to organizations implementing LENA programs or conducting related research. Most organizations work with LENA by purchasing or contracting for their programs rather than receiving grants.

Getting on Their Radar

• Contact Jodi Whiteman (jodiwhiteman@lena.org) directly about partnership opportunities
• Complete LENA's readiness assessment for program implementation
• Seek funding from LENA's major supporters (Gates Foundation, Overdeck Family Foundation, W.K. Kellogg Foundation) to purchase LENA programs
• Connect with state early childhood education agencies that have existing LENA partnerships (Tennessee, Colorado, Alaska have statewide initiatives)
• Attend early childhood education conferences where LENA presents, particularly those focused on language development and closing the word gap

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - no public application process

Success Rates

Not applicable - grants are made strategically rather than through competitive application

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process

Application Success Factors

Since LENA does not have a public grant application process, organizations should focus on:

• Demonstrating capacity to implement LENA's evidence-based programs at scale (minimum 10 classrooms for LENA Grow)
• Securing external funding to purchase LENA programs and technology
• Showing alignment with LENA's mission of transforming children's futures through early talk
• Having infrastructure to collect and use data to drive program improvement
• Serving communities with significant word gap challenges
• Building relationships through the readiness assessment and partnership inquiry process
• Leveraging state or regional early childhood initiatives that include LENA implementation

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• LENA is primarily an operating charity that sells programs, not a traditional grant-making foundation
• No public grant application process exists - approach as a program partner rather than grant funder
• Seek funding from LENA's supporters (Gates, Overdeck, Kellogg) to purchase LENA programs
• Strategic grants average $25,000-$50,000 when available, tied to specific implementation initiatives
• Contact Jodi Whiteman directly for partnership opportunities rather than grant applications
• Focus on demonstrating capacity for large-scale implementation (minimum 10 classrooms)
• Consider joining existing state or regional LENA initiatives rather than seeking individual grants

References

• LENA Foundation Official Website (www.lena.org) - Accessed February 2025
• LENA Foundation Form 990 (2023) - ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer
• "LENA Awards Over $525,000 in Launch Grants to 12 Communities" - LENA Press Release, June 2020
• Charity Navigator Profile - LENA Foundation (EIN: 26-3784465)
• "MacKenzie Scott Gives $5 Million to LENA" - Yield Giving announcement, 2023
• LENA Impact Report 2024 - Official LENA publication
• GuideStar/Candid Profile - LENA Foundation organizational data