Luchen Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $666,916 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
• Geographic Focus: Not publicly disclosed
• Foundation Type: Private grantmaking foundation
• Total Assets: $14,043,238 (2024)

Contact Details

Note: The Luchen Foundation does not maintain a public website or publicly listed contact information.

EIN: 27-1424418
Location: Lewes, Delaware

Overview

The Luchen Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in May 2012 and based in Lewes, Delaware. With total assets of approximately $14 million and annual charitable disbursements of $666,916 (2024), the foundation has demonstrated consistent growth in its grantmaking activities. The foundation's charitable spending has increased significantly in recent years, from $150,000 in 2022 to $666,916 in 2024. The foundation generates revenue primarily through investment dividends (37%) and sales of assets (63%). Led by President Robert Chen and Vice President Onnie Lu, both of whom serve without compensation, the foundation operates as a private family foundation with minimal public presence. The foundation's specific mission and strategic focus areas have not been publicly disclosed.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Luchen Foundation does not publicize specific grant programs or funding tiers. As a private foundation, it makes charitable disbursements totaling approximately $667,000 annually, but the specific recipients, grant sizes, and application processes are not publicly available.

Priority Areas

The foundation has not publicly disclosed its funding priorities, focus areas, or types of organizations it supports. Based on IRS Form 990-PF filings, the foundation does make grants, but the specific areas of interest are not documented in publicly accessible sources.

What They Don't Fund

No public information is available regarding exclusions or restrictions on grantmaking.

Governance and Leadership

President: Robert Chen (serves without compensation)
Vice President: Onnie Lu (serves without compensation)

The foundation operates with a minimal governance structure typical of small private family foundations. Both officers serve without compensation, indicating the foundation is likely managed by family members or close associates as a philanthropic vehicle. No additional trustees or advisory board members are publicly listed. The foundation has not published statements from leadership regarding grantmaking philosophy or priorities.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Luchen Foundation does not have a public application process. As a private grantmaking foundation, it does not accept unsolicited applications or maintain a website, email, or phone contact for grant inquiries. Grants appear to be awarded at the discretion of the foundation's leadership (President Robert Chen and Vice President Onnie Lu) without a formal public application mechanism.

This is typical of many small private family foundations, which often:

• Make grants to organizations already known to the trustees
• Fund causes personally identified by family members
• Operate through invitation-only grantmaking
• Award grants based on trustee discretion rather than competitive application processes

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Success rates for public applicants cannot be determined.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Application Success Factors

For organizations seeking to understand this funder:

Given the private nature of this foundation and the absence of a public application process, traditional "application success factors" do not apply. However, organizations researching this funder should note:

1. Private Foundation Model: The Luchen Foundation operates as a private family foundation, which typically means grants are made based on the personal interests and relationships of the trustees rather than through competitive application processes.

2. Limited Transparency: With no website, public contact information, or disclosed grantmaking priorities, this foundation maintains minimal public engagement - a common characteristic of private family foundations that prefer to operate quietly.

3. Growing Grantmaking: The foundation's charitable disbursements have grown substantially (from $150,000 in 2022 to $666,916 in 2024), suggesting an expanding commitment to philanthropy, even if conducted privately.

4. Self-Directed: Both officers serve without compensation, indicating this is a self-directed philanthropic vehicle rather than a professionally staffed foundation.

Important Note: Organizations will not be able to apply to this foundation through traditional grant application processes. Any grants made are likely to be proactively identified and awarded by the foundation's leadership.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Public Application Process: This foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications and has no public application mechanism
• Private Family Foundation: Operates as a typical private family foundation with grantmaking decisions made at trustee discretion
• Substantial Assets: With $14 million in assets and growing annual giving (now $667,000), this is a significant grantmaker, though not publicly accessible
• Minimal Public Presence: No website, public contact information, or disclosed funding priorities
• Growing Philanthropy: Annual charitable disbursements have more than quadrupled from 2022 to 2024, indicating expanding philanthropic activity
• Not a Prospect for Cold Applications: Organizations should not attempt to submit unsolicited proposals, as this foundation does not have mechanisms to receive or review them
• Research Value Only: Information about this foundation is useful for understanding the philanthropic landscape but does not represent a viable funding opportunity for organizations without existing connections to the trustees

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Luchen Foundation (EIN: 27-1424418). Available at: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/271424418 (Accessed: February 9, 2026)
• IRS Form 990-PF filings for Luchen Foundation, tax years 2022-2024, accessed through ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer
• IRS Tax Exempt Organization Database