Luther I. Replogle Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: ~$450,000–$600,000
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Up to 6 months (twice yearly board meetings)
• Grant Range: $5,000–$35,000 (typical $5,000–$10,000)
• Geographic Focus: Boston MA, Chicago IL, Minneapolis MN, Washington DC metro areas only

Contact Details

• Website: reploglefoundation.org
• Phone: 301-291-7677
• General Email: info@lirf.org
• Executive Director (grants): jessica@lirf.org
• Address: 1201 Seven Locks Road, Suite 360, Potomac, MD 20854
• First-Time Applicants: Sign up for LOI notifications at reploglefoundation.org/first-time-applicants

Overview

The Luther I. Replogle Foundation (LIRF) was established in 1966 by Luther I. Replogle, a businessman, diplomat, and philanthropist. This private family foundation operates from Potomac, Maryland with assets of approximately $12 million and annual charitable distributions between $450,000–$600,000 across 55–60 grants per year.

The foundation's mission focuses on supporting organizations with humanitarian, scholarly, and cultural goals. In practice, this translates to human services grant-making with particular emphasis on inner-city youth and children, and women with children living in or at risk of long-term poverty. The foundation actively seeks innovative programs and organizations with small or modest operating budgets in its four target cities: Boston, Chicago, Minneapolis, and Washington DC.

Under Executive Director Jessica Gebhard (since September 2021), the foundation operates with minimal staff and a family-influenced board of directors that meets twice yearly to make funding decisions.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate named grant streams but provides:

• Standard Grants: $5,000–$10,000 (most common, general operating support preferred)
• Larger Awards: Up to $35,000 (occasional, for exceptional alignment)
• Applications submitted through GrantInterface portal during open LOI periods only

Priority Areas

• Educational enrichment for inner-city children (arts, sciences, tutoring, mentoring, alternative schooling)
• Mental health and wellness services for youth, children, and women with children in poverty
• Career and vocational training services
• Programs addressing needs of youth/children living in or at risk of long-term poverty
• Programs for women with children in poverty situations
• Innovative approaches with small/modest operating budgets
• General operating support strongly preferred over project-specific funding

What They Don't Fund

• Religious activities
• Individual assistance
• Conference-related expenses
• For-profit businesses
• Chemical dependency treatment
• Endowments (except rare cases)
• Health services or health policy
• Senior services
• Travel
• Organizations outside their four target metro areas

Governance and Leadership

Executive Director: Jessica Gebhard (since September 2021) - Previously board member (2019-2021). Manages all grantmaking aspects including LOI review, site visits, and progress reports. BA Linguistics from Brown University, MA Anthropology from University of Denver.

Board of Directors (family-influenced composition):

• Paul Gebhard (President)
• Sophia Gebhard (Vice President/Secretary)
• Darrel Cox Jodrey (Treasurer)
• Additional members include Poppy Anema, Will Anema, Michele Crosby, Elizabeth Replogle Dickie, Emma Gebhard, and Ameerah Phillips

The board meets twice yearly (spring and autumn) to make all funding decisions.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

1. Check "First-Time Applicants" page on reploglefoundation.org for LOI acceptance status
2. Register for email notifications when LOI periods open
3. Submit LOI through GrantInterface portal (only accessible during open periods)
4. If invited, submit full application
5. Jessica Gebhard may conduct site visits during due diligence
6. Board reviews applications at spring or autumn meeting

Geographic Restriction: Only organizations in Boston MA, Chicago IL, Minneapolis MN, and Washington DC metro areas eligible for unsolicited applications.

Decision Timeline

• Board meets twice yearly (spring and autumn)
• Allow up to 6 months from LOI submission to final decision
• Board may defer decisions to subsequent meetings for thorough review

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed. Foundation makes 55-60 grants annually across four target cities.

Reapplication Policy

No formal policy documented. Unsuccessful applicants advised to carefully review current priorities before reapplying.

Application Success Factors

Based on foundation guidelines and grantmaking patterns:

• Request general operating support - Foundation explicitly prefers this over project funding
• Emphasize small budget as an asset - Foundation deliberately favors organizations with modest operating budgets to maximize impact
• Highlight innovation - Clearly articulate what's distinctive or novel about your approach
• Stay within geographic boundaries - Only four metro areas eligible; no exceptions for unsolicited applications
• Focus on inner-city youth and women in poverty - Strongest alignment with funded programs
• Emphasize mental health and vocational training - Current priority areas specifically called out for new applicants
• Recently funded examples include: Reach Incorporated (literacy/leadership), Merit School of Music (arts enrichment), Replogle Center for Counseling and Well-Being, Access Youth
• Prepare for site visits - Be accessible and transparent about financials and impact measurement

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Small family foundation making 55-60 grants annually at $5,000–$10,000 - consider as supplementary funding
• Geographic eligibility is strict: Boston, Chicago, Minneapolis, Washington DC metro areas only
• Register for LOI notifications immediately - foundation periodically closes applications without firm reopening dates
• Lead with general operating support requests rather than project-based funding
• Innovative approaches to inner-city youth poverty represent the strongest alignment
• Small organizations with modest budgets have genuine competitive advantages
• Allow 6 months from LOI to decision given twice-yearly board meetings

References

• Luther I. Replogle Foundation Official Website - reploglefoundation.org (accessed February 17, 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Luther I Replogle Foundation, EIN 366141697 (accessed February 17, 2026)
• Instrumentl 990 Report - Luther I. Replogle Foundation grant data 2017-2024 (accessed February 17, 2026)
• Grantmakers.io Profile - 2023 tax year grantee and board data (accessed February 17, 2026)
• GrantAdvisor - Luther I Replogle Foundation applicant reviews (accessed February 17, 2026)
• Various grantee websites listing LIRF as funder including SitStayRead, Access Youth (accessed February 17, 2026)