Llewellyn Family Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $3,010,000 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available (invitation-only process)
• Decision Time: 1-2 months (from invited proposal submission to award)
• Grant Range: $122 - $1,000,000
• Geographic Focus: Primarily Northeastern United States (NY, PA, MA, DC, CA, MD)

Contact Details

Website: https://llewellynfoundation.org/

Physical Address: Harrison, NY

Application Method: Inquiry through website contact form (invitation-only process)

Overview

The Llewellyn Family Foundation was established in 2018 as a private foundation based in Harrison, New York (EIN 38-4004143). With total assets of approximately $53.8 million and annual giving of $3 million, the foundation supports initiatives that address the health, education, and well-being of individuals, families, and communities. The foundation operates through a selective, invitation-only grant process with two annual funding cycles. In 2024, the foundation made 10 grants ranging from $122 to $1,000,000, demonstrating flexibility in grant sizes to match project needs. The foundation has maintained consistent grant-making activity since its inception, averaging 10-15 awards annually.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates two annual funding cycles:

Spring Cycle:

• Inquiries due by April 30
• Invited full proposals due by May 31
• Grants awarded by June 30

Fall Cycle:

• Inquiries due by September 30
• Invited full proposals due by October 31
• Grants awarded by December 15

Grant Range: $122 - $1,000,000 (typical awards span this range, with the foundation demonstrating flexibility based on project scope)

Priority Areas

The foundation focuses on three core areas:

Health: Initiatives that improve health outcomes and access to healthcare for individuals and communities

Education: Programs that enhance educational opportunities and outcomes for learners

Well-being: Projects that support the overall well-being of individuals, families, and communities

Geographic Focus: While the foundation is based in New York, grants have been awarded in New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, District of Columbia, California, and Maryland, indicating a multi-state scope primarily concentrated in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly listed, but the foundation:

• Does not accept unsolicited full proposals
• Requires organizations to have 501(c)(3) non-profit status
• Does not respond to applications that bypass the inquiry process

Governance and Leadership

Leadership information for the Llewellyn Family Foundation is not publicly detailed on their website. As a private family foundation, governance is typically managed by family trustees. Detailed officer and trustee information is available in the foundation's annual Form 990-PF filings accessible through ProPublica's Nonprofit Explorer or the IRS.

The foundation operates with minimal administrative overhead, with charitable disbursements representing approximately 90.5% of total expenses.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not accept unsolicited full proposals. The Llewellyn Family Foundation operates an invitation-only grant process with a required initial inquiry stage:

Step 1: Submit Initial Inquiry

• Use the "Contact Us" form on the foundation's website (llewellynfoundation.org)
• Submit inquiry by the deadline for your target cycle (April 30 for Spring, September 30 for Fall)

Step 2: Await Invitation (If Selected)

• The foundation reviews inquiries and invites selected organizations to submit full proposals
• If invited, you will receive instructions and a deadline for the full proposal

Step 3: Full Proposal Submission (If Invited)

Required materials include:

• Proof of 501(c)(3) non-profit status
• Project description (maximum 3 pages)
• Detailed budget
• Project timeline
• List of other potential funding sources

Step 4: Decision

• Spring cycle grants awarded by June 30
• Fall cycle grants awarded by December 15

Decision Timeline

Spring Cycle:

• Inquiry to invitation: Approximately 1 month (May)
• Full proposal submission to decision: Approximately 1 month (June)
• Total timeline: Approximately 2 months (April 30 to June 30)

Fall Cycle:

• Inquiry to invitation: Approximately 1 month (October)
• Full proposal submission to decision: Approximately 1.5 months (October-December)
• Total timeline: Approximately 2.5 months (September 30 to December 15)

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available. The foundation makes 10-15 grants annually from their inquiry pool. Given the invitation-only structure, the number of initial inquiries received is not disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

Unsuccessful proposals may be resubmitted at the discretion of the trustees. Organizations whose proposals are not selected may submit new inquiries in subsequent funding cycles. The foundation's policy suggests openness to reconsidering organizations with strong missions that align with foundation priorities.

Application Success Factors

While the foundation does not publish extensive guidance on what makes applications successful, the following factors can be inferred from their process and priorities:

Alignment with Mission: The foundation's mission explicitly focuses on health, education, and well-being. Projects should clearly demonstrate how they address one or more of these areas for individuals, families, or communities.

Strong Initial Inquiry: Since full proposals are by invitation only, the initial inquiry is critical. The 3-page project description must concisely communicate the project's purpose, need, approach, and expected impact.

Demonstrated Sustainability: The requirement to list "other potential funding sources" suggests the foundation values projects with diversified funding or a path to sustainability beyond foundation support.

Clear Budget and Timeline: The foundation requests detailed budgets and project timelines, indicating they value well-planned, financially sound initiatives.

Organizational Capacity: As a private foundation making selective grants, they likely assess whether organizations have the capacity to successfully execute proposed projects.

Geographic Considerations: While not explicitly limited, the foundation's grant history shows concentration in the Northeastern United States, particularly New York, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts.

Grant Size Flexibility: The wide range of grant amounts ($122 to $1,000,000) indicates the foundation considers both small, targeted projects and larger, comprehensive initiatives. Applicants should request amounts appropriate to their project scope.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Invitation-only process: You cannot submit a full proposal unless invited; invest significant effort in crafting a compelling initial 3-page inquiry
• Two annual deadlines: Plan ahead for either the Spring (April 30) or Fall (September 30) inquiry deadlines
• Broad mission: The foundation's three focus areas (health, education, well-being) are intentionally broad, allowing for diverse project types
• Flexible grant sizes: The $122-$1,000,000 range shows the foundation funds projects of vastly different scales; request what your project genuinely needs
• Multi-state reach: While based in New York, the foundation has funded projects across multiple states, particularly in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic
• Quick turnaround: From inquiry submission to grant award is only 2-2.5 months, relatively fast for a private foundation
• Reapplication allowed: If not selected, trustees may allow resubmission, so maintaining a relationship and refining proposals is worthwhile

References

1. Llewellyn Family Foundation official website - https://llewellynfoundation.org/ - Accessed January 21, 2026
2. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Llewellyn Family Foundation (EIN 38-4004143) - https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/384004143 - Accessed January 21, 2026
3. Instrumentl 990 Report - Llewellyn Family Foundation - https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/llewellyn-family-foundation - Accessed January 21, 2026
4. Foundation financial data from Form 990-PF filings (2023-2024 fiscal years)
5. Grant award data compiled from nonprofit databases including Cause IQ and Charity Navigator