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Jacob & Charlotte Lehrman Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$1.4M
Grant Range
$3K - $0.8M
Decision Time
5mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,350,500 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Typically 3-6 months from June deadline
  • Grant Range: $2,500 - $825,000
  • Geographic Focus: Washington DC metro area, Israel, global Jewish communities

Contact Details

Website: https://lehrmanfoundation.org
Phone: 1-202-686-8800
Email: Not publicly listed
Administrator: Patricia Dunn
Address: 7110 Lory Lane, Lanham, MD 20706-1114

Overview

The Jacob & Charlotte Lehrman Foundation Inc is a private family foundation established in 1953 and granted tax-exempt status in 1955. With total assets of $12.7 million as of 2024, the foundation distributes approximately $1.35 million annually across roughly 29 organizations. The foundation operates with a dual mission: supporting and enriching Jewish life in Washington DC, Israel, and globally, while also investing in the broader Washington DC community through arts, education, healthcare, environmental causes, and services for underserved children. The foundation is known for its significant support of major Jewish institutions and its annual $25,000 Impact Award, which since 2001 has recognized outstanding emerging nonprofits making extraordinary differences in Washington DC.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

  • General Grants: $2,500 - $825,000 (invitation-based, annual cycle)
  • The Impact Award: $25,000 annually (emerging DC nonprofits making extraordinary impact)

Priority Areas

Jewish Life and Community (Primary Focus)

  • Jewish federations and community organizations
  • Holocaust remembrance and education
  • Israeli humanitarian organizations
  • Jewish social services
  • Jewish cultural and religious institutions

Washington DC Community Investment

  • Arts and cultural organizations
  • Education and youth development
  • Healthcare access and services
  • Environmental protection
  • Services for underserved children

What They Don't Fund

  • Unsolicited applications (invitation-only process)
  • Organizations outside their geographic focus areas
  • Individual assistance or scholarships
  • For-profit entities

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors:

  • Robert Lehrman - President/Director
  • Samuel Lehrman - Treasurer/Director
  • Marc A. Dubick - Vice President/Director
  • Elizabeth Berry - Secretary/Director
  • Max Lehrman - Director

All directors serve without compensation as part of this family foundation structure. Patricia Dunn serves as Administrator, managing day-to-day operations.

The foundation's mission statement reflects the family's commitment: "The Jacob & Charlotte Lehrman Foundation supports and seeks to enrich Jewish life in Washington, DC, Israel, and around the world. We are also committed to making Washington a better place and to supporting the arts, education, underserved children, healthcare, and the environment."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, issuing Requests for Proposals (RFPs) to selected organizations. Organizations that receive invitations submit applications via JotForm on the foundation's website. Applications submitted without invitation are not considered.

Getting on Their Radar

Based on the foundation's giving patterns and the organizations they support, potential grantees should focus on:

  • Building relationships with current grantee organizations in their network, particularly major recipients like the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington
  • Demonstrating excellence in one of their priority areas through public recognition and community impact
  • Participating in Washington DC Jewish community events and initiatives where board members may be involved
  • Competing for the annual Impact Award if you're an emerging DC nonprofit (this appears to be the most accessible entry point)

Decision Timeline

  • Application deadline (when accepting): Second Friday in June
  • Grant distribution: Typically near year-end
  • Processing time: Approximately 3-6 months from deadline to distribution

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed. The foundation maintains a consistent roster of approximately 29-36 organizations funded annually.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations that have been previously invited and funded appear to have opportunities for continued support, as evidenced by recurring grants to organizations like the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's giving patterns and stated priorities:

  • Established track record: The foundation primarily supports well-established organizations with proven impact in their focus areas
  • Geographic alignment: Strong preference for organizations serving the Washington DC metropolitan area or supporting Jewish communities globally
  • Mission alignment: Clear connection to either Jewish community support or DC community improvement priorities
  • Scale of impact: Larger grants go to organizations demonstrating broad community reach (e.g., Jewish Federation received $825,000 of the $1.35M total)
  • Relationship cultivation: Given the invitation-only process, developing relationships with board members or current grantees is essential
  • Impact Award opportunity: Emerging DC nonprofits should consider the annual Impact Award as their primary entry point - this $25,000 award specifically seeks organizations "making an extraordinary difference in the city"

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • The foundation operates exclusively through invitation/RFP - unsolicited applications will not be considered
  • Focus relationship-building efforts on major grantees like Jewish Federation of Greater Washington who may provide introductions
  • The Impact Award represents the most accessible opportunity for new organizations to establish a relationship with the foundation
  • Grant sizes vary dramatically ($2,500 to $825,000), suggesting the foundation tailors support to organizational capacity and project scope
  • The foundation maintains long-term relationships with core grantees, indicating loyalty to effective partners
  • Dual-track funding (Jewish/general DC community) means organizations should emphasize whichever track best aligns with their mission
  • With no paid staff and all-volunteer board, expect limited communication and formal processes concentrated around the annual June deadline

References

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