Lorber Family Foundation

Quick Stats

• Total Assets: $37 million (2024)
• Annual Giving: $1.8 million
• Grant Range: Varies - Median grant $50,000
• Number of Grants: 31 grants (2024), 40 grants (2023)
• Geographic Focus: Primarily California, with some grants in Massachusetts and nationally
• Application Process: No public application process - invitation only

Contact Details

Location: Redwood City, CA (originally); Boston, MA office location also listed

Note: The foundation does not accept unsolicited funding requests and only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations.

Overview

The Lorber Family Foundation was established and received tax-exempt status in August 2014. With total assets of $37 million and annual charitable disbursements of approximately $1.8 million, the foundation is managed by trustees Margaret Susan Lorber and Sarah Jane Lorber, who serve without compensation. The foundation has grown significantly since its founding, increasing its assets from $4.36 million in 2014 to $37 million by 2024. While the foundation does not publish a formal mission statement, their grantmaking pattern reveals a strong focus on social justice, racial equity, community health, and supporting grassroots California organizations. The foundation primarily provides general support grants to preselected organizations across the United States, with a heavy concentration in California.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through a single discretionary grantmaking program. Based on 2024 data:

• General Support Grants: Median grant size of $50,000
• Grant Range: Varies by organization and need (31 grants totaling $1.8 million in 2024)
• Distribution Method: Trustee discretion, preselected organizations

Priority Areas

Based on recent grantmaking patterns, the foundation supports:

• Social Justice and Racial Equity: Including organizations focused on community empowerment and racial justice
• Health Organizations: Including cancer research and community health initiatives
• Grassroots Community Organizations: Particularly those serving marginalized communities
• California-Based Organizations: 25 of 31 grants (81%) went to California organizations in 2024

Recent Grant Recipients (2024) include:

• American Cancer Society
• California Black Power Network
• Tides Center
• Heluna Health
• Mujeres Unidas y Activas
• Social Justice Learning Institute

What They Don't Fund

The foundation has not published explicit exclusions, but their grantmaking pattern shows:

• No international organizations (focus is domestic U.S.)
• Organizations are preselected by trustees

Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

• Margaret Susan Lorber, Trustee
• Sarah Jane Lorber, Trustee

Both trustees serve without compensation. The foundation operates as a family foundation with decision-making concentrated in the hands of these two trustees. No additional staff or advisory board members are publicly listed.

The foundation maintains a lean operational structure with 88.4% of expenses going directly to charitable disbursements (2024).

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process.

The foundation explicitly states that it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations" and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. All grants are awarded at the discretion of the trustees to organizations they have identified and selected through their own research and networks.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are awarded through trustee discretion to preselected organizations rather than through a formal application cycle.

Success Rates

Not applicable for unsolicited applications - the foundation does not accept them.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications.

Application Success Factors

Since the Lorber Family Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, organizations that have received funding share certain characteristics:

Characteristics of Funded Organizations:

• California Connection: Strong preference for California-based organizations, particularly those serving Bay Area and Los Angeles communities
• Social Justice Focus: Organizations working on racial equity, community empowerment, and social change
• General Support Philosophy: The foundation provides unrestricted general support rather than project-specific funding
• Grassroots Organizations: Emphasis on community-based organizations rather than large national institutions (though some larger organizations like American Cancer Society are included)
• Health and Wellness: Organizations addressing community health needs

Funding Pattern Analysis:

• Median grant size of $50,000 suggests mid-sized support for organizations
• 31 grants from $1.8 million indicates selective but meaningful support
• Repeat funding to organizations suggests long-term relationships are valued
• Geographic concentration shows trustees have deep knowledge of California nonprofit landscape

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Public Application Process: This foundation cannot be approached through traditional grant applications - they select organizations proactively
• California Focus: 81% of grants go to California organizations, with particular emphasis on community-based groups
• Social Justice Priority: Recent grantmaking heavily emphasizes racial equity and social justice organizations
• General Support Model: The foundation provides unrestricted general support grants, indicating trust in organizational leadership
• Median Grant Size: $50,000 median suggests they fund mid-sized organizations or provide meaningful support to smaller groups
• Trustee-Driven: All decisions are made by two family trustees, suggesting personal connection and alignment with values is critical
• Growth Trajectory: Foundation assets have grown 8.5x since 2014, indicating increasing grantmaking capacity over time

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Lorber Family Foundation (EIN 61-1733138). Accessed January 16, 2026. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/611733138
• Grantmakers.io Profile - Lorber Family Foundation. Accessed January 16, 2026. https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/611733138-lorber-family-foundation/
• Instrumentl 990 Report - Lorber Family Foundation. Accessed January 16, 2026. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/lorber-family-foundation
• Grantable Foundation Profile - Lorber Family Foundation (US Foundation 611733138). Accessed January 16, 2026. https://www.grantable.co/search/funders/profile/lorber-family-foundation-us-foundation-611733138
• IRS Form 990-PF filings for tax years 2014-2024