Janet Q Lawson Foundation

Quick Stats

EIN: 87-0481508
Annual Giving: $3,197,900 (2022)
Total Assets: $60 million
Typical Grant Range: $10,000 median, with major grants up to $7 million
Number of Grants: 56 annually
Geographic Focus: Utah (primarily Salt Lake City area)
Application Policy: Invite-only, no unsolicited applications accepted

Contact Details

Address: PO Box 45385, Salt Lake City, UT 84145

EIN: 87-0481508

Note: The foundation does not maintain public contact information for grant inquiries as it operates by invitation only.

Overview

The Janet Q Lawson Foundation was established in 1991 as a private family foundation honoring Janet Quinney Lawson (1922-2008), daughter of prominent Utah lawyer and philanthropist S.J. Quinney. With approximately $60 million in assets, the foundation distributes around $2.7-3.2 million annually through an average of 56 grants. The foundation's mission focuses on supporting performing arts, children's services, social services, children's medical centers, and zoological organizations in Utah. Janet Quinney Lawson was known throughout Utah as an avid supporter of the arts, Girl Scouts, environmental conservation, and outdoor recreation. The foundation continues her legacy through strategic grantmaking managed by family trustees, including her sons Frederick Q. Lawson and Peter Q. Lawson. The foundation operates exclusively through trustee-selected beneficiaries and does not accept unsolicited grant applications.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through a single discretionary grantmaking program with no formal application cycles or deadlines. Grants are awarded at trustee discretion to preselected organizations.

Grant Range: While the median grant is $10,000, the foundation has made transformational gifts including:

$7 million to Utah State University for the Janet Quinney Lawson Institute for Land, Water and Air (2021)
Multi-million dollar support for the Janet Q. Lawson Endowed Deanship at Utah State University
Support for the Janet Quinney Lawson Capitol Theatre renovation (2013)
Major gifts to S.J. Quinney College of Law (between $1-5 million range)

Priority Areas

Performing Arts Organizations:

Ballet West (ongoing support)
Utah Symphony & Opera (ongoing support)
Theatre and performing arts venues
University fine arts programs

Children and Youth Services:

Girl Scouts of the U.S.A.
Children's welfare organizations
Youth education programs

Children's Medical Centers:

Primary Children's Hospital and related foundations
Pediatric healthcare organizations

Zoological Organizations:

Utah's Hogle Zoo
Wildlife conservation programs

Higher Education:

S.J. Quinney College of Law at University of Utah
College of Fine Arts at University of Utah
Utah State University (particularly programs related to land, water, air, agriculture, and natural resources)

Environmental and Natural Resource Conservation:

Programs promoting appreciation of Utah's outdoors
Land, water, and air conservation initiatives
Environmental education

Social Services:

Community-based social service organizations
Programs serving Utah communities

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation appears to focus exclusively on Utah-based organizations, particularly those in the Salt Lake City area. As a family foundation operating by invitation only, they do not fund organizations outside their preselected portfolio.

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is governed by family trustees, including:

The Very Reverend Frederick Q. Lawson: Trustee and son of Janet Quinney Lawson. Frederick Q. Lawson is also the founder of the separate Frederick Q Lawson Foundation (EIN 87-0481510) and is the grandson of S.J. Quinney, after whom the S.J. Quinney College of Law is named. In 2001, he played a significant role in establishing the S.J. Quinney College of Law naming gift. Regarding the foundation's recent major gifts, he stated: "It is our hope that this endowed chair will attract the finest candidates to be the next dean."

Peter Q. Lawson: Trustee and son of Janet Quinney Lawson.

Ellen E. Rossi: Trustee/Advisor (per IRS filings)

Multiple trustees/advisors receive approximately $5,000 in annual compensation, with officer compensation totaling $45,000 annually.

The foundation's assets are managed by the board of trustees through a portfolio that generates revenue primarily through dividends (34% of revenue) and sales of assets (61% of revenue).

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The Janet Q Lawson Foundation operates exclusively by trustee discretion, making contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. The foundation has explicitly indicated it does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Grant decisions are made by the family trustees based on the foundation's mission and the legacy of Janet Quinney Lawson's philanthropic interests.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - the foundation does not operate on a formal application or decision timeline. Trustees select beneficiary organizations through their own discretion and relationship-building processes.

Success Rates

Not applicable for unsolicited applications, as none are accepted.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - organizations cannot apply or reapply as the foundation operates by invitation only.

Application Success Factors

Given the foundation's invitation-only structure, organizations cannot directly apply for funding. However, understanding what makes organizations attractive to this foundation is valuable:

Alignment with Janet Quinney Lawson's Legacy:

Organizations supporting performing arts, particularly ballet, symphony, and theatre
Children's welfare and youth development programs, especially Girl Scouts
Environmental conservation and programs promoting appreciation of Utah's outdoors
Quality children's healthcare
Natural resource conservation and education

Demonstrated Impact in Utah:

Strong track record of serving Utah communities
Recognized as a leading organization in your sector
Programs that align with the foundation's historical giving patterns

University and Education Connections:

The foundation has shown particular interest in supporting higher education institutions, particularly the University of Utah and Utah State University
Programs related to law, fine arts, agriculture, and natural resources appear to be priorities
The Quinney family legacy includes significant support for legal education and natural resource professions

Long-term Relationships:

The foundation appears to maintain ongoing relationships with beneficiary organizations (e.g., Ballet West, Utah Symphony, Hogle Zoo)
Multi-year support patterns suggest they value sustained partnerships

Capacity for Stewardship:

Organizations capable of honoring naming opportunities (Capitol Theatre, university institutes and deanships)
Ability to provide meaningful recognition of major gifts

Quote from Leadership: The Very Reverend Frederick Q. Lawson emphasized the foundation's interest in supporting leadership and excellence, stating their hope that endowed positions "will attract the finest candidates."

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

No Public Application Process: This foundation cannot be approached through traditional grant application methods. They select beneficiaries through trustee discretion.
Focus on Utah Legacy Organizations: The foundation prioritizes well-established Utah institutions, particularly in performing arts, higher education, children's services, and environmental conservation.
Range of Grant Sizes: While typical grants are around $10,000, the foundation has the capacity and history of making transformational gifts of $1-7 million for major initiatives, naming opportunities, and endowments.
Multi-Generational Philanthropic Family: Understanding the Quinney family legacy (S.J. Quinney and Jessie E. Quinney Foundation) provides context for this foundation's interests in law, arts, natural resources, and Utah community development.
Performing Arts as Core Priority: Ballet West and Utah Symphony receive ongoing support, and the Capitol Theatre bears the Quinney Lawson name, indicating deep commitment to performing arts infrastructure.
Environmental and Natural Resource Focus: Recent major gifts to Utah State University for land, water, and air programs reflect Janet Quinney Lawson's commitment to environmental conservation and outdoor recreation.
Children's Causes: From Girl Scouts to children's medical centers, organizations serving children and youth are core to the foundation's mission.
Building Visibility in the Utah Community: While you cannot apply to this foundation, organizations that become recognized leaders in the foundation's priority areas within Utah may eventually come to the trustees' attention.

References

ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Janet Q Lawson Foundation (EIN 87-0481508). Retrieved January 8, 2026. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/870481508
Cause IQ - Janet Q Lawson Foundation Profile. Retrieved January 8, 2026. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/janet-q-lawson-foundation,870481508/
Deseret News. "Utah philanthropist Janet Lawson dies at 86." December 28, 2008. https://www.deseret.com/2008/12/28/20293442/utah-philanthropist-janet-lawson-dies-at-86/
Utah State University. "USU Announces Janet Q. Lawson Endowed Deanship for College of Agriculture & Natural Resources." Retrieved January 8, 2026. https://www.usu.edu/today/story/usu-announces-janet-q-lawson-endowed-deanship-for-college-of-agriculture-amp-natural-resources
Ballet West. "Corporate, Foundation and Government Support." Retrieved January 8, 2026. https://balletwest.org/donor-acknowledgements/corporate-foundation-and-government-support
University of Utah. "College of Law celebrates 20 years with the S.J. Quinney name." Retrieved January 8, 2026. https://attheu.utah.edu/law-politics/college-of-law-celebrates-20-years-with-the-s-j-quinney-name/
Candid (Foundation Center) - Janet Q Lawson Foundation Profile. Retrieved January 8, 2026. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=LAWS008
S.J. Quinney College of Law - University of Utah. "Giving: Annual Report of Donors." Retrieved January 8, 2026. https://www.law.utah.edu/resgestae-issue/giving-annual-report-of-donors/
Utah Symphony. "Sponsors & Partners." Retrieved January 8, 2026. https://utahsymphony.org/support/sponsors-partners/
Grantmakers.io - Janet Q Lawson Foundation Profile. Retrieved January 8, 2026. https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/870481508-janet-q-lawson-foundation/