Janet Q Lawson Foundation
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- The filings say the foundation gives only to preselected charitable organisations and does not accept unsolicited requests, so do not send a cold proposal; approach it only through an existing link that could lead to an invitation.
- Its grants cover a broad mix of higher-education, arts, conservation, school, health and social-service organisations, described as general financial support rather than one named programme, so check that your work sits within that mix.
- Typical grants fall between $3,500 and $75,000 for about 8 in 10 grants, the median is $10,000 and half of grants are $10,000 or less, so a request in the low five figures is a realistic size, though the largest grant was about $1,400,000.
- Most grant dollars have gone to organisations in Utah, with further grants to Indiana; no geographic focus is stated, so this shows where grants have gone rather than who may apply.
- Repeat giving is strong, with 65% of grant dollars to organisations going to groups the foundation had funded in earlier filings, so an established relationship is likely to count for more than a first contact.
Overview
Janet Q Lawson Foundation is a US private foundation based in Salt Lake City, UT.
What they fund
Profile based on the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) only: no website or other web source for the foundation was found. Every statement is checked against the filings. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The filings describe the grants as general financial support. Recipients include higher-education institutions, arts and cultural organisations, conservation and outdoor organisations, schools, health providers, and social-service and community organisations. Most grant dollars went to organisations in Utah; further grants reached Indiana and other states. The record therefore shows support for a varied mix of established institutions and local community organisations rather than a single named field. It does not set out a more specific programme focus or explain which kinds of organisation are eligible to apply.
Geographic Focus
No geographic focus is stated; the filings show grants mainly in Utah and Indiana.
How to apply
The filing indicates that grants go to preselected charitable organisations and unsolicited requests are not accepted; it gives no further application steps.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 65% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 160 grants to organisations were $10,000 or less.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
6 other states: <1%
- The largest single recipient received 41% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 65% of grant dollars went to organisations Janet Q Lawson Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
- 10% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 54 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $10,000 (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Utah State University · General Financial Support$1,381,0002024 tax year
- Renaissance Charitable Foundation · General Financial Support$840,0002024 tax year
- Entrada Cultural Center · General Financial Support$280,0002024 tax year
- Intermountain Foundation at Primary Children's Hospital · General Financial Support$255,0002024 tax year
- Ballet West · General Financial Support$130,0002024 tax year
- YMCA of Northern Utah · General Financial Support$110,0002024 tax year
- Huntsman Mental Health Institute · General Financial Support$100,0002024 tax year
- Salt Lake Tribune · General Financial Support$100,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Jason Tholen — Advisor
- Mathieu C Shrontz — Advisor
- Tatiana E Lawson — Advisor
- Stewart Q Lawson — Trustee / Advisor
- Charles H Livsey — Trustee / Advisor
- Dr Erik C Erlingsson — Trustee / Advisor
- Ellen E Rossi — Trustee / Advisor
- Peter Q Lawson — Trustee / Advisor
- Frederick Q Lawson — Trustee / Advisor
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $4,167,464 | $3,197,900 | $61,245,267 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $3,500,419 | $2,672,800 | $67,596,611 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $4,640,664 | $3,889,500 | $69,811,320 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
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At a glance
Applying to Janet Q Lawson Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Salt Lake City, UT
Applying to Janet Q Lawson Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Salt Lake City, UT