The Lemelson Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $16,100,000
Total Assets: $416,600,000
Grant Range: $5,000 - $3,000,000
Median Grant: $95,000
Decision Time: 6 months
Geographic Focus: United States (with special focus on Oregon), India, Kenya, and global climate initiatives
Application Method: Invitation-only with inquiry form option

Contact Details

Address: 2035 NW Front Avenue, Suite 501, Portland, OR 97209

Phone: 503-827-8910

Inquiry Form: Available on website for organizations seeking alignment review

Overview

The Lemelson Foundation was established in 1992 by prolific U.S. inventor Jerome "Jerry" Lemelson and his wife Dorothy "Dolly" Lemelson. With total assets of $416.6 million, the Foundation has provided or committed more than $290 million in grants and program-related investments (PRIs) since its inception. The Foundation's mission is to improve lives through invention, believing that inventors will solve major challenges in the United States and around the world. In 2024, the Foundation distributed $16.1 million through 60 grants. The Foundation operates under an "Impact Inventing" framework, supporting inventions that have positive social impact, reflect environmental responsibility, and support financially self-sustaining business models. In 2023, the Foundation launched a $50 million Climate Initiative to commemorate founder Jerome Lemelson's 100th birthday, demonstrating expanded commitment to climate action.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Foundation supports three strategic areas through various grant types:

Invention Education Programs - $5,000 - $3,000,000 Programs developing STEM-based invention education across the United States, with emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Recent examples include support for the Lemelson-MIT program, InvenTeam grants ($7,500 each to high school teams), and middle school inventor recognition programs.

Invention & Entrepreneurship - $95,000 median Support for ecosystems that help invention-based businesses move from incubation to market. Recent grants include funding for VentureWell, university entrepreneurship centers (University of Oregon's Lundquist Center), and the launch of an Impact Inventing master's degree program at Kenyatta University in Kenya.

Climate Action - Major multi-year grants Leveraging invention and innovation to address climate change. Recent grants include $2 million to RMI and Third Derivative for the Industrial Innovation Cohorts initiative, and funding through Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors for climate justice movements in the Global South. Other recent climate grantees include Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy, Action for the Climate Emergency, and Environmental Defense Fund.

Regional Ecosystems (Oregon-focused) - Various amounts Pilot program restricted to Oregon, including support for collegiate invention competitions and youth entrepreneurship programs.

Priority Areas

Hardware, materials, and physical sciences innovation (not software/programming-focused)
STEM-based invention education with focus on underserved communities
Sustainable and scalable technologies for vulnerable populations in India and Kenya
Climate solutions that can be accelerated and scaled globally
Engineering education integrating environmental and social sustainability
Impact inventions with positive social impact, environmental responsibility, and financially self-sustaining business models
Diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in invention education and entrepreneurship

What They Don't Fund

Direct funding to individuals - IRS regulations prohibit grants to individuals; only organizations with charitable purposes qualify
Software or programming-related innovation - Focus is on hardware, materials, and physical sciences
Businesses that will do harm - Foundation is sector-agnostic but excludes harmful businesses
Geographic restrictions - Only operates in United States (especially Oregon), India, Kenya, and global climate initiatives
Independent inventor development - Does not support individual inventors in creation or development of inventions

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

The Foundation is led by the sons of founders Jerome and Dorothy Lemelson:

Robert Lemelson - President, Secretary, and Assistant Treasurer

Eric Lemelson - Vice President, Treasurer, and Assistant Secretary

Eric Lemelson has articulated the Foundation's vision for sustainability: "fundamental changes in the ways we power our world and interact with the Earth and each other on an individual and societal level — a globally decarbonized society that is more equitable, hopeful, and just."

Leadership Team

Rob Schneider - Executive Director (since October 2021)

Schneider joined the Foundation in 2018 as Senior Director of Strategy, managing the program officer team and leading strategy development. He previously served at the U.S. Agency for International Development as Division Chief for Global Partnerships within the Global Development Lab. Schneider holds an MBA and Master of Urban Planning from the University of Michigan, and a BS in Industrial Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Dr. Carol Dahl - Former Executive Director (2011-2021)

Dahl served as the Foundation's second Executive Director for over 10 years, bringing expertise from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (founding Director of Global Health Discovery Program) and the U.S. National Institutes of Health.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Lemelson Foundation does not have a traditional public application process. The Foundation operates through invitation-only grantmaking, with funding decisions made by staff who identify opportunities in the field.

However, organizations that believe their work aligns with the Foundation's mission and strategic priorities may submit an inquiry form available on the Foundation's website. Program staff will review submissions and follow up if the organization and project align with the Foundation's strategy.

The Foundation identifies potential partners through:

Recommendations from researchers, practitioners, and policymakers
Referrals from existing grantees
Inquiry form submissions
Staff-initiated outreach and field scanning

Important: The Foundation states it "funds very few unsolicited applications," emphasizing the highly selective nature of inquiry form submissions.

Decision Timeline

For organizations invited to submit a full proposal:

Inquiry form submission - Rolling basis
Staff review of inquiry - Timeline varies
Invitation to submit full proposal - If aligned with strategy
Full proposal review - Approximately 6 months from submission to decision
Staff evaluation - Proposals reviewed by Foundation staff
Board or Executive Director approval - Depending on grant size
Award letter - Formal agreement outlining terms and conditions

Success Rates

Specific success rate data is not publicly available. However, the Foundation explicitly states it "funds very few unsolicited applications," indicating a highly competitive and selective process. With 60 grants awarded annually from assets of $416.6 million, the Foundation maintains a focused, strategic approach to grantmaking rather than broad solicitation.

Reapplication Policy

The Foundation does not publish specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants. Given the invitation-only structure, organizations not invited for full proposals after inquiry submission may resubmit inquiries as their work evolves and potentially aligns more closely with Foundation priorities.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Foundation's published criteria and recent grant awards, successful proposals demonstrate:

Strategic Alignment with Opportunity Criteria

The Foundation evaluates proposals against specific "Opportunity Criteria":

Direct Impact - Potential for meaningful, measurable change
Leverage - Ability to amplify results beyond the immediate project
Opportunity for Learning - Educational and developmental potential for the field
Financial Commitment - Sustainable financial model

Secondary Evaluation Factors

Population Served - Focus on vulnerable communities and underserved populations
Environmental Sustainability - Projects must be environmentally responsible
Innovation and Learning - "Does the proposed project offer inventive and/or innovative solutions and opportunities for growth?"
Financial Sustainability - "Is the project financially sustainable?"

Recent Funding Patterns

Organizations that received funding in 2024 shared these characteristics:

Established track records - University programs (MIT, University of Oregon, Kenyatta University), established nonprofits (VentureWell, RMI, ASEE)
Focus on systems change - Rather than individual inventions, funded projects build educational programs, ecosystems, and infrastructure
Impact Inventing alignment - Projects demonstrate social impact, environmental responsibility, and financial sustainability
Climate action emphasis - Significant funding directed toward climate solutions, particularly in 2024
Diversity and inclusion focus - Programs emphasizing access for underserved communities and people of color
Multi-year relationships - Many grantees (like Lemelson-MIT) receive ongoing, sustained support

Application Quality Factors

The Foundation advises applicants to:

Demonstrate organizational capacity - "Applicants should highlight their qualifications and any relevant experience that demonstrates their capacity to execute the proposed project effectively"
Carefully review Foundation criteria - "Carefully review their approach and criteria as well as the eligibility information to determine whether your organization may potentially align with the Foundation's strategy"
Focus on hardware/materials/physical sciences - Avoid software-focused proposals
Emphasize systems over individuals - Show how the project builds capacity, not just supports one inventor

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Invitation-only structure requires strategic relationship building - Submit a compelling inquiry form demonstrating clear alignment with Impact Inventing framework: social impact, environmental responsibility, and financial sustainability
Focus on systems and ecosystems, not individual inventions - The Foundation funds programs, educational initiatives, and infrastructure that support many inventors rather than individual invention development
Hardware/materials/physical sciences only - Do not submit proposals focused on software or programming innovation
Six-month timeline requires patience - Plan funding needs well in advance; the decision process from invited proposal to award takes approximately six months
Geographic focus matters - U.S. organizations (especially Oregon), India, and Kenya receive priority; climate initiatives may have global reach
Organizational track record is critical - Recent grants favor established institutions with demonstrated capacity; newer organizations should emphasize team qualifications and experience
Climate action is a major priority - The $50 million Climate Initiative launched in 2023 signals expanded opportunity in this area for eligible organizations