The Norman and Sadie Lee Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1,832,000 (2023)
• Total Assets: $32.7 million
• Number of Grants: 23 grants (2023)
• Grant Range: $3,000 - $500,000
• Median Grant: $10,000
• Geographic Focus: National (United States)

Contact Details

Address: 1925 Century Park East, 16th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90067

EIN: 95-3333368

Overview

The Norman and Sadie Lee Foundation was established in 1978 to honor the legacy of Norman and Sadie Lee, Los Angeles philanthropists with a decades-long tradition of charitable giving. With total assets of approximately $32.7 million, the foundation awarded $1,832,000 through 23 grants in 2023. The foundation focuses on three primary areas: medical research and services, culture and the arts, and education. Norman and Sadie Lee were particularly known for their longtime support of City of Hope, including instrumental involvement in Queen Elizabeth II's 1983 visit to dedicate the Sadie & Norman Lee British Biomedical Research Center. The foundation operates as a private foundation and only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not have formal grant programs or funding cycles. All grants are made at the discretion of the foundation's leadership to preselected organizations.

Recent Grant Amounts (2023):

• Large grants: $160,000 - $500,000 (major arts and cultural institutions, significant healthcare initiatives)
• Medium grants: $20,000 - $128,000 (universities, established nonprofits)
• Small grants: $3,000 - $10,000 (various charitable organizations)

Priority Areas

Medical Research and Services

• Childhood cancer research and pediatric care
• Healthcare institutions and medical research centers
• Notable: $1.5 million professorship at City of Hope for pediatric cancer research

Culture and the Arts

• Performing arts organizations (opera, symphony, theater)
• Museums and cultural institutions
• Major recent recipients: Los Angeles Philharmonic ($458,000), Los Angeles Opera ($160,000)

Education

• Universities and higher education institutions
• Recent recipients: USC Associates ($128,000), UCLA Foundation ($20,000)

Other Causes

• Jewish organizations and Israel-related causes
• Donor-advised funds and impact investing vehicles

What They Don't Fund

Organizations without existing relationships with the foundation or its board members.

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors:

• Paul James - Director and President
• Bryan Isaacs - Director, Secretary and Treasurer
• Mark James - Vice President

The foundation was created by Norman and Sadie Lee, prominent Los Angeles philanthropists with deep ties to healthcare (particularly City of Hope), the arts, and education.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation explicitly states: "The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

All grants are made at the discretion of the foundation's board to organizations with which they have existing relationships.

Application Success Factors

Since the foundation operates entirely on a discretionary basis without accepting applications, traditional success factors do not apply. The foundation's giving pattern shows:

• Multi-year relationships with recipient organizations
• Preference for large, well-established institutions
• Strong emphasis on Los Angeles-area organizations
• Board member connections likely influence funding decisions

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process: The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications - all grants go to preselected organizations
• Relationship-driven: Grants go to organizations with existing connections to board members or the Lee family legacy
• Los Angeles focus: While national in scope, LA-area institutions receive the largest grants
• Three core areas: Medical research/healthcare, arts/culture, and education are consistent priorities
• Wide grant range: From $3,000 to $500,000, with most grants between $10,000-$50,000
• Established institutions favored: Major grants go to prominent organizations like LA Philharmonic, LA Opera, USC, UCLA, and City of Hope

References

1. Cause IQ - Norman and Sadie Lee Foundation Profile. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/norman-and-sadie-lee-foundation,953333368/ (Accessed February 2026)

2. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - The Norman And Sadie Lee Foundation. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/953333368 (Accessed February 2026)

3. Instrumentl 990 Report - The Norman And Sadie Lee Foundation. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/the-norman-and-sadie-lee-foundation (Accessed February 2026)

4. Grantmakers.io Profile - The Norman and Sadie Lee Foundation. https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/953333368-the-norman-and-sadie-lee-foundation/ (Accessed February 2026)

5. "City of Hope Physician-Scientist Markus Müschen, M.D., Ph.D., Named The Norman and Sadie Lee Foundation Professorship in Pediatrics." Business Wire, June 1, 2017. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170601006702/en/ (Accessed February 2026)

6. "$1.5 Million Gift from the Norman and Sadie Lee Foundation Establishes Pediatric Professorship at City of Hope." Hey SoCal, November 15, 2012. https://heysocal.com/2012/11/15/1-5-million-gift-from-the-norman-and-sadie-lee-foundation-establishes-pediatric-professorship-at-city-of-hope/ (Accessed February 2026)