THE LEMELSON FOUNDATION
Annual Giving
$19.7M+23% YoY
Grants
71
Median Grant
$115K
Organizations Funded
58
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Foundation Overview
Mission
The Lemelson Foundation's mission is to improve lives through invention; The Foundation focuses on Impact Inventing, prioritizing inventors and inventions that have positive social impact, are environmentally responsible, and yield financially sustainable products and businesses; To spur invention in the 21st century, they fund programs and projects in invention education, entrepreneurship, and climate action as the solutions to a better future
Focus Areas
Grant Types
Funded Initiatives
$50M Climate Initiative with focus on supporting innovative approaches to decarbonize the global economy and remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere; $5.5M to support Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), ClearPath, Sustainable Energy for All, Instituto Clima e Sociedade, and Climate Breakthrough; Engineering for One Planet Mini-Grants Program with teams of educators awarded $8,000 each to integrate sustainability into their programs; Support for Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy's Indigenous Power and Light Fund; Grant funding for Black Inventors Hall of Fame's 2024 STEM Summit; Support for Oregon MESA program for middle and high school students
How to Apply
The Foundation typically does not accept unsolicited proposals, instead working through a relationship-driven approach where their team identifies promising opportunities and builds deep relationships with organizations that exemplify their collaborative goals. Organizations may complete an inquiry form if they believe they align with the Foundation's strategy. Program staff will follow up if it is determined that your organization and project align with the Foundation's strategy. Typically, from start (when program staff requests a proposal) to finish (award letter being sent) takes six months.
Does Not Fund
The Lemelson Foundation does not provide direct funding to individuals. The Foundation conducts its grantmaking in the United States, India, and select countries in East Africa, namely Kenya and Tanzania. Its Regional Ecosystems pilot program is restricted to the state of Oregon.
Based on publicly available information from the foundation's 990 filings and website.
Giving History
$19.7M
Grants
71
Median
$115K
States
18
$16.1M
Grants
60
Median
$95K
States
17
$13.1M
Grants
49
Median
$119K
States
13
Grant Size Distribution
$115K
Typical Grant (Median)
$5K
Smallest
$53K
25th Pctile
$342K
75th Pctile
$3.0M
Largest
Excludes grants ≤ $5K. Half fall between $53K and $342K.
Largest Recent Grants
$3.0M
2024
NATIONAL COLLEGIATE INVENTORS & INNOVATORS ALLIANCE
MA · TO SUPPORT INVENTIVE MINDSETS AND SKILLSETS AMONG HIGHER EDUCATION STUDENTS AND TO FOSTER INSTITUTIONAL CONDITIONS THAT NURTURE SUCH STUDENTS
$1.6M
2024
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
VA · TO ENABLE INNOVATIVE COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH ON SUSTAINABILITY BY FOSTERING EFFORTS TO TRANSFORM ENGINEERING EDUCATION TO PREPARE GRADUATING ENGINEERS TO ADDRESS ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY
$1.3M
2024
ALLIANCE FOR TRIBAL CLEAN ENERGY INC
DC · TO SUPPORT PRE-DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES NECESSARY TO SUPPORT TRIBES SEEKING TO DEVELOP RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECTS ON THEIR LANDS
$1.1M
2024
MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
MA · TO (1) SUPPORT THE LEMELSON-MITS INVENTION EDUCATION WORK IN DEVELOPING THE NEXT GENERATION OF INVENTORS, WITH A FOCUS ON DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION, AND (2) ADVANCE THE FIELD OF INVENTION EDUCATION
$1.0M
2024
ROCKY MOUNTAIN INSTITUTE
CO · TO SOURCE, SELECT, SUPPORT, AND SCALE PROMISING STARTUPS THROUGH RMIS THIRD DERIVATIVE AND CLIMATE-ALIGNED INDUSTRIES PROGRAMS FOCUSED ON DECARBONIZING THREE HEAVY INDUSTRIES: CEMENT AND CONCRETE, PETROCHEMICALS, AND STEEL
Geographic Focus
Top states by total grant dollars. Based on IRS filing data.
Financial Overview
Grants paid shown as percentage of total assets
Data sourced from IRS 990 and 990-PF filings and publicly available foundation websites. Grant data, financial figures, and organizational details reflect historical filings and may not represent current operations or funding priorities. Verify directly with the foundation before applying. See an issue? Let us know.