The Dorothy Lemelson Foundation concentrates its giving on practical STEM education and local higher-education capacity building, while also supporting discrete health, cultural heritage, and economic‑opportunity interventions. Grants are a mix of local investments in the University of Nevada, Reno and larger national or international partners that deliver direct services (medical/surgical care) or public goods (museum archives). The foundation favors strategic, outcome‑focused projects such as teacher STEM training cohorts, behavioral health staffing, and pilot policy programs like baby bonds.
A defining thread in Dorothy Lemelson Foundation grantmaking is long-term support for STEM learning in Nevada, paired with direct-service funding that reaches children, families, and students through schools, museums, and health programs. In Reno, the foundation has repeatedly backed the Dorothy Lemelson STEM Academy through Washoe County School District, including support for a STEM coordinator, school supplies, uniforms, and program activities. It also funds higher-education capacity at the University of Nevada, Reno, where grants have supported the behavioral health collaborative, tuition and engineering-related costs, and the STEM teacher cohort. Beyond Nevada, the foundation has made large commitments to programs serving specific public needs: corrective surgery for cleft lip and palate through Smile Train, archival and education work at the Smithsonian, and child-focused economic mobility through a baby bonds pilot. The pattern is practical and project-specific, with some grants aimed at staffing or operating support and others tied to named initiatives that can be tracked over multiple years. Its recent awards also show interest in homelessness services, crisis stabilization, and museum education, indicating a portfolio that blends local capacity building with targeted service delivery.
STEM education is one of the clearest areas of support. The foundation gave $186,616 in 2025 to Washoe County School District for the 2024-2025 STEM coordinator at the Dorothy Lemelson STEM Academy, plus school supplies for students. In higher education, it awarded $200,000 in 2024 to the University of Nevada Reno Foundation, including support for the STEM teacher cohort. Behavioral health is another recurring theme: the same university foundation received $200,000 in 2023, with $25,000 for the head clinical supervisor for the Behavioral Health Collaborative and $175,000 for tuition and engineering course differentials. The foundation also supports direct services for children and families, including $50,000 in 2025 to The Children's Cabinet for crisis stabilization visits and individual and family therapy.
Typical grant size sits at $15,000 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $50,000 at the 75th percentile. The portfolio includes both one-time awards and repeated support to the same organizations across multiple years, such as Washoe County School District, The Children's Cabinet, Pear, and Teaching for Change. Dorothy Lemelson Foundation is a regular funder rather than a donor-advised fund, and it funds individuals. The recent record also shows a mix of general operating support, staff-position funding, tuition support, and project-specific grants.
$2.5M
$41.1M
$4.2M
$3.4M
Most grants fall between $15K and $50K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$15K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$50K
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Relatively concentrated giving with a small number of mid-to-large grants; mixes repeat local grantee investments (UNR) with a few larger national/international partners. Grants appear programmatic and targeted rather than broad annual support—funding multi-stakeholder pilots, capacity positions, cohort-based education, and one-off capital/archival projects.
Notable grantees: University of Nevada, Reno Foundation, Smile Train, The National Museum of American History (Smithsonian Institution), Georgia Resilience and Opportunity Fund, New Meadows
Giving is centered in the United States, with all listed recent grants going to U.S. recipients. Nevada appears repeatedly, especially Reno, through awards to Washoe County School District, the University of Nevada Reno Foundation, University of Nevada Reno, The Children's Cabinet, Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum, and KNBP Channel 5. Portland, Oregon is another frequent recipient city, with grants to New Meadows, Planned Parenthood Cascade Willamette, Holla School, Bridge Meadows, and Pear. Washington, DC and Atlanta also appear in the recent grant list.
The recent record shows a strong emphasis on STEM education, higher-education capacity, behavioral health, and direct services for children and families. Examples include STEM coordinator support at Washoe County School District, the STEM teacher cohort at the University of Nevada Reno Foundation, and crisis stabilization and therapy funding for The Children's Cabinet.
Yes. Several recipients appear in more than one year, including Washoe County School District in 2023, 2024, and 2025; The Children's Cabinet in 2023, 2024, and 2025; Pear in 2024 and 2025; Teaching for Change in 2024 and 2025; and Smile Train in 2023 and 2024.
The grant-size distribution centers on $15,000 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $50,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent list also includes larger awards, such as $1,000,000 to Smile Train and $600,000 to the Smithsonian Institution.
Recent grants are concentrated in the U.S., and Nevada is especially visible in the list. Reno recipients include Washoe County School District, the University of Nevada Reno Foundation, The Children's Cabinet, Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum, KNBP Channel 5, and University of Nevada Reno.
The foundation gave $1,000,000 in 2024 to Smile Train for general operating support for a program providing corrective surgery for cleft lips and palates. It also supported behavioral health staffing and therapy services in grants to the University of Nevada Reno Foundation and The Children's Cabinet.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE NATIONAL MUSUEM OF AMERICAN HISTORY SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION | WASHINGTON, DC | $600,000 | 2025 | PROVIDED ARCHIVAL MATERIALS TO BE USED FOR STANDARD MUSEUM PURPOSES FOR EDUCATION AND NONPROIFT ACTIVITIES |
| GEORGIA RESLIENCE AND OPPORTUNITY FUND | ATLANTA, GA | $500,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR THE BABY BONDS PILOT PROGRAM |
| WASHOE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT | RENO, NV | $186,616 | 2025 | $146,906 SUPPORT FOR 2024-2025 STEM COORDINATOR AT THE DOROTHY LEMELSON STEM ACADEMY (ANY EXCESS IS TO BE USED IN FURTHERANCE OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING)$30,000 SUPPORT FOR 2024-2025 SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR STUDENTS OF THE DOROTHY LEMELSON STEM ACADEMY$8,110 SUPPORT FOR 5TH GRADE GRIZZLY CREEK RANCH FIELD TRIP$1,600 SUPPORT FOR 2024 GRADUATION BOOKS FOR STUDENTS |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD CASCADE WILLAMETTE | PORTLAND, OR | $125,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR THE EASTERN OREGON EDUCATION EXPANSION |
| HOLLA SCHOOL | PORTLAND, OR | $112,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR THE SCHOOL COUNSELOR POSITION |
| BRIDGE MEADOWS | PORTLAND, OR | $105,000 | 2025 | $30,000 OF SUPPORT FOR THE PROJECT MANAGER POSITION$75,000 OF SUPPORT FOR THE COMMUNITY SUPPORT SPECIALIST POSITION |
| WILLAMETTE UNIVERSITY | SALEM, OR | $100,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR THE DOROTHY LEMELSON FOUNDATION GRANT FUND AT THE UNIVERSITY'S PACIFIC NORTHWEST COLLEGE OF THE ARTS |
| UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA RENO | RENO, NV | $100,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR DEAN'S FUTURE SCHOLARS |
| TEACHING FOR CHANGE | WASHINGTON, DC | $75,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR THE ZINN EDUCATION PROJECT'S TEACH FOR BLACK LIVES |
| TERRY LEE WELLS NEVADA DISCOVERY MUSEUM | RENO, NV | $62,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR THE SPARK LAB STAFF POSITION |
| PEAR | PORTLAND, OR | $60,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMS FOCUSING ON ASSISTANCE FOR HOMELESS YOUTH |
| CHILDREN'S INSTITUTE | LOS ANGELES, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| THE CHILDREN'S CABINET | RENO, NV | $50,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR CRISIS STABILIZATION VISITS AND INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY THERAPY FOR APPROXIMATELY 24 FAMILIES OVER THE COURSE OF ONE YEAR |
| KNBP CHANNEL 5 | RENO, NV | $41,000 | 2025 | $29,000 OF SUPPORT FOR THE CURIOSITY WORKSHOP AT THE DOROTHY LEMELSON STEM ACADEMY$12,000 OF SUPPORT FOR TITLE 1 AND "BUBBLE" SCHOOLS IN WASHOE COUNTY |
| NNWLA SCHOLARSHIP FUND | RENO, NV | $40,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR SCHOLARSHIPS |
| SHARE OUR STRENGTH | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $40,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR THE NO KID HUNGRY CAMPAIGN |
| WOMEN'S FOUNDATION CALIFORNIA | OAKLAND, CA | $30,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR THE SUMMER LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE |
| PLUMAS CRISIS INTERVENTION RESOURCE CENTER | QUINCY, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR THE NORTH STAR NAVIGATION CENTER |
| PEACE4KIDS | COMPTON, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR HURRICANE DISASTER RESPONSE IN THE SOUTHWESTERN UNITED STATES |
| FOOD BANK OF NORTHERN NEVADA | SPARKS, NV | $25,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR THE STUDENT BACKPACK PROGRAM |
| HOLLA | PORTLAND, OR | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| WE BELONG PDX | PORTLAND, OR | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA RENO FOUNDATION | RENO, NV | $25,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR THE HEAD CLINICAL SUPERVISOR FOR THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH COLLABORATIVE FUND |
| ACHILLES INTERNATIONAL | NEW YORK, NY | $20,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMS SUPPORTING YOUTH AND CHILDREN |
| PS ARTS | LOS ANGELES, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CHOOSE LOVE MOVEMENT | SANDY HOOK, CT | $10,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR CHARACTER, SOCIAL, AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS |
| PORTLAND ART MUSEUM | PORTLAND, OR | $10,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR THE PUBLIC ART MUSEUM |
| SAFE TALK FOR TEENS | RENO, NV | $10,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR TEENS |
| OREGON MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY | PORTLAND, OR | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CATLIN GABEL SCHOOL | PORTLAND, OR | $10,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR THE 2024-2025 EAST CAMPUS/PNCA/WILLAMETTE INTERNSHIP POSITION |
| THE VIRGINIA GARCIA MEMORIAL FOUNDATION | ALOHA, OR | $5,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR THE STUDENTS HEALTH ADVISORY COUNCIL AT THE SCHOOL BASED HEALTH CENTERS |
| SIERRA NEVADA JOURNEYS | RENO, NV | $1,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR OUTDOOR, SCIENCE-BASED EDUCATION PROGRAMS |
| SMILE TRAIN | WASHINGTON, DC | $1,000,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT FOR PROGRAM PROVIDING CORRECTIVE SURGERY FOR CLEFT LIPS AND PALATES. |
| UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA RENO FOUNDATION | RENO, NV | $200,000 | 2024 | $25,000 IN SUPPORT OF THE HEAD CLINICAL SUPERVISOR FOR THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH COLLABORATIVE FUND$175,000 IN SUPPORT OF THE STEM TEACHER COHORT |
| WASHOE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT | RENO, NV | $156,146 | 2024 | $118,586 FOR 2023-2024 STEM COORDINATOR AT THE DOROTHY LEMELSON STEM ACADEMY (ANY EXCESS IS TO BE USED IN FURTHERANCE OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING)$5,000 FOR 2023-2024 SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR STUDENTS OF THE DOROTHY LEMELSON STEM ACADEMY$7,560 FOR 5TH GRADE GRIZZLY CREEK RANCH VISIT$25,000 FOR 2022-2023 GRADUATION BOOKS AND 2023-2024 STUDENT UNIFORMS |
| PEAR | PORTLAND, OR | $95,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMS FOCUSING ON ASSISTANCE FOR HOMELESS YOUTH. |
| TEACHING FOR CHANGE | WASHINGTON, DC | $75,000 | 2024 | ZINN EDUCATION PROJECT'S TEACH FOR BLACK LIVES |
| TERRY LEE WELLS NEVADA DISCOVERY MUSEUM | RENO, NV | $59,000 | 2024 | SPARK LAB STAFF POSITION |
| THE CHILDREN'S CABINET | RENO, NV | $50,000 | 2024 | CRISIS STABILIZATION VISITS AND INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY THERAPY FOR APPROXIMATELY 24 FAMILIES OVER THE COURSE OF ONE YEAR |
| SHARE OUR STRENGTH | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $40,000 | 2024 | NO KID HUNGRY CAMPAIGN |
| KNBP CHANNEL 5 | RENO, NV | $35,505 | 2024 | CURIOSITY CLASSROOM PROGRAM AT THE DOROTHY LEMELSON STEM INSTITUTE |
| CHILDREN'S INSTITUTE | LOS ANGELES, CA | $30,000 | 2024 | SUPPORTING CHILDREN & FAMILIES IN ACHIEVING EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING & EDUCATIONAL SUCCESS. |
| WOMEN'S FOUNDATION CALIFORNIA | OAKLAND, CA | $30,000 | 2024 | SUMMER LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE |
| KAIROS PDX | PORTLAND, OR | $30,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT FOR EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES. |
| HOLLA | PORTLAND, OR | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FOOD BANK OF NORTHERN NEVADA | SPARKS, NV | $25,000 | 2024 | STUDENT BACKPACK PROGRAM |
| PEACE4KIDS | COMPTON, CA | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT IN SUPPORT OF YOUTH IN FOSTER CARE. |
| ACHILLES INTERNATIONAL | NEW YORK, NY | $20,000 | 2024 | PROGRAMS SUPPORTING YOUTH AND CHILDREN |
| WE BELONG PDX | PORTLAND, OR | $15,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITIES OF BELONGING CAMPAIGN PROVIDING KIDS WITH ACCESS TO PROGRAMS YEAR-ROUND. |
THE NATIONAL MUSUEM OF AMERICAN HISTORY SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION
$600,000PROVIDED ARCHIVAL MATERIALS TO BE USED FOR STANDARD MUSEUM PURPOSES FOR EDUCATION AND NONPROIFT ACTIVITIES
GEORGIA RESLIENCE AND OPPORTUNITY FUND
$500,000SUPPORT FOR THE BABY BONDS PILOT PROGRAM
WASHOE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
$186,616$146,906 SUPPORT FOR 2024-2025 STEM COORDINATOR AT THE DOROTHY LEMELSON STEM ACADEMY (ANY EXCESS IS TO BE USED IN FURTHERANCE OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING)$30,000 SUPPORT FOR 2024-2025 SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR STUDENTS OF THE DOROTHY LEMELSON STEM ACADEMY$8,110 SUPPORT FOR 5TH GRADE GRIZZLY CREEK RANCH FIELD TRIP$1,600 SUPPORT FOR 2024 GRADUATION BOOKS FOR STUDENTS
SUPPORT FOR THE EASTERN OREGON EDUCATION EXPANSION
SUPPORT FOR THE SCHOOL COUNSELOR POSITION
$30,000 OF SUPPORT FOR THE PROJECT MANAGER POSITION$75,000 OF SUPPORT FOR THE COMMUNITY SUPPORT SPECIALIST POSITION
WILLAMETTE UNIVERSITY
$100,000SUPPORT FOR THE DOROTHY LEMELSON FOUNDATION GRANT FUND AT THE UNIVERSITY'S PACIFIC NORTHWEST COLLEGE OF THE ARTS
UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA RENO
$100,000SUPPORT FOR DEAN'S FUTURE SCHOLARS
SUPPORT FOR THE ZINN EDUCATION PROJECT'S TEACH FOR BLACK LIVES
TERRY LEE WELLS NEVADA DISCOVERY MUSEUM
$62,000SUPPORT FOR THE SPARK LAB STAFF POSITION
PEAR
$60,000SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMS FOCUSING ON ASSISTANCE FOR HOMELESS YOUTH
THE CHILDREN'S CABINET
$50,000SUPPORT FOR CRISIS STABILIZATION VISITS AND INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY THERAPY FOR APPROXIMATELY 24 FAMILIES OVER THE COURSE OF ONE YEAR
KNBP CHANNEL 5
$41,000$29,000 OF SUPPORT FOR THE CURIOSITY WORKSHOP AT THE DOROTHY LEMELSON STEM ACADEMY$12,000 OF SUPPORT FOR TITLE 1 AND "BUBBLE" SCHOOLS IN WASHOE COUNTY
NNWLA SCHOLARSHIP FUND
$40,000SUPPORT FOR SCHOLARSHIPS
PLUMAS CRISIS INTERVENTION RESOURCE CENTER
$25,000SUPPORT FOR THE NORTH STAR NAVIGATION CENTER
WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN
$25,000SUPPORT FOR HURRICANE DISASTER RESPONSE IN THE SOUTHWESTERN UNITED STATES
WE BELONG PDX
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
SUPPORT FOR THE HEAD CLINICAL SUPERVISOR FOR THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH COLLABORATIVE FUND
ACHILLES INTERNATIONAL
$20,000SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMS SUPPORTING YOUTH AND CHILDREN
CHOOSE LOVE MOVEMENT
$10,000SUPPORT FOR CHARACTER, SOCIAL, AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
SAFE TALK FOR TEENS
$10,000SUPPORT FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR TEENS
OREGON MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
SUPPORT FOR THE 2024-2025 EAST CAMPUS/PNCA/WILLAMETTE INTERNSHIP POSITION
SUPPORT FOR THE STUDENTS HEALTH ADVISORY COUNCIL AT THE SCHOOL BASED HEALTH CENTERS
SIERRA NEVADA JOURNEYS
$1,000SUPPORT FOR OUTDOOR, SCIENCE-BASED EDUCATION PROGRAMS
GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT FOR PROGRAM PROVIDING CORRECTIVE SURGERY FOR CLEFT LIPS AND PALATES.
$25,000 IN SUPPORT OF THE HEAD CLINICAL SUPERVISOR FOR THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH COLLABORATIVE FUND$175,000 IN SUPPORT OF THE STEM TEACHER COHORT
WASHOE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
$156,146$118,586 FOR 2023-2024 STEM COORDINATOR AT THE DOROTHY LEMELSON STEM ACADEMY (ANY EXCESS IS TO BE USED IN FURTHERANCE OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING)$5,000 FOR 2023-2024 SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR STUDENTS OF THE DOROTHY LEMELSON STEM ACADEMY$7,560 FOR 5TH GRADE GRIZZLY CREEK RANCH VISIT$25,000 FOR 2022-2023 GRADUATION BOOKS AND 2023-2024 STUDENT UNIFORMS
GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMS FOCUSING ON ASSISTANCE FOR HOMELESS YOUTH.
CRISIS STABILIZATION VISITS AND INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY THERAPY FOR APPROXIMATELY 24 FAMILIES OVER THE COURSE OF ONE YEAR
KNBP CHANNEL 5
$35,505CURIOSITY CLASSROOM PROGRAM AT THE DOROTHY LEMELSON STEM INSTITUTE
SUPPORTING CHILDREN & FAMILIES IN ACHIEVING EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING & EDUCATIONAL SUCCESS.
GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT FOR EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES.
WE BELONG PDX
$15,000SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITIES OF BELONGING CAMPAIGN PROVIDING KIDS WITH ACCESS TO PROGRAMS YEAR-ROUND.