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    5. Schlesinger Family Foundation
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    Schlesinger Family Foundation

    ActiveMutual & Membership BenefitFunds Individuals
    PORTLAND, ORWebsite5032234128

    About Schlesinger Family Foundation

    The Schlesinger Family Foundation concentrates its philanthropy on higher education scholarship endowments, directing relatively large, targeted gifts to college and university programs that provide student financial aid. Grants are few but sizable and include repeat support for the same institution, indicating a preference for sustained scholarship funding rather than broad, small-scale giving. Recipients so far are West Coast higher-education institutions, split between a small liberal arts college and a major research university engineering school.

    Focus Areas

    Endowed undergraduate scholarships at small liberal arts colleges (e.g., Pitzer College)Endowed scholarships for engineering students at research universities (e.g., USC Viterbi)Student financial aid/endowment-building for West Coast higher education institutions

    Who They Fund

    college and prospective college students (scholarship recipients)minority Montessori studentspeople experiencing homelessness / local community residentslearners and participants in conservation/environmental education

    About Schlesinger Family Foundation

    A defining feature of the Schlesinger Family Foundation is its repeated support for endowed scholarships, including multiple grants to Pitzer College and USC Viterbi School of Engineering. That pattern points to a funder that favors long-term student aid rather than one-off project funding. Across the recent grants listed here, the foundation also backs Oregon-based institutions and programs tied to conservation, public programming, and community services, with most grants staying within its regional footprint. The foundation’s scholarship work is especially visible at colleges and universities in Oregon, California, and Washington. Recent awards include gifts for undergraduate scholarship funds, engineering students, and global study opportunities, alongside support for partner institutions that administer named scholarships. The grant history also shows a mix of operating support and endowed funds, suggesting the foundation uses both current-use grants and asset-building gifts. Its giving extends beyond higher education. The record includes support for conservation education, marine wildlife rehabilitation and education, minority Montessori scholarships, homeless-services redevelopment, and public humanities programming. Grantees are concentrated in Oregon, with Portland appearing often among recipients, but the foundation also funds institutions in Los Angeles and Claremont.

    What Schlesinger Family Foundation Funds

    Higher education is the foundation’s clearest focus. It gave $40,000 to USC Viterbi School of Engineering for an endowed scholarship, and it made three $30,000 grants to Pitzer College for the same purpose across 2023, 2024, and 2025. In Oregon, the foundation supports scholarship and student-opportunity programs at several institutions. It awarded $25,000 to Ohsu Foundation for a global program scholarship, and $24,000 to Portland Community College Foundation for an endowed scholarship fund. Outside college scholarships, it funds conservation and public-serving programs. The Oregon Zoo Foundation received $25,000 for conservation education programming, while Oregon Humanities received $10,000 for a public program grant. The foundation also supported Montessori Northwest with $10,000 for a scholarship program for minority Montessori NW students.

    How Schlesinger Family Foundation Gives

    Recent grants cluster around the middle of the foundation’s stated distribution: the median gift is $12,500, with the 25th percentile at $5,000 and the 75th percentile at $20,000. Many awards sit at $10,000 to $25,000, while a few scholarship gifts are larger. The grant record shows repeat giving to the same organizations across multiple years, including Pitzer College, Oregon Zoo Foundation, Ohsu Foundation, North Coast Land Conservancy Inc, Freshwater Trust, Helping Hands Re-entry Outreach Centers, Oregon Parks Forever, and Montessori Northwest. The foundation accepts unsolicited requests through mailed letters for its general grantmaking, and it also maintains endowed scholarship programs that are administered through partner institutions.

    Open Grant Opportunities

    Current and upcoming funding from Schlesinger Family Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.

    Open nowRolling / open intake

    Grant Applications

    medical research and carehigher educationconservation of the environment+1 more

    Who can apply: Organizations or requestors seeking support from the foundation may submit a letter detailing the request and how funds will be used. Applications must be received by the stated deadline to be considered at the next board meeting.

    Deadline: Application deadlines: March 30, June 29, September 29, and November 30; submissions must be received by 5:00 PM on the deadline date to be considered at the next board meeting.

    Financial Snapshot

    Annual Giving

    $210K

    Total Assets

    $4.7M

    Total Revenue

    $354K

    Total Expenses

    $243K

    Typical Grant Size

    Most grants fall between $5K and $20K, with a median of $13K.

    25th Percentile

    $5K

    Median

    $13K

    75th Percentile

    $20K

    Geographic Reach

    Local3 states funded

    About 82% of grants go to recipients in OR.

    Funding intensity
    Low
    High
    Headquarters

    Deep Analysis

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    EIN: 93-0818169
    3 filings on record
    See If You're a Fit — FreeFree account · instant fit score · similar funders
    marine wildlife (as programmatic beneficiaries) and related educators
    communities affected by international crisis (Ukraine)

    Giving Approach

    Concentrated, high-dollar gifts with repeat funding to select institutions; emphasis on endowed scholarship support rather than programmatic operating grants.

    Funding Style

    endowment creation / endowed scholarshipsgeneral operating supportprogram-specific grantsproject sponsorship / capital redevelopmentemergency / humanitarian relief funding

    Notable grantees: Pitzer College (multiple endowed scholarship grants), USC Viterbi School of Engineering (endowed scholarship)

    Topics

    scholarships and college success / mentorship programsconservation and environmental educationmarine wildlife rehabilitation and educationearly childhood / Montessori minority scholarship supporthomeless services and community redevelopmentpublic programming and cultural/educational eventsinternational humanitarian relief (Ukraine)

    Where Schlesinger Family Foundation Makes Grants

    The foundation gives mostly in Oregon: 82% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. Portland appears frequently among recipients, along with Seaside, West Linn, McMinnville, Corvallis, and Newport. Outside Oregon, recent grants reached Los Angeles and Claremont in California. The country distribution is entirely U.S.-based in the data provided.

    Frequently Asked Questions About Schlesinger Family Foundation

    What are the foundation’s main focus areas?

    Its general grantmaking supports medical research and care, higher education, conservation of the environment, and the general welfare of communities in Oregon, Southwest Washington, and California. Separate endowed scholarship programs show a strong emphasis on student financial aid at colleges and universities.

    How large are the foundation’s typical grants?

    The stated grant-size distribution is $5,000 at the 25th percentile, $12,500 at the median, and $20,000 at the 75th percentile. Recent awards include a $40,000 scholarship grant and several gifts in the $10,000 to $25,000 range.

    Does the foundation accept unsolicited applications?

    Yes. Its general grantmaking accepts unsolicited requests, and applicants submit a letter by postal mail. The foundation also lists project and operating grants under its general grant program.

    Does it support the same organizations more than once?

    Yes. The recent record shows repeat support across multiple years for several organizations, including Pitzer College, Oregon Zoo Foundation, Ohsu Foundation, North Coast Land Conservancy Inc, Freshwater Trust, Helping Hands Re-entry Outreach Centers, Oregon Parks Forever, and Montessori Northwest.

    What kinds of nonprofit work receive grants beyond scholarships?

    Recent grants include conservation education, marine wildlife rehab and education, general operating support for community organizations, public programming, endowment funding, and a scholarship program for minority Montessori NW students.

    Latest 990 Filing

    2025

    Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.

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    Deadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.

    Recent Grants

    Most recent grants reported to the IRS.

    RecipientLocationAmountYearPurpose
    USC VITERBI SCHOOL OF ENGINEERINGLOS ANGELES, CA$40,0002025ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
    PITZER COLLEGECLAREMONT, CA$30,0002025ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
    OHSU FOUNDATIONPORTLAND, OR$25,0002025GLOBAL PROGRAM SCHOLARSHIP
    OREGON ZOO FOUNDATIONPORTLAND, OR$25,0002025CONSERVATION EDUCATION PROGRAM
    FRESHWATER TRUSTPORTLAND, OR$12,5002025GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
    NORTH COAST LAND CONSERVANCY INCSEASIDE, OR$12,5002025GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
    OREGON HUMANITIESPORTLAND, OR$10,0002025PUBLIC PROGRAM GRANT
    OREGON PARKS FOREVERPORTLAND, OR$10,0002025ENDOWMENT FUND
    MONTESSORI NORTHWESTPORTLAND, OR$10,0002025SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR MINORITY MONTESSORI NW STUDENTS
    HELPING HANDS RE-ENTRY OUTREACH CENTERSSEASIDE, OR$10,0002025BYBEE LAKES HOPE CENTER
    JAMES BEARD PUBLIC MARKETPORTLAND, OR$9,0002025GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
    NW ASSOCIATION FOR BLIND ATHLETESVANCOUVER, WA$5,0002025PROGRAM SERVICES
    COLLEGE POSSIBLE OREGONPORTLAND, OR$2,5002025COLLEGE SUCCESS PROGRAM FOR MENTORSHIPS
    READING RESULTSPORTLAND, OR$2,5002025EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
    CHARITABLE PARTNERSHIP FUNDPORTLAND, OR$2,5002025CITY OF POSSIBILITY GRANT
    COMMUNITY SERVICE NETWORKPORTLAND, OR$2,5002025GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
    TURTLE SHELTER PROJECTKAYSVILLE, UT$1,0002025HOMELESS SERVICES
    PITZER COLLEGECLAREMONT, CA$30,0002024ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
    LINFIELD UNIVERSITYMCMINNVILLE, OR$25,0002024WINE STUDIES PROGRAM ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
    OREGON ZOO FOUNDATIONPORTLAND, OR$25,0002024CONSERVATION EDUCATION PROGRAM
    OHSU FOUNDATIONPORTLAND, OR$25,0002024GLOBAL PROGRAM SCHOLARSHIP
    PORTLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGEPORTLAND, OR$20,0002024ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
    USC VITERBI SCHOOL OF ENGINEERINGLOS ANGELES, CA$20,0002024ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
    FRESHWATER TRUSTPORTLAND, OR$12,5002024GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
    NORTH COAST LAND CONSERVANCY INCSEASIDE, OR$12,5002024GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
    OREGON PARKS FOREVERPORTLAND, OR$10,0002024ENDOWMENT FUND
    MONTESSORI NORTHWESTPORTLAND, OR$10,0002024SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR MINORITY MONTESSORI NW STUDENTS
    HELPING HANDS RE-ENTRY OUTREACH CENTERSSEASIDE, OR$10,0002024BYBEE LAKES HOPE CENTER
    READING RESULTSPORTLAND, OR$5,0002024EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
    PORTLAND PARKS FOUNDATIONPORTLAND, OR$2,5002024O'BRYANT SQUARE REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT SPONSORSHIP
    WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN INCORPORATEDWASHINGTON, DC$2,5002024UKRAINE RELIEF EFFORT
    COLLEGE POSSIBLE OREGONPORTLAND, OR$2,5002024COLLEGE SUCCESS PROGRAM FOR MENTORSHIPS
    WILLAMETTE FALLS TRUSTOREGON CITY, OR$2,5002024O'BRYANT SQUARE REDESIGN PROJECT
    PITZER COLLEGECLAREMONT, CA$30,0002023ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
    PORTLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATIONPORTLAND, OR$24,0002023ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP FUND
    USC VITERBI SCHOOL OF ENGINEERINGLOS ANGELES, CA$20,0002023ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
    OSU FOUNDATIONCORVALLIS, OR$15,0002023SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FUND
    OREGON ZOO FOUNDATIONPORTLAND, OR$14,0002023GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
    NORTH COAST LAND CONSERVANCYSEASIDE, OR$12,5002023GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
    YOUTH MUSIC PROJECTWEST LINN, OR$10,0002023GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
    OREGON COAST AQUARIUMNEWPORT, OR$10,0002023MARINE WILDLIFE REHAB & EDUCATION CENTER
    HIGH DESERT MUSEUMBEND, OR$5,0002023LITTLE WONDERS PROGRAM
    DPI GROUPPORTLAND, OR$1,0002023GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
    FOCUS ON BOOK ARTSFOREST GROVE, OR$5002023FOCUS ON THE BOOKS CONFERENCE

    USC VITERBI SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING

    $40,000
    LOS ANGELES, CA2025

    ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP

    PITZER COLLEGE

    $30,000
    CLAREMONT, CA2025

    ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP

    OHSU FOUNDATION

    $25,000
    PORTLAND, OR2025

    GLOBAL PROGRAM SCHOLARSHIP

    OREGON ZOO FOUNDATION

    $25,000
    PORTLAND, OR2025

    CONSERVATION EDUCATION PROGRAM

    FRESHWATER TRUST

    $12,500
    PORTLAND, OR2025

    GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT

    NORTH COAST LAND CONSERVANCY INC

    $12,500
    SEASIDE, OR2025

    GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT

    OREGON HUMANITIES

    $10,000
    PORTLAND, OR2025

    PUBLIC PROGRAM GRANT

    OREGON PARKS FOREVER

    $10,000
    PORTLAND, OR2025

    ENDOWMENT FUND

    MONTESSORI NORTHWEST

    $10,000
    PORTLAND, OR2025

    SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR MINORITY MONTESSORI NW STUDENTS

    HELPING HANDS RE-ENTRY OUTREACH CENTERS

    $10,000
    SEASIDE, OR2025

    BYBEE LAKES HOPE CENTER

    JAMES BEARD PUBLIC MARKET

    $9,000
    PORTLAND, OR2025

    GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT

    NW ASSOCIATION FOR BLIND ATHLETES

    $5,000
    VANCOUVER, WA2025

    PROGRAM SERVICES

    COLLEGE POSSIBLE OREGON

    $2,500
    PORTLAND, OR2025

    COLLEGE SUCCESS PROGRAM FOR MENTORSHIPS

    READING RESULTS

    $2,500
    PORTLAND, OR2025

    EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

    CHARITABLE PARTNERSHIP FUND

    $2,500
    PORTLAND, OR2025

    CITY OF POSSIBILITY GRANT

    COMMUNITY SERVICE NETWORK

    $2,500
    PORTLAND, OR2025

    GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT

    TURTLE SHELTER PROJECT

    $1,000
    KAYSVILLE, UT2025

    HOMELESS SERVICES

    PITZER COLLEGE

    $30,000
    CLAREMONT, CA2024

    ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP

    LINFIELD UNIVERSITY

    $25,000
    MCMINNVILLE, OR2024

    WINE STUDIES PROGRAM ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP

    OREGON ZOO FOUNDATION

    $25,000
    PORTLAND, OR2024

    CONSERVATION EDUCATION PROGRAM

    OHSU FOUNDATION

    $25,000
    PORTLAND, OR2024

    GLOBAL PROGRAM SCHOLARSHIP

    PORTLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE

    $20,000
    PORTLAND, OR2024

    ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP

    USC VITERBI SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING

    $20,000
    LOS ANGELES, CA2024

    ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP

    FRESHWATER TRUST

    $12,500
    PORTLAND, OR2024

    GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT

    NORTH COAST LAND CONSERVANCY INC

    $12,500
    SEASIDE, OR2024

    GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT

    OREGON PARKS FOREVER

    $10,000
    PORTLAND, OR2024

    ENDOWMENT FUND

    MONTESSORI NORTHWEST

    $10,000
    PORTLAND, OR2024

    SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR MINORITY MONTESSORI NW STUDENTS

    HELPING HANDS RE-ENTRY OUTREACH CENTERS

    $10,000
    SEASIDE, OR2024

    BYBEE LAKES HOPE CENTER

    READING RESULTS

    $5,000
    PORTLAND, OR2024

    EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

    PORTLAND PARKS FOUNDATION

    $2,500
    PORTLAND, OR2024

    O'BRYANT SQUARE REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT SPONSORSHIP

    WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN INCORPORATED

    $2,500
    WASHINGTON, DC2024

    UKRAINE RELIEF EFFORT

    COLLEGE POSSIBLE OREGON

    $2,500
    PORTLAND, OR2024

    COLLEGE SUCCESS PROGRAM FOR MENTORSHIPS

    WILLAMETTE FALLS TRUST

    $2,500
    OREGON CITY, OR2024

    O'BRYANT SQUARE REDESIGN PROJECT

    PITZER COLLEGE

    $30,000
    CLAREMONT, CA2023

    ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP

    PORTLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION

    $24,000
    PORTLAND, OR2023

    ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP FUND

    USC VITERBI SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING

    $20,000
    LOS ANGELES, CA2023

    ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP

    OSU FOUNDATION

    $15,000
    CORVALLIS, OR2023

    SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FUND

    OREGON ZOO FOUNDATION

    $14,000
    PORTLAND, OR2023

    GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT

    NORTH COAST LAND CONSERVANCY

    $12,500
    SEASIDE, OR2023

    GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT

    YOUTH MUSIC PROJECT

    $10,000
    WEST LINN, OR2023

    GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT

    OREGON COAST AQUARIUM

    $10,000
    NEWPORT, OR2023

    MARINE WILDLIFE REHAB & EDUCATION CENTER

    HIGH DESERT MUSEUM

    $5,000
    BEND, OR2023

    LITTLE WONDERS PROGRAM

    DPI GROUP

    $1,000
    PORTLAND, OR2023

    GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT

    FOCUS ON BOOK ARTS

    $500
    FOREST GROVE, OR2023

    FOCUS ON THE BOOKS CONFERENCE