The Lee and Juliet Folger Fund makes a small number of large, targeted gifts to prominent Washington, D.C.-area cultural, educational, and religious institutions. Their support emphasizes long-term institutional capacity—endowments, capital campaigns, and conservation funds—rather than program-level operating grants. Grants reveal a particular interest in art conservation, higher-education environmental research, and the upkeep/enhancement of major civic religious spaces.
The Lee and Juliet Folger Fund’s recent giving shows a clear preference for institutional support over programmatic grants. One of the largest gifts on file is $700,000 to the National Gallery of Art for its 75th Mellon Matching Fund for the conservation program, alongside a $500,000 commitment to Georgetown University to create the Kalorama Endowed Fellowship Fund for student research in environmental studies and sciences. Those grants point to a funder that backs long-horizon assets: conservation endowments, endowed fellowships, and capital support for places with lasting civic or scholarly roles. That pattern also appears in religious and cultural preservation. The fund has made repeated gifts to Washington National Cathedral, including support for the nave endowment, general operating expenses, and annual-fund giving through the Dean’s Council and Dean’s Program. It has also supported preservation and restoration work at St. Johns Church- Lafayette Sq and Bok Tower Gardens Foundation. The result is a profile centered on a small number of targeted awards to major institutions, often tied to endowment building, restoration, or conservation rather than short-term project spending.
Museum conservation is a major strand of the fund’s work. In 2024, it gave $700,000 to the National Gallery of Art for the 75th Mellon Matching Fund for the conservation program, followed by $100,000 in 2023 for the same purpose and $25,000 in 2024 for the same conservation program. Higher education appears through endowed research support. In 2025, Georgetown University received $500,000 to create the Kalorama Endowed Fellowship Fund for student research in environmental studies and sciences. The fund also backs preservation of religious and civic landmarks. Washington National Cathedral received $200,000 for the capital campaign’s endowment for the nave, while St Johns Church- Lafayette Sq received $100,000 for repair and restoration of the steeple and spire. Bok Tower Gardens Foundation also received support for preservation and restoration of the tower, koi pond and the Olmstead Gardens.
Typical grants cluster at a modest-to-mid scale for this foundation: the 25th percentile is $5,000, the median is $10,000, and the 75th percentile is $25,000. Even with a few larger commitments, the distribution suggests a pattern of many smaller awards and occasional major gifts. The recent grants list shows repeat support across multiple years for several recipients, including the National Gallery of Art, Washington National Cathedral, American Red Cross National Capital Chapter, Medstar National Rehabilitation Hospital, and Wild Entrust International. The foundation funds individuals, and its recent grantmaking includes a mix of operating support, capital and endowment support, and project-specific awards. No application process is shown in the provided data.
$453K
$7.4M
$425K
$670K
Most grants fall between $5K and $25K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$25K
About 15% of grants go to recipients in DC.
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Concentrated giving: very few but large grants focused on endowments and capital/conservation needs; repeats some recipients (Washington National Cathedral) and prioritizes established, high-profile institutions.
Notable grantees: National Gallery of Art, Georgetown University, Washington National Cathedral
Giving is concentrated in the Washington, D.C. area, with DC listed as the top state by grant count and 15% of grants going to recipients in Virginia. Washington, DC recipients include Georgetown University, Washington National Cathedral, St Johns Church- Lafayette Sq, Medstar Washington Hospital Center, and the Center for Strategic & Intl Studies. Outside the capital region, the fund also gave to organizations in Landover, MD; Palm Beach and Lake Wales, FL; West Palm Beach, FL; Chattanooga, TN; Santa Barbara, CA; Cambridge, MA; Sammamish and Bainbridge Island, WA; and Oakland, CA. All recorded grants are in the United States.
The fund repeatedly backs museums, universities, churches, and other civic or cultural institutions. Recent grants include conservation support for the National Gallery of Art, an endowed fellowship at Georgetown University, and restoration or endowment support for Washington National Cathedral and St Johns Church- Lafayette Sq.
Its recent grant distribution is centered at relatively small awards: the 25th percentile is $5,000, the median is $10,000, and the 75th percentile is $25,000. The list also includes occasional larger commitments such as $500,000 and $700,000.
Yes. Several organizations appear across multiple years, including the National Gallery of Art, Washington National Cathedral, American Red Cross National Capital Chapter, Medstar National Rehabilitation Hospital, and Wild Entrust International. That pattern suggests recurring support rather than one-time gifts only.
Conservation, environmental studies, religious landmark preservation, medical training, and policy or research support all appear. Examples include conservation funding for the National Gallery of Art, an environmental studies fellowship at Georgetown, and support for medical fellows at Medstar Washington Hospital Center and Medstar National Rehabilitation Hospital.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SOCIETY OF THE FOUR ARTS | PALM BEACH, FL | $150,000 | 2026 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN SUPPORT |
| WADSWORTH SULGRAVE HISTORIC PRESERVATION FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2026 | REPAIR/ RESTORATION HOUSE & GROUNDS |
| ALIBI PRESERVATION FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| GREEN HORIZON LAND TRUST | LAKE WALES, FL | $35,000 | 2026 | MARKETING & ADDITIONAL SIGNAGE FOR GHLT PROPERTIES |
| NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART | LANDOVER, MD | $25,000 | 2026 | DIRECTOR'S CIRCLE |
| WILD ENTRUST INTERNATIONAL | BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, WA | $25,000 | 2026 | C4C SUPPORT BOTSWANA |
| FEDERAL CITY COUNCIL | WASHINGTON, DC | $16,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES |
| ST ALBANS SCHOOL | WASHINGTON, DC | $15,000 | 2026 | ANNUAL GIVING |
| PEABODY ESSEX MUSEUM | SALEM, MA | $15,000 | 2026 | MARINE HALL REINSTALLATION PROJECT |
| WINTER HAVEN HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | WINTER HAVEN, FL | $15,000 | 2026 | PSYCHIATRY |
| SIBLEY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | PROGRAMS TO IMPROVE PATIENT CARE |
| HISTORIC COLONY HOUSE | LAKE WALES, FL | $10,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT APPROVED BUILDING UPGRADES HISTORIC PROPERTY |
| FALLS CHURCH ARTS | FALLS CHURCH, VA | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSE |
| UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA | CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | $5,000 | 2026 | CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL |
| MCLEAN PROJECT FOR THE ARTS | MCLEAN, VA | $5,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION PROGRAM |
| AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY COUNCIL'S CENTRAL ASIA-CAUCASUS INST | WASHINGTON, DC | $5,000 | 2026 | CHAIRMAN'S DISCRETIONARY FUND SUPPORT |
| CHARITIES AID FOUNDATION AMERICA | ALEXANDRIA, VA | $5,000 | 2026 | VOLTAIRE STUDIO |
| BATH & TENNIS HISTORIC BUILDING PRESERVATION FOUNDATION INC | PALM BEACH, FL | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES |
| JOSEPH ROBERT SHAW FOUNDATION JOEY'S FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY | WASHINGTON, DC | $500,000 | 2025 | TO CREATE THE KALORAMA ENDOWED FELLOWSHIP FUND FOR STUDENT RESEARCH IN ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES/SCIENCES |
| SOCIETY OF THE FOUR ARTS | PALM BEACH, FL | $100,000 | 2025 | UPOCMING CAPITAL CAMPAIGN SUPPORT |
| ST JOHNS CHURCH- LAFAYETTE SQ | WASHINGTON, DC | $100,000 | 2025 | REPAIR AND RESTORATION OF THE STEEPLE AND SPIRE |
| MEDSTAR WASHINGTON HOSPITAL CENTER | WASHINGTON, DC | $75,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF THE GUSOM/MEDSTAR SUMMER SCHOLARS PROGRAM FOR MEDICAL STUDENTS |
| WASHINGTON NATIONAL CATHEDRAL | WASHINGTON, DC | $30,000 | 2025 | DEAN'S COUNCIL PROGRAM ANNUAL FUND FOR COMIGN YEAR 2024-2025 |
| WILD ENTRUST INTERNATIONAL | BAMBRIDGE ISLAND, WA | $25,000 | 2025 | C4C SUPPORT IN BOTSWANA |
| NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART | LANDOVER, MD | $25,000 | 2025 | DIRECTOR'S CIRCLE SUPPORT |
| GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF THE BLOOD PRESSURE DEVISE PROGRAM |
| BOK TOWER GARDENS FOUNDATION | LAKE WALES, FL | $25,000 | 2025 | PRESERVATION AND RESTORATION OF THE TOWER, KOI POND AND THE OLMSTEAD GARDENS |
| CENTER FOR STRATEGIC & INTL STUDIES | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES FOR WORK NATIONAL SECURITY AND U.S./CHINA RELATIONS |
| ST JOHNS CHURCH- LAFAYETTE SQ | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL GIVING CAMPAIGN SUPPORT |
| PEABODY ESSEX MUSEUM | SALEM, MA | $15,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF EXHIBIT ON LOAN FROM THE PHOEBUS FDN WUNDERKAMMER AND KUNSTKAMMER ASPECTS OF THE EXHIBIT |
| ESPLANADE ASSOCIATION | BOSTON, MA | $15,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF THE CHARLESBANK PROJECT |
| ST ALBANS SCHOOL | WASHINGTON, DC | $15,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL GIVING PROGRAM FOR ACADEMIC YEAR 2023 - 2024 |
| FEDERAL CITY COUNCIL | WASHINGTON, DC | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES |
| EDITH WHARTON RESTORATION FOUNDATION | LENOX, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES |
| TRUSTEES OF RESERVATIONS | BOSTON, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT PUBLIC GARDENS BROCHURE AND LIVING COLLECTIONS ON-LINE CATALOG |
| ST ALBANS SCHOOL | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2025 | IN MEMORY OF JAMES "JIM" HANSON LEMON, JR. |
| AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY COUNCIL'S CENTRAL ASIA-CAUCASUS INST | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2025 | CENTRAL ASIA-CAUCASUS INSTITUTE SUPPROT OF THE CHAIRMAN'S DISCRETIONARY FUND |
| HISTORIC COLONY HOUSE INC | LAKE WALES, FL | $10,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF REGISTERED HISTORIC PROPERTY IN LAKE WALES, FL FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDOWS |
| JOHN R KENNEDY CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF THE OPERA AND AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE'S BALLET PROGRAM |
| COMMON GOOD | WASHINGTON, DC | $7,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES |
| FALLS CHURCH ARTS | FALLS CHURCH, VA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSE |
| BATH & TENNIS HISTORIC BUILDING PRESERVATION FOUNDATION INC | PALM BEACH, FL | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES |
| MCLEAN PROJECT FOR THE ARTS | MCLEAN, VA | $5,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF THE EDUCATION PROGRAM |
| METROPOLITAN CLUB PRESERVATION FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $5,000 | 2025 | PRESERVATION PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| DULIN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH | WASHINGTON, DC | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSE |
| FRIENDS OF PLEASANT GROVE | MCLEAN, VA | $3,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES |
| WADSWORTH SULGRAVE HISTORIC PRESERVATION FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES |
| DC PREPARATORY ACADEMY | WASHINGTON, DC | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES |
| WOMENS FOUNDATION OF BOSTON | BOSTON, MA | $1,500 | 2025 | ENHANCEMENT AND ADVANCEMENT SUPPORT OF WOMEN IN THE GREATER BOSTON AREA |
WADSWORTH SULGRAVE HISTORIC PRESERVATION FOUNDATION
$50,000REPAIR/ RESTORATION HOUSE & GROUNDS
ALIBI PRESERVATION FOUNDATION
$50,000OPERATING EXPENSES
GREEN HORIZON LAND TRUST
$35,000MARKETING & ADDITIONAL SIGNAGE FOR GHLT PROPERTIES
WILD ENTRUST INTERNATIONAL
$25,000C4C SUPPORT BOTSWANA
ST ALBANS SCHOOL
$15,000ANNUAL GIVING
PEABODY ESSEX MUSEUM
$15,000MARINE HALL REINSTALLATION PROJECT
WINTER HAVEN HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
$15,000PSYCHIATRY
HISTORIC COLONY HOUSE
$10,000SUPPORT APPROVED BUILDING UPGRADES HISTORIC PROPERTY
FALLS CHURCH ARTS
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSE
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
$5,000CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
CHAIRMAN'S DISCRETIONARY FUND SUPPORT
BATH & TENNIS HISTORIC BUILDING PRESERVATION FOUNDATION INC
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES
JOSEPH ROBERT SHAW FOUNDATION JOEY'S FOUNDATION
$1,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
TO CREATE THE KALORAMA ENDOWED FELLOWSHIP FUND FOR STUDENT RESEARCH IN ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES/SCIENCES
ST JOHNS CHURCH- LAFAYETTE SQ
$100,000REPAIR AND RESTORATION OF THE STEEPLE AND SPIRE
MEDSTAR WASHINGTON HOSPITAL CENTER
$75,000SUPPORT OF THE GUSOM/MEDSTAR SUMMER SCHOLARS PROGRAM FOR MEDICAL STUDENTS
WASHINGTON NATIONAL CATHEDRAL
$30,000DEAN'S COUNCIL PROGRAM ANNUAL FUND FOR COMIGN YEAR 2024-2025
WILD ENTRUST INTERNATIONAL
$25,000C4C SUPPORT IN BOTSWANA
GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
$25,000SUPPORT OF THE BLOOD PRESSURE DEVISE PROGRAM
BOK TOWER GARDENS FOUNDATION
$25,000PRESERVATION AND RESTORATION OF THE TOWER, KOI POND AND THE OLMSTEAD GARDENS
CENTER FOR STRATEGIC & INTL STUDIES
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES FOR WORK NATIONAL SECURITY AND U.S./CHINA RELATIONS
ST JOHNS CHURCH- LAFAYETTE SQ
$25,000ANNUAL GIVING CAMPAIGN SUPPORT
PEABODY ESSEX MUSEUM
$15,000SUPPORT OF EXHIBIT ON LOAN FROM THE PHOEBUS FDN WUNDERKAMMER AND KUNSTKAMMER ASPECTS OF THE EXHIBIT
ST ALBANS SCHOOL
$15,000ANNUAL GIVING PROGRAM FOR ACADEMIC YEAR 2023 - 2024
EDITH WHARTON RESTORATION FOUNDATION
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES
SUPPORT PUBLIC GARDENS BROCHURE AND LIVING COLLECTIONS ON-LINE CATALOG
ST ALBANS SCHOOL
$10,000IN MEMORY OF JAMES "JIM" HANSON LEMON, JR.
CENTRAL ASIA-CAUCASUS INSTITUTE SUPPROT OF THE CHAIRMAN'S DISCRETIONARY FUND
HISTORIC COLONY HOUSE INC
$10,000SUPPORT OF REGISTERED HISTORIC PROPERTY IN LAKE WALES, FL FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDOWS
JOHN R KENNEDY CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS
$10,000SUPPORT OF THE OPERA AND AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE'S BALLET PROGRAM
COMMON GOOD
$7,500GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES
FALLS CHURCH ARTS
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSE
BATH & TENNIS HISTORIC BUILDING PRESERVATION FOUNDATION INC
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES
METROPOLITAN CLUB PRESERVATION FOUNDATION
$5,000PRESERVATION PROGRAM SUPPORT
DULIN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSE
FRIENDS OF PLEASANT GROVE
$3,000GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES
WADSWORTH SULGRAVE HISTORIC PRESERVATION FOUNDATION
$2,500GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES
DC PREPARATORY ACADEMY
$2,500GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES
ENHANCEMENT AND ADVANCEMENT SUPPORT OF WOMEN IN THE GREATER BOSTON AREA