Jonathan D And Mark C Lewis Foundation Inc.

The Jonathan D + Mark C. Lewis Foundation operates as one of the most relationship-driven grantmakers in American private philanthropy — it does not accept unsolicited applications, period. All grants emerge from the foundation's own identification of organizations that embody its mission to "transform young dreamers into fearless change-makers to build a more just and equal world." For grant seekers, this is the single most important structural fact: there is no application portal, no RFP cycle, and no LOI pathway. The route to funding runs entirely through visibility, network proximity, and mission alignment over time.

The foundation's identity is anchored in LGBTQ+ values — it was founded by Jonathan D. Lewis and his husband Mark C. Lewis, and LGBTQ+ equity functions as an organizational throughline across every program area, not merely one funding category among many. However, the breadth of its grantmaking extends substantially into youth development in rural Appalachian communities, arts education for low-income students, environmental conservation, cancer research, and urban LGBTQ+ services. Organizations that sit at the intersection of LGBTQ+ inclusion and youth development occupy the strongest alignment position. Even organizations whose primary mission is not LGBTQ+-specific — such as Farms Work Wonders, which focuses on Appalachian youth through agricultural programming — must demonstrate a visible, authentic commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion in their culture, policies, and programming to earn and sustain foundation support.

The foundation favors deep, multi-year partnerships over transactional one-time gifts. Its top partners — Farms Work Wonders ($4.96M across 3 grants), OHSU Foundation ($1.91M across 5 grants), and Arts For Learning Miami ($1.36M across 3 grants) — have received sustained investment over multiple years, suggesting the foundation values organizational trust and demonstrated impact over novelty. First-time prospects should frame their organizations as long-term collaborators capable of deep partnership, not short-term project grantees.

Following co-founder Jonathan D. Lewis's 2023 passing, Mark Lewis assumed the Board Chair role and CEO Paul Yandura has expanded his operational leadership. The addition of Beda Calhoun as Director of Initiatives signals a more structured program team. For organizations in Florida, New York, Colorado, and West Virginia — the foundation's demonstrated geographic priorities — the most productive approach is sustained presence in the philanthropy and nonprofit ecosystems where Lewis Foundation staff are active, combined with introductions through shared partner networks.

The Lewis Foundation's financial trajectory is among the most dramatic in recent private foundation history. Total assets grew from $6.6M in FY2013 to $25.3M by FY2019, then accelerated sharply: $36.9M (FY2020), $39.7M (FY2021), then a quantum leap to $132.7M in FY2022 driven by a single extraordinary contribution of $103 million — almost certainly related to co-founder Jonathan Lewis's estate and philanthropy. By FY2024, assets stand at $167.9 million, with net investment income of approximately $4.1M in FY2023 generating ongoing endowment returns.

Annual giving has scaled commensurately: $2.8M (FY2020), $3.5M (FY2021), $7.2M (FY2022), $11.9M (FY2023), and approximately $9.3M across 24 grants in FY2024. The slight dip from FY2023 to FY2024 likely reflects portfolio management rather than reduced commitment — the foundation distributed to fewer, larger grants in FY2024.

Grant distribution is highly concentrated. Among 108 documented grants totaling $13.05M in the public grant record, the top 4 recipients captured approximately 70% of total funding: Farms Work Wonders ($4.96M), OHSU Foundation ($1.91M), Arts For Learning Miami ($1.36M), and Aspen Center for Environmental Studies ($911K). The median grant across all transactions is approximately $7,500, but this figure is pulled down sharply by dozens of small recurring gifts in the $1,500–$10,000 range to animal welfare organizations, arts institutions, and community charities. The effective "programmatic partnership" grant range begins at $25,000 and reaches into the low seven figures for flagship relationships.

By program area, youth development and education equity account for the clear plurality of dollar value: Farms Work Wonders (rural Appalachian youth), OHSU Lewis Scholars (young women and minority scientists), Arts For Learning Miami (arts education for low-income youth), Hope Community Center ($1.2M, FY2024), and Social Equity Through Education Alliance ($954K, FY2024) together represent the dominant investment thesis. LGBTQ+ services (Ali Forney Center $500K, The Center $350K) and environmental conservation (Aspen Center $911K) round out the major programmatic pillars. Healthcare research (OHSU CNS Lymphoma trials), addiction recovery (Alina Lodge $500K), and food security (Cleveland Food Bank $500K) represent significant but likely more personal philanthropic interests of the founders.

The Lewis Foundation occupies a distinctive position among LGBTQ+-identified private foundations — mid-range in assets relative to the largest national funders, but distinguished by its multi-geographic footprint, programmatic breadth, and exceptionally concentrated grantmaking style. The following comparison uses approximate figures from most recent public filings:

The Lewis Foundation is smaller in absolute giving than Arcus or NoVo but distinguished by its extraordinary concentration of resources — a handful of deep, multi-year partnerships rather than a broad portfolio. Unlike the Gill Foundation, which focuses primarily on LGBTQ+ advocacy and civic engagement, Lewis integrates LGBTQ+ inclusion across a much wider program mandate that includes rural economic development, cancer research, and arts education, creating more entry points for organizations that serve LGBTQ+ communities as part of a broader mission. Among this peer group, Jerome Foundation is the only funder with an open application pathway for arts organizations, making it the most accessible comparable funder for applicants who cannot secure Lewis Foundation introductions.

The most significant development in the foundation's recent history is the 2023 passing of co-founder and visionary Jonathan D. Lewis, an entrepreneur and investor who was the primary force behind the foundation's dramatic $103M endowment infusion in FY2022. His husband and co-founder, Mark C. Lewis, assumed the Board Chair role following Jonathan's death, maintaining continuity of the foundation's values and mission. CEO Paul Yandura — who had already been leading day-to-day operations — saw his total compensation rise to $437,322 by FY2024 (up from $264,000 in FY2021), reflecting his expanded authority as the foundation's operational leader.

In FY2024, the foundation deployed approximately $9.3 million across 24 grants. Two significant new partners emerged: Hope Community Center ($1.2 million for general support) and Social Equity Through Education Alliance ($954,970 for general support), both representing new entrants to the foundation's portfolio and signaling continued expansion in education equity funding. Farms Work Wonders received its largest single grant to date — $2.7 million in FY2024 — confirming that the foundation's Appalachian youth development investment is intensifying, not plateauing.

The foundation's most recent Form 990-PF was filed November 11, 2025, covering FY2024, confirming assets of $167.9 million and a 5-person professional staff. No major new programmatic announcements, capital campaigns, or leadership transitions have been publicly identified for 2025 or early 2026. The foundation maintains a LinkedIn presence but is not active in public communications or press releases.

The single most critical operational fact about the Lewis Foundation is that it explicitly does not accept unsolicited applications — its own records confirm `application_instructions: none` and `preselected_only: true`. No amount of compelling proposal writing will create a pathway where none exists. For organizations seeking Lewis Foundation support, every strategy must begin with this constraint and build from it.

Build visibility through networks, not cold outreach. Foundation staff — particularly CEO Paul Yandura, Director of Initiatives Beda Calhoun, and COO Jonathan Centofanti — identify grantees through their own networks and sector knowledge. Organizations should ensure their leadership is present at relevant convenings: Miami-area philanthropy forums, Aspen-area environmental and social impact events, New York City LGBTQ+ advocacy circles, and rural and Appalachian youth development conferences. The phone number on file (305-669-8990) with contact Dania De La Vega is appropriate only after a genuine relationship has been established.

LGBTQ+ inclusion must be structural, not rhetorical. This foundation is a LGBTQ+-led institution. Organizations should document LGBTQ+ representation on staff and board, explicit non-discrimination policies, accessible programming for LGBTQ+ youth, and any partnerships with LGBTQ+-specific organizations. This should be visible on your website and in all public materials before any foundation staff encounter your organization.

Center youth as the primary beneficiary. The foundation's mission is specifically about transforming young people into change-makers. Program models that serve adults as the primary constituency are poor fits regardless of other alignment. If your work serves multiple generations, lead with youth outcomes in all materials.

Use the foundation's vocabulary intentionally. Language like "fearless change-makers," "bold, calculated risks," "untapped potential," "challenge the status quo," and "frontline change agents" mirrors the foundation's self-description. Incorporating this framing — authentically — signals mission resonance to any staff member who encounters your work.

Position for general operating support. Nearly all major Lewis Foundation grants are for general operations or named program endowments. Avoid framing your request around a time-limited project. Instead, emphasize organizational vision, leadership capacity, and the long-term systemic change your organization is pursuing.

Geographic fit amplifies all other factors. Florida (South Florida especially), New York City, Colorado (Aspen region), West Virginia and Appalachian communities, and Oregon are the demonstrably funded territories. Organizations operating outside these areas face a significantly steeper pathway.