//
Work at this foundation?
Claim this profile to manage it and see interest from grant seekers.
Lehner Family Foundation is a private trust based in AKRON, OH. The foundation received its IRS ruling in 1990. The principal officer is David M Koly. It holds total assets of $12M. Annual income is reported at $4M. Total assets have decreased from $19.5M in 2011 to $12M in 2024. The foundation is governed by 2 officers and trustees. Tax records are available from 2020 to 2024. The foundation primarily funds organizations in Akron, Ohio and Summit County, Ohio. According to available records, Lehner Family Foundation has made 260 grants totaling $3.3M, with a median grant of $5K. Annual giving has grown from $1.2M in 2021 to $2.2M in 2022. Individual grants have ranged from $250 to $252K, with an average award of $13K. The foundation has supported 110 unique organizations. Grant recipients are concentrated in Ohio. Contributions to this foundation are tax-deductible.
The Lehner Family Foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. The most effective approach is to build relationships with the foundation's managers (Brennan Manna Diamond, David M Koly, Rick Burke) through community networks in the Akron/Summit County area. Organizations that have been previously funded can request general operating support. New organizations should focus on project-specific proposals aligned with the foundation's core areas: arts and culture, children and youth, civic affairs, education, health, and social services. The foundation's Akron/Summit County geographic restriction is strict.
The Lehner Family Foundation distributed $1,198,450 across 96 grants in 2024, up from $988,600 across 93 grants in 2023. Grant activity has been steadily increasing: 80 grants in 2021, 90 in 2022, 93 in 2023, and 96 in 2024. Award sizes range from $250 to $150,000, with an estimated average of approximately $12,484. The foundation offers diverse support types including project grants, building funds, matching grants, and equipment funding. Total assets stood at $12M in 2024, down from $15.8M in 2018, reflecting sustained charitable distribution. The foundation has been operating for over 35 years since its 1989 founding.
Among Akron-area private foundations with $10-15M in assets, the Lehner Family Foundation is one of the most active grantmakers with 96 grants and $1.2M in total giving in 2024. Its roughly 10% distribution rate (giving relative to assets) significantly exceeds the IRS minimum 5% requirement, demonstrating strong commitment to community support. The foundation's broad focus across arts, education, health, and social services makes it more diversified than many peer foundations that specialize in a single area. The variety of support types (project, building, matching, equipment) is also above average for foundations of this size.
In 2024, the foundation made 96 grants totaling $1,198,450 across Akron and Summit County, Ohio. The foundation has shown consistent growth in both the number of grants and total dollars distributed over the past four years. Assets have gradually decreased from $15.8M (2018) to $12M (2024), reflecting a spend-down approach that prioritizes community impact. The foundation's support for matching grants and equipment funding is particularly notable, as these types of support are less commonly offered by private foundations of similar size. Note: the listed website (lehner.org) incorrectly points to an Austrian tax consulting firm and is not affiliated with the foundation.
Approaching the Lehner Family Foundation requires strategic networking since they do not accept unsolicited requests: (1) Your organization must be a nonprofit operating in Akron or Summit County, Ohio — this geographic restriction is firm; (2) Build connections through local civic, arts, or educational networks where foundation managers Brennan Manna Diamond, David M Koly, and Rick Burke are active; (3) If you gain an introduction, prepare a focused project proposal in one of their priority areas: arts/culture, children/youth, civic affairs, education, health, or social services; (4) Consider requesting matching grants or equipment funding, which the foundation specifically offers; (5) Organizations already receiving funding can request general operating support; (6) Contact the foundation at 330-571-0571 or PO Box 6599, Akron, OH 44312 for initial inquiries.
Create a free Granted account to download this report — includes application checklist, full financial data, and all grantees.
Already have an account? Sign in to download.
No program descriptions are available for this foundation. Many private foundations report program activities in their annual 990-PF filings — check the Tax Filings section below for the most recent filing.
The Lehner Family Foundation distributed $1,198,450 across 96 grants in 2024, up from $988,600 across 93 grants in 2023. Grant activity has been steadily increasing: 80 grants in 2021, 90 in 2022, 93 in 2023, and 96 in 2024. Award sizes range from $250 to $150,000, with an estimated average of approximately $12,484. The foundation offers diverse support types including project grants, building funds, matching grants, and equipment funding. Total assets stood at $12M in 2024, down from $15.8M in .
Lehner Family Foundation has distributed a total of $3.3M across 260 grants. The median grant size is $5K, with an average of $13K. Individual grants have ranged from $250 to $252K.
The Lehner Family Foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. The most effective approach is to build relationships with the foundation's managers (Brennan Manna Diamond, David M Koly, Rick Burke) through community networks in the Akron/Summit County area. Organizations that have been previously funded can request general operating support. New organizations should focus on project-specific proposals aligned with the foundation's core areas: arts and culture, children and youth, civic affai.
Lehner Family Foundation is headquartered in AKRON, OH. The foundation primarily funds organizations in Akron, Ohio, Summit County, Ohio.
| Name | Title | Compensation | Benefits | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| David M Koly | MANAGER | $38K | $0 | $38K |
| Brennan Manna Diamond Richard Burke | MANAGER | $38K | $0 | $38K |
Total Giving
N/A
Total Assets
$12M
Fair Market Value
N/A
Net Worth
$12M
Grants Paid
N/A
Contributions
N/A
Net Investment Income
N/A
Distribution Amount
N/A
Total Grants
260
Total Giving
$3.3M
Average Grant
$13K
Median Grant
$5K
Unique Recipients
110
Most Common Grant
$5K
of 2022 grantees were first-time recipients
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akron Zoological ParkCAPITAL CAMPAIGN | Akron, OH | $125K | 2022 |
| Stan Hywet Hall & GardensIMPROVEMENT & OPERATIONAL FUNDING | Akron, OH | $78K | 2022 |
| Akron Art MuseumAUCTION & EXHIBITION FUNDING | Akron, OH | $75K | 2022 |
| Akron Children'S HospitalSERVE U VENTILATOR | Akron, OH | $60K | 2022 |
| The Well Akron CdcRESTORING HOUSING | Akron, OH | $50K | 2022 |
| Akron Rotary Camp2022 REGATTA | Akron, OH | $40K | 2022 |
| Grace House Akron IncCAREGIVER CENTER, DONATION, PAVER | Akron, OH | $26K | 2022 |
| University Of Akron FoundationSCHOLARSHIPS, DONATION & ENDOWMENT | Akron, OH | $26K | 2022 |
| St Mary Urban Education InitiativeEDUCATION ENDOWMENT FUND | Akron, OH | $25K | 2022 |
| Loyola Retreat HouseUPDATE BATHROOMS | Clinton, OH | $25K | 2022 |
| Rahab MinistryPURCHASE VEHICLE | Akron, OH | $25K | 2022 |
| Daughters Of Divine CharityREPAIR FLAT ROOF | Akron, OH | $25K | 2022 |
| St Hilary Parish FoundationWEBSITE & DEVELOPMENT FUND | Akron, OH | $23K | 2022 |
| Embracing Futures IncORTHODONTIC CARE PROGRAM | Akron, OH | $20K | 2022 |
| Art Resources TransformationsCURATED STOREFRONT | Akron, OH | $20K | 2022 |
| St Anthony Of Padua SchoolREPLACE EXTERIOR DOOR | Akron, OH | $19K | 2022 |
| American Red CrossDISASTER RELIEF, UNRESTRICTED | Akron, OH | $17K | 2022 |
| St Vincent St Mary High SchoolEQUIPMENT, LAB SUPPLIES, MATERIALS | Akron, OH | $15K | 2022 |
| Ibh Addiction Recovery CenterAFTERCARE PROGRAM & FACILITY | Akron, OH | $15K | 2022 |
| Our Lady Of The Elms2023 FEB FANTASY SPONSOR | Akron, OH | $15K | 2022 |
| United Disability ServicesSOFTWARE FOR TRANSPORTATION PRG | Akron, OH | $15K | 2022 |
| Boys Hope Girls HopeACADEMY PROGRAM | Cleveland, OH | $10K | 2022 |
| Summa Health Sapphire BallSPONSORSHIP | Akron, OH | $10K | 2022 |
| Truly Reaching You IncPHASE II RENOVATIONS | Akron, OH | $10K | 2022 |
| Akron Area YmcaTHRIVE TEAM | Akron, OH | $10K | 2022 |
| Friends Of Historic Glendale CemROAD REPAIR & REPAVING | Akron, OH | $10K | 2022 |