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Lions Automobilia Foundation is a private corporation based in COMPTON, CA. The foundation received its IRS ruling in 2020. It holds total assets of $12.7M. Annual income is reported at $1.4M. The foundation primarily funds organizations in Southern California, Long Beach and Compton. Contributions to this foundation are tax-deductible.
IMPORTANT: The Lions Automobilia Foundation is an operating museum foundation, NOT a traditional grantmaking foundation. It does not make grants to external organizations.
The foundation operates the Lions Drag Strip Museum and accepts donations to support: 1. Museum operations and exhibit maintenance 2. Youth and Career Path Programs (restoration workshops and seminars) 3. Specific vehicle restoration projects 4. Educational programming
Organizations seeking partnership (not grants) could explore: - Collaborative educational programming with the museum's youth pathway - Joint exhibits or loan partnerships for automotive history artifacts - Sponsorship of museum events or car culture preservation initiatives - Volunteer coordination through the Long Beach West Lions Club affiliation
The foundation's $12.7M in assets primarily represent the museum facility, vehicle collection, and donated artifacts rather than an investable endowment for grantmaking.
The Lions Automobilia Foundation received $9.7M in contributions in its founding year (2019) while incurring only $11,000 in expenses, reflecting the initial capitalization of the museum. The foundation's $12.7M in assets likely represents the physical museum facility, vehicle collection, restoration equipment, and automotive memorabilia rather than a liquid endowment.
The foundation does not report grants paid to other organizations. Instead, it operates programs directly: - Lions Drag Strip Museum galleries (Main Street USA, American Muscle, Lions Drag Strip, Rick's Garage) - Youth and Career Path Program with hands-on restoration workshops - Vehicle restoration facility with veteran restoration experts - Lions Hall of Fame honoring Southern California drag racing pioneers - Group tours, membership programs, and community events
Revenue comes from donations, memberships, merchandise sales, venue rentals, and ticketed admission rather than investment income typical of grantmaking foundations.
| Foundation | Location | Assets | Type | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lions Automobilia Foundation | Compton, CA | $12.7M | Operating (Museum) | Motorsports Heritage, Youth Ed |
| Nora Tertzag Hampar Trust | Beverly Hills, CA | $12.5M | Grantmaking | Arts & Culture |
| Akat | San Francisco, CA | $13.1M | Operating | Arts |
| Trichell Family Foundation | Bakersfield, CA | $12.1M | Grantmaking | Arts |
| Monimos Art Foundation | Ojai, CA | $12.1M | Unknown | Arts |
Among California arts and culture foundations of similar size, the Lions Automobilia Foundation is distinctive as a fully operating museum rather than a grantmaking entity. Its $12.7M asset base is comparable to traditional grantmaking peers, but the assets represent a physical collection and facility rather than an investable endowment. The Akat foundation in San Francisco is another operating arts organization of similar scale.
The Lions Automobilia Foundation continues to operate its museum in the Compton/East Rancho Dominguez area, featuring multiple galleries dedicated to Southern California drag racing and car culture history. The foundation maintains active social media presence on Facebook, Twitter (@LionsDrag), and Instagram (@thelionsdragstrip). Its Youth and Career Path Program provides hands-on restoration workshops led by veteran automotive experts, aiming to develop the next generation of builders and designers. The foundation is affiliated with the Long Beach West Lions Club and hosts community events at its venue.
1. This is NOT a grantmaking foundation: The Lions Automobilia Foundation operates a museum and youth programs directly. It does not award grants to external organizations. 2. Donations support the museum: If you wish to support the foundation, donations can be directed to museum operations, youth programs, or specific vehicle restoration projects via their website. 3. Youth education partnerships may be possible: Organizations focused on STEM education, career development, or automotive trades could explore programmatic partnerships with the museum's youth pathway. 4. Artifact loans and exhibits: Museums or cultural institutions could potentially arrange artifact loans or collaborative exhibits related to Southern California car culture. 5. Venue and event partnerships: The facility is available for events and group tours, offering potential partnership opportunities for community organizations. 6. Do not submit grant applications: There is no grant application process. Any engagement should be framed as a partnership or collaborative initiative, not a funding request.
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Operating museum with galleries including Main Street USA, American Muscle, Lions Drag Strip, and Ricks Garage
Seminars and workshops for youth led by veteran restoration experts to develop next-generation builders and designers
Onsite restoration facility supporting education and preservation of historic vehicles
The Lions Automobilia Foundation received $9.7M in contributions in its founding year (2019) while incurring only $11,000 in expenses, reflecting the initial capitalization of the museum. The foundation's $12.7M in assets likely represents the physical museum facility, vehicle collection, restoration equipment, and automotive memorabilia rather than a liquid endowment. The foundation does not report grants paid to other organizations. Instead, it operates programs directly: - Lions Drag Strip Mu.
IMPORTANT: The Lions Automobilia Foundation is an operating museum foundation, NOT a traditional grantmaking foundation. It does not make grants to external organizations. The foundation operates the Lions Drag Strip Museum and accepts donations to support: 1. Museum operations and exhibit maintenance 2. Youth and Career Path Programs (restoration workshops and seminars) 3. Specific vehicle restoration projects 4. Educational programming.
Lions Automobilia Foundation is headquartered in COMPTON, CA. The foundation primarily funds organizations in Southern California, Long Beach, Compton.
Officer and trustee information is not yet available for this foundation. This data is typically reported in Part VIII of the 990-PF filing.
| Year | Return Type | |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 990PF | — |
Total Giving
N/A
Total Assets
$12.7M
Fair Market Value
N/A
Net Worth
$12.7M
Grants Paid
N/A
Contributions
N/A
Net Investment Income
N/A
Distribution Amount
N/A
No individual grant records are available. Visit the foundation's 990-PF filings below for detailed grantee information.