Funding search · EIN 880391959 · Portland, OR

The Lemelson Foundation

Name: The Lemelson Foundation grants, 2022–2024
Creator: PaperOrbit
License: https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/exempt-organization-public-disclosure-and-availability-requirements

A private foundation (files IRS Form 990-PF). Most private foundations do not take unsolicited applications; the route in is usually a program officer.

180
grants reported: $48.9M
total given: 2022–2024
filing years: $102,550
median grant

Based on grants this organization reported to the IRS for tax years 2022–2024. This is what they filed, not a complete record of their giving, and recent years may be incomplete because filings lag.

What they fund

invention education engineering planet learning development innovation students

Funder website ↗Full IRS filings ↗How this is built Report an error

Funding pattern

What this funder pays for, at what size, and how to position adjacent work. Read from their filings, with every number checked against the record.

1 grant matching “benign” · $66,140

$66,140
Beyond Benign · Wilmington, MA · 2022
To support activities that increase awareness of invention to the chemistry community and increase the stem field subject diversity of the invention education community.

Top recipients

Repeat recipients are the strongest signal of whether a funder has an open door or quietly re-funds the same organizations.

National Collegiate Inventors & Innovators Alliance2 grants · $6.0M
Massachusetts Institute of Technology4 grants · $5.8M
National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance1 grant · $3.1M
National Science Foundation2 grants · $2.0M
Rocky Mountain Institute2 grants · $2.0M
Portland State University Foundation9 grants · $1.8M
Kenya Impact Innovations Foundation5 grants · $1.6M
Climate Breakthrough2 grants · $1.5M
Impact Innovators and Entrepreneurs Foundation6 grants · $1.4M
Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy1 grant · $1.3M

Giving over time

$13.1M

2022

$16.1M

2023

$19.7M

2024

Grant history

The 100 largest of 180 grants.

$3.1M
National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance · Hadley, MA · 2022
To support promising, early-stage student inventors in the venture development process, and to support faculty to cultivate the conditions that nurture student inventors.
$3.0M
National Collegiate Inventors & Innovators Alliance · Hadley, MA · 2023
To support inventive mindsets and skillsets in collegiate students and to support faculty to cultivate invention education.
$3.0M
National Collegiate Inventors & Innovators Alliance · Hadley, MA · 2024
To support inventive mindsets and skillsets among higher education students and to foster institutional conditions that nurture such students
$2.3M
Massachusetts Institute of Technology · Cambridge, MA · 2023
To seek to develop the next generation of inventors, with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, and specifically to expand inclusive opportunities for all people to learn to invent, protect their intellectual pro… read allTo seek to develop the next generation of inventors, with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, and specifically to expand inclusive opportunities for all people to learn to invent, protect their intellectual property, and bring creations to intended beneficiaries; advance invention education as a field of study through scholarly research that informs policies and practices; and expand support for inventors and invention education educators within local communities through new policies, programs, collaborative efforts, and celebratory events. less
$2.3M
Massachusetts Institute of Technology · Cambridge, MA · 2022
To seek to develop the next generation of inventors, with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, and specifically to expand inclusive opportunities for all people to learn to invent, protect their intellectual pro… read allTo seek to develop the next generation of inventors, with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, and specifically to expand inclusive opportunities for all people to learn to invent, protect their intellectual property, and bring creations to intended beneficiaries; advance invention education as a field of study through scholarly research that informs policies and practices; and expand support for inventors and invention education educators within local communities through new policies, programs, collaborative efforts, and celebratory events. less
$1.6M
National Science Foundation · Alexandria, VA · 2024
To enable innovative collaborative research on sustainability by fostering efforts to transform engineering education to prepare graduating engineers to address environmental and social sustainability
$1.3M
Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy · Washington, DC · 2024
To support pre-development activities necessary to support tribes seeking to develop renewable energy projects on their lands
$1.1M
Massachusetts Institute of Technology · Cambridge, MA · 2024
To (1) support the lemelson-mits invention education work in developing the next generation of inventors, with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, and (2) advance the field of invention education
$1.0M
Rocky Mountain Institute · Boulder, CO · 2024
To source, select, support, and scale promising startups through rmis third derivative and climate-aligned industries programs focused on decarbonizing three heavy industries: cement and concrete, petrochemicals, and st… read allTo source, select, support, and scale promising startups through rmis third derivative and climate-aligned industries programs focused on decarbonizing three heavy industries: cement and concrete, petrochemicals, and steel less
$1.0M
Climate Breakthrough · Berkeley, CA · 2023
For general operating support.
$1.0M
Instituto Clima E Sociedade · 2023
To bring internet connectivity to the guardians of the amazon and develop a roadmap for industrial decarbonization and climate justice in northeast brazil.
$1.0M
Rocky Mountain Institute · Boulder, CO · 2023
To accelerate industrial decarbonization by sourcing, selecting, supporting, and scaling climate tech startups through rmis third derivative (d3) and climate-aligned industries (cai) programs.
$850,000
Smithsonian Institute National Museum of American History · Washington, DC · 2022
To support the installation of a new exhibition, game changers, and to develop education outreach programs.
$750,000
Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors · New York, NY · 2024
To be used by rockefeller philanthropy advisors as fiscal sponsor for the urban movement innovation fund
$600,000
William Marsh Rice University · Houston, TX · 2024
To increase capacity and partnerships in kenyan higher education institutions to strengthen kenya's innovation system
$585,000
Impact Innovators and Entrepreneurs Foundation · Wilmington, DE · 2023
Scaling invention-based impact in developing countries through training, capacity building and providing seed-funding for impact incubators in those ecosystems.
$500,000
Climate Breakthrough · Berkeley, CA · 2024
For general operating support
$500,000
Kenya Impact Innovations Foundation · 2024
To support business incubation activities, develop a pipeline of invention-based enterprises, and strengthen an inclusive innovation ecosystem that will increase access to quality healthcare and other biotech innovation… read allTo support business incubation activities, develop a pipeline of invention-based enterprises, and strengthen an inclusive innovation ecosystem that will increase access to quality healthcare and other biotech innovations in east africa less
$500,000
Oil Change International · Washington, DC · 2024
For general operating support
$500,000
Rockefeller Family Fund · New York, NY · 2024
To support industry accountability for cleanup and decommissioning of methane-leaking infrastructure
$500,000
Seeding Justice · Portland, OR · 2024
To be used for bridge funding to support the establishment of the oregon community climate investments fund
$500,000
Sustainable Energy for All Verein Fur Nachhaltige Energie · 2024
For general operating support
$500,000
Clearpath · Washington, DC · 2023
To establish a fund to accelerate the decarbonization of hard-to-abate industrial sectors.
$500,000
Sustainable Energy for All Verein Fur Nachhaltige Energie · 2023
For general operating support.
$500,000
Windward Fund · Washington, DC · 2022
To explore a specific area (methane mitigation) within the field of climate change, engage with and learn from other climate funders, and learn about challenges and opportunities in developing climate change solutions i… read allTo explore a specific area (methane mitigation) within the field of climate change, engage with and learn from other climate funders, and learn about challenges and opportunities in developing climate change solutions in low- and middle-income countries. less
$492,863
Villgro Innovations Foundation (Formerly Known As Rural Innovations Network · 2022
To incubate invention-based enterprises, address systemic barriers to scale and strengthen the resilience of the invention ecosystem in india.
$450,000
Kenya Impact Innovations Foundation · 2023
To support kenya impact innovations foundation's business incubation activities and to build a stronger pipeline of invention-based enterprises in east africa that will meet the health needs for low resource populations.
$400,000
Clearpath · Washington, DC · 2024
To continue support of the clean industrial technology campaign to accelerate the decarbonization of domestic industrial sectors
$400,000
Selco Foundation · 2023
To set up a robust climate focused, inclusive technology innovation and incubation program and knowledge center.
$395,740
Selco Foundation · 2024
To support a climate-focused, inclusive technology innovation and incubation program and knowledge center
$385,381
Kenya Climate Innovation Center · 2022
To support the operations of a professional engineering and prototyping workshop space in nairobi, kenya, that will cater to scalable, invention-based enterprises addressing the needs of underserved africans.
$375,594
Villgro Innovations Foundation · 2024
To support the incubation and launch of high-impact, highly scalable, invention-based enterprises in india that improve lives of the poor as well address systemic barriers these ibes face in preparing to scale, and to s… read allTo support the incubation and launch of high-impact, highly scalable, invention-based enterprises in india that improve lives of the poor as well address systemic barriers these ibes face in preparing to scale, and to strengthen the resilience of invention ecosystem in india less
$360,884
Villgro Innovations Foundation (Formerly Known As Rural Innovations Network · 2023
To incubate invention-based enterprises, address systemic barriers to scale and strengthen the resilience of the invention ecosystem in india.
$360,000
Windward Fund · Washington, DC · 2024
To scale up cost-effective solutions in methane mitigation
$352,206
American Society for Engineering Education · Washington Dc, DC · 2023
To integrate engineering for one planet sustainability learning outcomes in diverse courses and programs nationally.
$350,000
Action for the Climate Emergency · Charlestown, MA · 2024
For general operating support
$350,000
National Science Foundation · Alexandria, VA · 2023
To support and expand the research in the formation of engineers program at higher education institutions to integrate sustainability into the engineering curriculum.
$350,000
Selco Foundation · 2022
To set up a robust climate focused, inclusive technology innovation and incubation program and knowledge center.
$334,045
Portland State University Foundation · Portland, OR · 2024
To support the invent oregon program activities and to implement statewide collegiate invention and prototyping competition in oregon
$334,000
Portland State University Foundation · Portland, OR · 2022
To support a statewide collegiate invention competition in oregon.
$308,914
The Edison Institute · Dearborn, MI · 2022
To support the integration of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in their invention education work, in addition to sustaining a national network of invention convention affiliate programs.
$308,806
The Edison Institute · Dearborn, MI · 2023
To support the integration of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in their invention education work, in addition to sustaining a national network of invention convention affiliate programs.
$300,000
Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated · New York, NY · 2024
To support methanesat, an orbital eye in the sky that could monitor industrial methane leaks all over the planet
$300,000
New Venture Fund · Washington, DC · 2024
To support the catalytic capital community to strengthen disadvantaged communities, expand economic opportunity, and support innovation that advances the well-being of people and the planet in the united states and in l… read allTo support the catalytic capital community to strengthen disadvantaged communities, expand economic opportunity, and support innovation that advances the well-being of people and the planet in the united states and in low- and middle-income countries less
$300,000
Kenya Impact Innovations Foundation · 2022
To support business incubation activities, develop a pipeline of invention-based enterprises, and strengthen an inclusive innovation ecosystem that will increase access to quality healthcare and other biotech innovation… read allTo support business incubation activities, develop a pipeline of invention-based enterprises, and strengthen an inclusive innovation ecosystem that will increase access to quality healthcare and other biotech innovations in east africa. less
$300,000
Portland State University Foundation · Portland, OR · 2022
To support continuation and expansion of the oregon mesa program including after school and community invention education programs and teacher professional development.
$281,500
Portland State University Foundation · Portland, OR · 2023
To support continuation and expansion of the oregon mesa program including after school and community invention education programs and teacher professional development.
$275,000
Impact Innovators and Entrepreneurs Foundation · Wilmington, DE · 2022
Scaling invention based impact in developing countries through training, capacity building and providing seed-funding for impact incubators in those ecosystems.
$250,000
Clean Air Task Force · Boston, MA · 2024
To support civil society organizations in africa working to address methane emissions
$250,000
National Public Radio · Washington, DC · 2024
For general operating support
$250,000
National Public Radio · Washington, DC · 2023
For general operating support.
$250,000
Thousand Currents · San Francisco, CA · 2022
To support grassroots movements led by typically overlooked communities most affected by climate change - indigenous peoples, afro-descendent communities, women, and youth and to implement self-determined climate justic… read allTo support grassroots movements led by typically overlooked communities most affected by climate change - indigenous peoples, afro-descendent communities, women, and youth and to implement self-determined climate justice solutions. less
$225,000
Society for Science and the Public · Washington, DC · 2024
To support a multi-point engagement strategy with middle school students to inspire and educate them through science fairs held across the country
$218,145
Kenya Impact Innovations Foundation · 2022
To support kenya impact innovations foundation's business incubation activities and to build a stronger pipeline of invention-based enterprises in east africa that will meet the health needs for low resource populations.
$208,500
Impact Innovators and Entrepreneurs Foundation · Wilmington, DE · 2022
To support the design and launch of an incubation-affiliated fund focused on invention-based enterprises in africa that increases access to affordable healthcare and develop a working model for replication of incubation… read allTo support the design and launch of an incubation-affiliated fund focused on invention-based enterprises in africa that increases access to affordable healthcare and develop a working model for replication of incubation-affiliated seed funds. less
$205,907
The Edison Institute · Dearborn, MI · 2024
To support the integration of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in their invention education work, in addition to sustaining a national network of invention convention affiliate programs
$205,392
American Society for Engineering Education · Washington, DC · 2022
To integrate engineering for one planet sustainability learning outcomes in diverse courses and programs nationally.
$203,177
Tie Oregon Foundation · Portland, OR · 2024
To continue the tie young entrepreneurs program and expand tie oregon's capacity through third-party evaluators
$200,000
American Society for Engineering Education · Washington, DC · 2022
To integrate engineering for one planet learning outcomes in diverse engineering courses and programs.
$200,000
International Cryosphere Climate Initiative · Pawlet, VT · 2022
To support the critical, urgent, and neglected work to protect the cryosphere, while learning from climate scientists and advocacy experts.
$192,206
American Society for Engineering Education · Washington, DC · 2024
To support the integration of engineering for one planet learning outcomes in diverse engineering courses and programs by supporting faculty curricular development efforts
$180,463
The Edison Institute · Dearborn, MI · 2024
To increase access to and inclusivity in the invention convention worldwide program, particularly for young women, black americans, latinx, and american indian communities
$175,000
Greater Washington Educational Telecommunications Association · Arlington, VA · 2022
To provide black, native american, and latinx youth an opportunity to engage with invention education, using teachers as the vehicle to reach them in an equitable and inclusive manner.
$167,000
Portland State University Foundation · Portland, OR · 2023
To support a statewide collegiate invention competition in oregon.
$165,000
Portland State University Foundation · Portland, OR · 2023
To support a statewide collegiate invention competition in oregon.
$162,500
Portland State University Foundation · Portland, OR · 2024
To support the evolution and growth of current programmatic offerings and to develop a new strategic approach to integrate invention education into the school day
$150,000
Smithsonian Institute · Washington, DC · 2024
To support the lemelson center for the study of invention and innovation with the installation of a new exhibition, change your game, and to develop education outreach programs
$150,000
The Aspen Institute · Washington, DC · 2024
To support the aspen network for development entrepreneurs (ande) to build climate change capacity and expertise so ande can advocate for and support climate entrepreneur support organizations in addressing climate chan… read allTo support the aspen network for development entrepreneurs (ande) to build climate change capacity and expertise so ande can advocate for and support climate entrepreneur support organizations in addressing climate change less
$150,000
African Venture Philanthropy Alliance · 2023
To support the mobilization of investment within sub-saharan african countries into enterprises offering climate adaptation solutions for vulnerable populations.
$150,000
William Marsh Rice University · Houston, TX · 2023
To design and begin implementing a program to support adoption of invention education in select kenyan universities and to identify and convene a community of stakeholders that share the goal of increased contribution b… read allTo design and begin implementing a program to support adoption of invention education in select kenyan universities and to identify and convene a community of stakeholders that share the goal of increased contribution by universities to kenya's innovation system. less
$150,000
William Marsh Rice University · Houston, TX · 2022
Design and initial implementation of an educational intervention to support adoption of invention education in select universities and to support the development of a community of stakeholders that share the goal of inc… read allDesign and initial implementation of an educational intervention to support adoption of invention education in select universities and to support the development of a community of stakeholders that share the goal of increased contribution by universities to kenya's innovation system. less
$137,596
Tie Oregon Foundation · Portland, OR · 2022
To develop the entrepreneurial spirit and skills in oregon high school students through structured education, mentoring, and experiential activities.
$136,404
Oregon State University Foundation · Corvallis, OR · 2023
To support in-school invention education programs, summer camps, and supplemental programs in rural communities in oregon.
$135,000
Editorial Projects in Education · Bethesda, MD · 2022
To support a special reporting project on stem education and complementary activities that will provide a springboard for introducing invention education to education week's reader community of educators, administrators… read allTo support a special reporting project on stem education and complementary activities that will provide a springboard for introducing invention education to education week's reader community of educators, administrators, funders, and policymakers. less
$127,027
University of Maryland · College Park, MD · 2022
Support to foster the integration of engineering for one planet learning outcomes in diverse engineering courses and programs by supporting faculty curricular development efforts.
$125,000
Realize Impact · Bainbridge Island, WA · 2024
To support the development and launch of a program designed to support african and female climate tech innovators
$125,000
STEM Next Opportunity Fund · San Diego, CA · 2024
To support the placement of senior policy fellows in federal government agencies to advance stem, invention, and equity at the federal level
$125,000
Villanova University · Villanova, PA · 2024
To (1) increase adoption of the engineering for one planet framework in diverse institutions, (2) develop models for faculty training, and (3) develop a flexible model for institutionalization
$125,000
Greater Washington Educational Telecommunications Association · Arlington, VA · 2023
To provide black, native american, and latinx youth an opportunity to engage with invention education, using teachers as the vehicle to reach them in an equitable and inclusive manner.
$125,000
STEM Next Opportunity Fund · San Diego, CA · 2022
To support the placement of senior policy fellows in federal government agencies to advance stem, invention, and equity at the federal level.
$120,181
Tie Oregon Foundation · Portland, OR · 2023
To continue tie young entrepreneurs (tye) program and expand tie oregon's evaluation efforts.
$120,000
Editorial Projects in Education · Bethesda, MD · 2024
To support the development and dissemination of new education research focused on identifying the needs of diverse students in stem and invention education
$119,166
Impact Innovators and Entrepreneurs Foundation · Wilmington, DE · 2022
To provide capital for seed investments in invention-based enterprises and to pilot finance innovations that address capital needs that enable scale of invention-based enterprises.
$115,000
Impact Innovators and Entrepreneurs Foundation · Wilmington, DE · 2024
To support a global network of entrepreneur support organizations with increased capacity and resources to foster invention-based enterprises that address the sustainable development goals and are selected for mentorship
$114,164
The Aspen Institute · Washington, DC · 2022
To build capacity related to climate change expertise so that the aspen network of development entrepreneurs can support climate entrepreneurs and advocate on their behalf.
$113,068
African Venture Philanthropy Alliance · 2024
To support the mobilization of investment within sub-saharan african countries into enterprises offering climate adaptation solutions for vulnerable populations
$112,500
Society for Science and the Public · Washington, DC · 2023
To support a multi-point engagement strategy with middle schoolers to inspire and educate them through science fairs held across the country.
$112,500
Society for Science and the Public · Washington, DC · 2022
Support of a multi-point engagement strategy with middle schoolers to inspire and educate them through science fairs held across the country.
$110,000
Impact Innovators and Entrepreneurs Foundation · Wilmington, DE · 2023
To provide capital for seed investments in invention-based enterprises and to pilot finance innovations that address capital needs that enable scale of invention-based enterprises.
$103,599
Oregon State University Foundation · Corvallis, OR · 2023
To continue providing invention education to diverse and rural youth in grades k-12 throughout oregon and to test culturally appropriate teaching approaches, increase the inventiveness of children, generate new research… read allTo continue providing invention education to diverse and rural youth in grades k-12 throughout oregon and to test culturally appropriate teaching approaches, increase the inventiveness of children, generate new research on the effectiveness of approaches, and reach more students in schools. less
$101,500
Oregon State University Foundation · Corvallis, OR · 2024
To provide invention education to diverse and rural youth in grades k-12 throughout oregon and research and test teaching approaches
$100,044
Greater Washington Educational Telecommunications Association · Arlington, VA · 2024
To expand invention education programming adopted during the school day by building sustainable pathways for teachers serving underrepresented groups and teaching non-stem subjects
$100,000
Greater Washington Educational Telecommunications Association · Arlington, VA · 2024
To support the integration of diversity, equity, and inclusion within the associations invention education work
$100,000
Library Foundation of Los Angeles · Los Angeles, CA · 2024
To support the "no prior art" exhibition
$100,000
Collaborative for Frontier Finance · Washington, DC · 2023
To assess the feasibility of and design for a new investment facility intended to mobilize more investment within african countries into local enterprises developing solutions to meet the needs of vulnerable, low-income… read allTo assess the feasibility of and design for a new investment facility intended to mobilize more investment within african countries into local enterprises developing solutions to meet the needs of vulnerable, low-income consumers. less
$100,000
Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated · New York, NY · 2023
To support methanesat, an orbital eye in the sky that could monitor industrial methane leaks all over the planet.
$100,000
The Asme Foundation · New York, NY · 2023
To provide continued support of asme ishow in india, kenya, and the united states and to pilot models for strengthening regional ecosystems.
$100,000
Trustees of Indiana University · Bloomington, IN · 2023
To conduct research to identify the capacities youth need to be inventive problem-solvers.
$99,763
Calcef Innovations · Oakland, CA · 2022
To mobilize more private capital within india for early-stage climate tech startups by developing a technical due diligence service that reduces the barriers of investing in a new sector in which invention-based enterpr… read allTo mobilize more private capital within india for early-stage climate tech startups by developing a technical due diligence service that reduces the barriers of investing in a new sector in which invention-based enterprises are prevalent. less
$99,520
Kenya Impact Innovations Foundation · 2024
To pilot the concept of lean start-up venture studio in kenya that aims to help entrepreneurs to ideate and invent health solutions targeted at improving the health of low-income and underserved populations

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Source: IRS Form 990-PF, Part XV, as filed by the foundation. These are grants already paid — a record of what this funder backs, not an open call.