Private foundation · EIN 81-1000768 · Los Angeles, California · Philanthropy & grantmaking

The Monica Lester Charitable Trust

Should you approach them?

Don't send a cold proposal. The foundation reports that it only gives to preselected organizations; an introduction through a current grantee or board member is the realistic route.

From the 2024 Form 990-PF: 16 grants paid, $600K total, median $10K. 50% of grants stayed in California.

Accepts applications
No
per 990-PF Part XV
Grants paid, 2024
16
$600K
Median grant
$10K
Stays in CA
50%
of grants
Deadline
—
Assets
$9.9M

Grants paid in 2024

16 grants, all shown · from Form 990-PF Part XV

RecipientPurposeAmount
Cedars-Sinai Medical CenterLos Angeles, CASupporting medical research$150K
Loyola Marymount UniversityLos Angeles, CASupporting higher education$125K
City of HopeDuarte, CAFunding cancer research$100K
Children's HospitalLos Angeles, CASupporting medical research$60K
Prostate Cancer FoundationSanta Monica, CAFunding cancer research$50K
Tunnel to Towers FoundationStaten Island, NYProviding community services$20K
Chabad's Terror Victims ProjectBrooklyn, NYProviding community service$10K
Friends of United HatzalahNew York, NYProviding community service$10K
International Fellowship of Christians and JewsChicago, ILProviding community service$10K
Jewish Community FoundationLos Angeles, CASupporting higher education$10K
The Mahler FoundationSanta Cruz, CASupporting musical production$10K
Colel ChabadBrooklyn, NYProviding community services$10K
Los Angeles Regional Food BankLos Angeles, CAProviding community services$10K
Remote Area Medical Volunteer CorpsRockford, TNProviding community services$10K
Selfhelp Community Services FoundationNew York, NYProviding community services$10K
Federation of Jewish Communities of Cis (ukraine)New York, NYProviding community service$5,000

By state: California 8 · New York 6 · Illinois 1 · Tennessee 1

About this foundation

The Monica Lester Charitable Trust is a private grantmaking foundation in Los Angeles, California, administered in care of Frank Lee, tax-exempt since 2016. Private foundations must pay out roughly 5% of their assets each year, mostly as grants to 501(c)(3) public charities.

All filings on ProPublica

Does The Monica Lester Charitable Trust accept grant applications?

No. On its 2024 Form 990-PF the foundation checked that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations. Look for an introduction through a current grantee.

How much does The Monica Lester Charitable Trust give each year?

In tax year 2024 it paid $600K across 16 grants, a median of $10K.

Where does The Monica Lester Charitable Trust give?

California (8 grants), New York (6 grants), Illinois (1 grants) and elsewhere, per its latest filing.

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