Richard Lounsbery Foundation
/OVERVIEW: The Richard Lounsbery Foundation supports STEM education, science and technology research, natural sciences and French-American relations in the Washington, D.C. area and beyond.
FUNDING AREAS: STEM education, science and technology research, natural sciences, French-American relations
IP TAKE: Although this foundation has national and international interests, it is a significant funder of D.C. groups, especially with regard to STEM education for youth.
PROFILE: Established in 1959, the Richard Lounsbery Foundation is a private foundation based in Washington, D.C. Lounsbery was a New York City native born in 1882 into a wealthy family whose wealth came from work in the legal industry and mining operations. He and his wife, Vera, split their time between New York and Paris. The foundation aims to "enhance national strengths in science and technology through support of programs in the following areas: research that helps build bridges between outstanding groups outside the U.S. and American science; joint international research between nations in conflict; science and technology components of US policy issues; elementary and secondary science and math education, especially in New York City and Washington D.C.; historical studies and contemporary assessments of key trends in the natural sciences; and start-up assistance for establishing the infrastructure of research projects or new fields of research.”
Grants for STEM Education, Science Research, and Civic and Democracy
The Richard Lounsbery Foundation’s local giving in the D.C. area is most focused on STEM education for youth. This funder often provides seed money and partial funding for innovative projects and leadership efforts. French-American cooperation is a priority in all areas of interest for this funder. The Lounsbery Foundation does not fund capital projects, equipment, fundraising events, political campaigns, for-profit businesses or individuals. Vera Lounsbery established the Richard Lounsbery Award to honor her husband in 1978. This award goes to biology or medicine investigators who are selected by a jury and encourage scientific exchanges between the U.S. and France.
Learn more about this funder’s local giving on the giving reports page of the funder’s website. Past grantees include the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association, National Academy of Sciences and American Physical Society.
Important Grant Details
Grants range between about $25,000 and $200,000. Grantmaking often focuses on the Washington, D.C. metro area and New York City. However, the funder also supports nationwide causes that further U.S. policy issues and some international efforts too.
This foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications from nonprofits. However, it does accept brief, one-page letters of inquiry to introduce a new idea to the foundation staff. Full proposal deadlines are December 15, March 15, June 15 and September 15. Direct general questions to the staff at foundation@rlounsbery.org or 202-872-8080.
PEOPLE:
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