The Louise R Lester Foundation Inc
Roanoke, VA · EIN 54-2036566. Reported 193 grants totalling $2,623,018 to 100 organizations across tax years 2021-2024. This foundation did not tell the IRS it funds only preselected organizations.
Does this foundation accept applications?
Yes -- on its own tax return. Form 990-PF asks every private foundation whether it makes grants only to organizations it selects itself. Of the 91,758 foundations in our data that made a grant and answered, 78% said yes -- and applying to those is wasted effort. The Louise R Lester Foundation Inc did not check that box on its most recent filing, which puts it in the minority that is at least open to being approached.
How big are its grants?
The median grant is $10,000. Half of everything it gave fell between $5,000 and $15,000; the smallest was $500 and the largest $75,000. If you are asking for materially more than the top of that range, you are asking the wrong foundation.
Every organization it funded
This is the complete list from its filings, largest first. Years funded is the number of separate tax years in which the organization received money -- more than one means a real relationship rather than a one-off.
| Organization | Location | Total received | Grants | Years funded | Last |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frankie Lemmon Foundation | Raleigh, NC | $175,250 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Eastlake Community Church | Moneta, VA | $175,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| SPCA of Martinsville Henry Co | Martinsville, VA | $91,500 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Healing Strides of Virginia | Boones Mill, VA | $90,000 | 5 | 4 | 2024 |
| Agape Center | Moneta, VA | $89,240 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Renewanation | Roanoke, VA | $75,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Beafourt Co Community College Foundation | Washington, NC | $70,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Mill Mountain Zoo | Roanoke, VA | $66,500 | 5 | 4 | 2024 |
| Seed Sowers Inc (fruits of Labor) | Dawson, WV | $60,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| YMCA of Virginia's Blue Ridge | Roanoke, VA | $56,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Adult Care Center of Roanoke Valley | Salem, VA | $55,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Children's Assistive Technology | Roanoke, VA | $55,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Renick Community Center | Renick, WV | $54,961 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Greenbrier County Youth Camp | Frankford, VA | $50,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Habitat for Humanity Franklin Co | Rocky Mount, VA | $50,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Renew a Nation | Roanoke, VA | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Smith Mountain Lake Christian Academy | Moneta, VA | $50,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Rescue Mission of Roanoke | Roanoke, VA | $45,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Roanoke Valley SPCA | Roanoke, VA | $45,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Good Samaritan Hospice | Roanoke, VA | $40,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Habitat for Humanity Roanoke Valley | Roanoke, VA | $40,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Rx Partnership | Richmond, VA | $40,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| St Francis Service Dogs | Roanoke, VA | $40,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Virginia Western Community College Foundation | Roanoke, VA | $40,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Free Clinic of Franklin County | Rocky Mount, VA | $36,258 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| God's Pit Crew | Danville, VA | $35,000 | 5 | 3 | 2024 |
| Mill Mountain Theater | Roanoke, VA | $35,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Gods Pit Crew | Danville, VA | $34,975 | 3 | 2 | 2024 |
| Ronald Mcdonald House Swva | Roanoke, VA | $32,300 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Carilion Foundation | Roanoke, VA | $30,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Feeding America Swva | Salem, VA | $30,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| United Way Roanoke Valley | Roanoke, VA | $30,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Southern Area Agency on Aging | Martinsville, VA | $28,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Virginia Children's Theater | Roanoke, VA | $27,500 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Salem Roanoke County Food Pantry | Salem, VA | $26,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Local Office on Aging | Roanoke, VA | $25,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Second Presbyterian Church | Roanoke, VA | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Young Life Martinsville Henry Co | Martinsville, VA | $25,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| American Adverting Federation of Roanoke | Roanoke, VA | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| American Advertising Federation of Roanoke | Roanoke, VA | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Bradley Free Clinic | Roanoke, VA | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Communities in Schools Greenbrier County | Lewisburg, WV | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Greenbrier Co Young Life | Lewisburg, WV | $20,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Made 4 Me | Raleigh, NC | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Roanoke Area Ministries | Roanoke, VA | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Shepherd's Center Greenbrier Valley | Lewisburg, WV | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Virginia Western Community College | Roanoke, VA | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Spencer Penn Centre | Spencer, VA | $19,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Depaul Community Resources | Roanoke, VA | $18,684 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Community Christmas Store | Salem, VA | $15,150 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Feeding American Swva | Salem, VA | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| First Baptist Church Rainelle Food Pantry | Rainelle, WV | $15,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Virginia Institute of Autism | Charlottesville, VA | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Washington Beaufourt Co Chamber of Commerce | Washington, NC | $15,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Five Hearts Theraputic Horsemanship | Raleigh, NC | $14,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Pack-a-Snack | Rainelle, WV | $12,900 | 4 | 3 | 2023 |
| Esteamed Coffee | Cary, NC | $11,900 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Boys and Girls Club of Swva | Roanoke, VA | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Chip of Roanoke Valley | Roanoke, VA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Da Capo Virginia | Martinsville, VA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Friendship Circle of Va | Richmond, VA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Gateway Industries | Ronceverte, WV | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Harvest Worship Center | Patrick Springs, VA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Lovable Services | Roanoke, VA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Renovation Alliance | Roanoke, VA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Restoration Housing Roanoke | Roanoke, VA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Science Museum of Western Va | Roanoke, VA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Tap (total Action Against Poverty) | Roanoke, VA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Wellspring of Greenbrier Inc | Lewisburg, WV | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Young Life Martinsvillehenry Co | Martinsville, VA | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Open Door Community Center | Washington, NC | $8,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Free Roanoke | Roanoke, VA | $7,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| God's Pit Crew (special Cir Donation) | Danville, VA | $7,500 | 2 | 1 | 2021 |
| Samaritans Purse (special Cir Donation) | Boone, NC | $7,500 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Sleep in Heavenly Peace | Twin Falls, ID | $7,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Free of Roanoke | Roanoke, VA | $6,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Als Society of Dcmdva | Richmond, VA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Apple Ridge Farm | Roanoke, VA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Center in the Square | Roanoke, VA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Children's Trust Roanoke Valley | Roanoke, VA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Greenbrier River Trail Foundation | Marlington, WV | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Salem Area Ecumenical Ministries | Salem, VA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Samaritans Purse | Boone, NC | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Samartians' Purse | Boone, NC | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| United Way Henry Comartinsville | Martinsville, VA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| United Way of Martinsville Henry Co | Martinsville, VA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Virginia Childrens Theater | Roanoke, VA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| West End Center | Roanoke, VA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Williamsburg Community Action Group | Williamsburg, WV | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Angels of Assisi | Roanoke, VA | $4,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Swva Wildlife Center | Roanoke, VA | $4,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Local Office on Aging (loa) | Roanoke, VA | $3,900 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Brady Valcho Autism Foundation | Holly Springs, NC | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Least of These Ministry | Roanoke, VA | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| North Roanoke Baptist Church | Roanoke, VA | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Northern Greenbrier Latchkey Kids | Frankford, WV | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Roanoke Valley Speech and Hearing Center | Roanoke, VA | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Gigi's Playhouse | Raleigh, NC | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Sleep in Heavenly Peace Nrv (special Cir Donation) | Twin Falls, ID | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| RVA1004100 | Richmond, VA | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
50 of 100 (50%) received money in more than one year over the 4 years we hold.
Measured the way we measure every foundation -- what share of one year's grantees are funded again the next -- this one retains 51%, across 3 year-to-year transitions. The median foundation retains about 67%, so this one is less consistent than most. A high number means its list is close to settled and a newcomer has to displace someone; a low one means it is still moving money around, which is where an opening is.
What the money was for
Taken verbatim from the purpose field of its filings. This is the closest thing to a statement of what this foundation cares about, in its own words.
- Renewanation
GENERAL OPERATING MATCH - ALL PROGRAMS - Renew a Nation
BOOK AND DEBATE TRAINING PRODUCTION - YMCA of Virginia's Blue Ridge
NAMING RIGHTS FOR NEW YMCA - Frankie Lemmon Foundation
MULTIPURPOSE ROOM AV UPGRADES - Carilion Foundation
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES CHILDREN - Beafourt Co Community College Foundation
SCHOLARSHIP FUND/ENDOWMENT
What kind of organizations it funds
By the recipient's own IRS classification, for the 71 grants where we could identify the organization. These are assigned categories, not our guesses.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants | Total | Median grant |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 54 | $643,325 | $10,000 |
| 2022 | 57 | $712,352 | $10,000 |
| 2023 | 43 | $633,301 | $10,000 |
| 2024 | 39 | $634,040 | $10,000 |
Tax years, not calendar years, and the most recent year is usually incomplete -- filings arrive about a year late, so a low final year means late paperwork rather than a foundation winding down.
Where its money goes
Foundations concentrate geographically far more than their mission statements suggest. 78% of this one's giving went to organizations in Virginia. If you are outside its footprint, that matters more than how well your programme fits.
Find more foundations like The Louise R Lester Foundation Inc
We email you newly filed foundations whose giving matches your state and cause, as the IRS publishes them. Free.
No spam, unsubscribe in one click. We never sell or share your address.
Funders that support the same organizations
These funders gave to organizations this one also funded -- some private foundations, some community foundations and other grantmaking charities. Shared grantees are the strongest available signal that two funders have overlapping priorities, and a funder already backing your peers is a far warmer prospect than one that merely lists your cause.
How to approach this foundation
- Check you are its size. The median grant is $10,000. Asking for ten times that is the most common way small organizations waste a submission.
- Check you are in its geography. Its giving is concentrated in Virginia.
- Read the recipient list above for organizations like yours. If nothing on it resembles your work, that is a real answer, and a cheap one to get.
- Look up the current filing before writing. The 990-PF names the foundation's officers and, where one exists, its application procedure. We link it below.
Related guides
Where these numbers come from
Everything above is taken from The Louise R Lester Foundation Inc's own Form 990-PF filings, which the IRS publishes in bulk. We used 4 returns (tax years 2021-2024). Nothing here is scraped, inferred, or estimated.
Address of record on the latest return: 3130 Chaparral Drive 108, Roanoke, VA, 24018. This is the address the foundation gave the IRS; many small foundations file through an accountant or a bank trust department, so it may not be where post to a programme officer should go.
EIN 54-2036566 · See the original filings on ProPublica · How we build this
Is something here wrong about your foundation? Email hello@funderscope.com and we will correct it.