The Lemelson Foundation is a private foundation founded in 1992 by American inventor Jerome “Jerry” Lemelson and his wife Dorothy. It funds technology-based education, entrepreneurship, and environmentalist technological innovation. 12
American inventor Jerome “Jerry” Lemelson and his wife Dorothy are the co-founders of the Lemelson Foundation. Since Jerome’s death in 1997, his sons Eric and Robert Lemelson have sat on the board of directors. According to its 2023 tax filings, Eric Lemelson is listed as vice president, treasurer, and assistant secretary, while Robert Lemelson is listed as president, secretary, and assistant treasurer. 3415
The Lemelson focuses its grantmaking on three areas: Invention Education, Invention and Entrepreneurship, and Climate Action. 2
In 2023, it awarded over 60 grants totaling more than $16 million and pledged an additional $14 million for future disbursement. 8
Under its Climate Action focus, in 2023 the foundation awarded $1 million to the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) towards “decarbonization” efforts while pledging another $1 million to RMI. 8 The Lemelson Foundation has previously funded the Rockefeller Family Fund’s Funder Collaborative on Oil and Gas. 2
Through its Invention and Education focus, the foundation awarded $350,000 to the National Science Foundation (NSF) in 2023, and pledged another $2.65 million, to support the “Engineering for One Planet” program. Grants also include over $3 million to the National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance (also known as VentureWell), $2.3 million to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) while pledging another $3.45 million, and $400,000 to the solar energy group Selco Foundation. 28
To develop the next generation of inventors, with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, Lemelson-MIT will 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
$3,000,000
2023
National Science Foundation
NSF-Lemelson collaboration on environmental and social sustainability in engineering education initiative to support and expand the Research in the Formation of Engineers program at higher education institutions to integrate sustainability into the engineering curriculum
$2,500,000
2024
Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy Inc
To support pre-development activities necessary to support Tribes seeking to develop renewable energy projects on their lands
$2,500,000
2024
William Marsh Rice University
To build pathways within Kenyan universities to connect inventions and inventors to the broader innovation ecosystem
To support the climate justice movement ecosystem in the Global South
$2,000,000
2021
Prime Coalition Inc
To enable PRIME to contribute the Foundation’s loan proceeds to Azolla Ventures Catalytic Fund I, LP, which in turn shall invest in companies that have (1) in PRIME’s determination, the potential for gigaton-scale CO-2 equivalent emissions reduction by 2050, (2) a high potential for achieving commercial success at scale, and (3) in PRIME’s determination, a compelling case for “additionality,” meaning that the investee’s climate impact potential is endangered by (i) a lack of initial funding, (ii) punitive terms from other investors that may damage the investee, or (iii) investors who are not able to prioritize gigaton-scale emissions reduction
$2,000,000
2024
Instituto Clima e Sociedade
To support industrial decarbonization and build a diverse climate constituency in Brazil leading up to and following COP30
To accelerate industrial decarbonization by sourcing, selecting, supporting, and scaling climate tech startups through RMI’s Third Derivative (D3) and Climate-Aligned Industries (CAI) programs
$1,518,813
2022
Villgro Innovations Foundation
To incubate invention-based enterprises and address systemic barriers to scale and strengthen the resilience of the invention ecosystem in India
To support Rockefeller Family Fund's Funder Collaborative on Oil and Gas, which aims to create industry accountability for cleanup and decommissioning of methane-leaking infrastructure
$1,500,000
2022
Kenya Impact Innovations Foundation
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 innovations in East Africa
$1,150,241
2020
Menterra Venture Advisors Private Limited
For a program-related investment in Menterra Social Impact Fund II, a scheme of Menterra Social Impact Fund II Trust, a contributory determinate trust settled in India under the provisions of the Indian Trusts Act, 1882, and registered with the Securities and Exchange Board of India as a Category I AIF – Social Venture Fund
$1,145,740
2022
SELCO Foundation
To set up a robust climate focused, inclusive technology innovation and incubation program and knowledge center
$1,143,263
2024
American Society for Engineering Education
To foster the integration of Engineering for One Planet learning outcomes in diverse engineering courses and programs by supporting faculty curricular development efforts
$1,015,000
2021
Third Derivative
To purchase an equity interest in JOLT.SEED to increase investments in cohort companies of the Third Derivative Accelerator Program operated by Rocky Mountain Institute, which allows more early-stage companies that otherwise would have difficulty accessing financial support from traditional commercial sources to have access to capital and have significant potential to combat and meaningfully impact the adverse effects of climate change
$1,000,045
2023
PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
To support a statewide collegiate invention competition in Oregon
To bring internet connectivity to the guardians of the Amazon and develop a roadmap for industrial decarbonization and climate justice in northeast Brazil
$1,000,000
2023
Sustainable Energy for All Verein Fur Nachhaltige Energie (se4all Verein)
For general operating support
$1,000,000
2022
Jaza Rift One, Lp
To support fundraising from foundations and impact investors to invest in innovative and invention-based early-stage startups and tech-enabled small and medium-sized enterprises transforming people’s health in Africa
3. “Inventor Jerome H. Lemelson Dies at Age 74.” Massachusetts Institute of Technology News. Accessed May 29, 2025. https://news.mit.edu/1997/lemelson-1008.
5. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Lemelson Foundation. 2023. Part VII. Section A – Officers, Directors, Trustees, Key Employees, and Highest Compensated Employees
8. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Lemelson Foundation. 2023. Part XIV. Section A – Grants and Contributions Paid During the Year or Approved for Future Payment.
