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. ^{1 2}

Leadership

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. ^{3 4 1 5}

Robert Schnieder is listed as the executive director of the group. Schneider previously worked for U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). ^{6 7}

Grantmaking

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. ^{2 8}

1. “About Us.” The Lemelson Foundation. Accessed May 29, 2025. www.lemelson.org/about/#history-and-mission.
2. “Funding.” The Lemelson Foundation. Accessed May 29, 2025. https://www.lemelson.org/funding/
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.
4. “Jerome Lemelson.” The Lemelson Center. Accessed 29 May 2025.  https://invention.si.edu/about/who-we-are/jerome-lemelson
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
6. “Rob Schneider.” The Lemelson Foundation. Accessed May 29, 2025. https://www.lemelson.org/biographies/rob-schneider/.
7. “Rob Schneider.” LinkedIn. Accessed May 29, 2025. https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-schneider-296b8/.
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.