Irvin Lansky Foundation
The organization is a private foundation dedicated to supporting various educational and community development initiatives. Its mission focuses on enhancing personal and career development, improving literacy skills among children, and providing job training programs. The foundation serves a diverse range of recipients, including youth development organizations, educational nonprofits, and community service groups, primarily in the Memphis area. Its funding priorities reflect a commitment to fostering educational opportunities, workforce readiness, and overall community welfare.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
A Tennessee-based 501(c)(3) with programs in education, youth development, literacy, or job-readiness that can supply an IRS determination letter and recent Form 990 and match the foundation's typical grant scale.
Good Fit
- • Located in Memphis or elsewhere in Tennessee.
- • Program focus on education, tutoring, youth development, or workforce/job training.
- • Ability to submit the foundation's application form plus IRS determination letter and most recent Form 990.
- • Organizational track record consistent with prior grantees and budgets in the $25k–$100k range.
- • Existing local relationships or referrals to board members or previous grantees.
Geography
Observed grants across both years are entirely in Tennessee and concentrated in Memphis, indicating state-level (in-state) giving rather than multi-state or national support.
Recipient Variety
The latest year shows 12 distinct nonprofit recipients with program diversity (education, literacy, workforce, youth development), though many are repeat grantees from the prior year which indicates moderate variety rather than a broad, rotating portfolio.
New Applicants
The foundation publishes application instructions and accepts submissions via a named trustee and mailing address, and one new grantee appeared in the latest year, but the portfolio is heavily weighted to returning local grantees and awards are board‑approved at trustees' discretion, so entry for unfamiliar applicants is possible but limited.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
