LENZ FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER - SEPTEMBER, 2025 | |
Welcome from The Lenz Foundation
Dear Friends,
Reminder! The deadline for grant 2026 submission is September 30, 2025. As we explain on our Grant Policy page, there is no single theme for 2026 grants. We look forward to supporting a range of innovative and impactful programs. Foundation grants for 2026 will range from $2,500 – $12,500.
We acknowledge we are in a time of economic uncertainty. We plan to supplement 2026 grant-giving by offering free, expert training in critical areas you identified in our recent survey.
The great results described in 2024-2025 Women Leaders in Buddhism grant reports inspired us to continue the momentum. Bi-monthly meetings are now underway for all Women in Buddhism grant recipients to network, share programs, and boost powerful next steps.
Warm regards,
Norman Oberstein, Chairman of the Board
Liz Lewinson, Chief Executive Officer
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Grant applications for 2026 are starting to arrive, with a deadline of September 30, 2025. The online application form and further instructions are found on our Grant Policy page. A number of you have written to ask for a PDF of the entire application. Please note that grant applications will only be accepted using the online application form.
We’re looking for programs that provide a vision of larger, sharable impacts, with program elements that may be continued or re-used in the future. We appreciate diversity and innovation.
Many grantees have asked for more opportunities to network and collaborate. Your advance consideration of how other groups in the same grant category may benefit from your work will help us suggest openings for growth and synergies.
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In April, 2024, we sent all grantees a survey regarding training that would be most helpful to their organization. A number of you offered your skillsets. Beginning in early 2026, we will follow up on your interests and offers. For those who did not take the survey and would still like to do so, please click on the link here.
| | WOMEN LEADERS IN BUDDHISM | | |
The Lenz Foundation gave out its first Women in Buddhism grant in 2014. Since that time, numerous programs were funded, leading to the ‘24 to ’25 grant theme of Women Leaders in Buddhism. Sixty diverse grant proposals were accepted, and the reports demonstrated an underlying sense of purpose and unity-- what happens when female Buddhists express their full voices in atmospheres of trust, appreciation, and courage.
We were inspired to continue the momentum. On June 10, 2025, The Lenz Foundation hosted the first online two-hour follow-up meeting—a joyous facilitated session featuring five brief exemplar presentations, breakout rooms to discuss programs, and a large meeting room to discuss next steps. The group of women leaders in Buddhism agreed to meet bi-monthly to continue learning and sharing. A steering committee was formed. The second meeting on August 12 featured more brief presentations, bright and upbeat breakout rooms, and shared learnings. The Lenz Foundation is supporting these bi-monthly meetings for the next year; the multi-perspective sessions will continue to evolve with open conversations around issues and progress.
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An AI Webinar for grantees and stakeholders took place in late April. Two AI experts, Jeff Richardson and Veronica Sanford, fielded questions and laid out basic steps in using AI technology with a focus on discovering how small, resource-constrained nonprofits can leverage AI to significantly boost impact—often at low or no cost. Several AI tools were covered, with examples in social media, newsletters, correspondence, task automation, strategic planning, and more. Enjoy viewing on our website.
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We want to start by saying THANK YOU to our donors over the years – The Lenz Foundation appreciates your help in carrying out our mission. As a private foundation, we operate off a core fund bestowed by our founder, Dr. Frederick Lenz, in 1998. Since then, we have generated a rich and wonderful grantee base that grows every year. We also have great plans for grant-giving and related collaborations (co-hosting conferences, educational gatherings, and engaging in thematic grants, such as the Women Leaders in Buddhism and related follow-up meetings). We pride ourselves on putting every dime to work.
In Remembrance: We were greatly aided in the past year by two students of Dr. Lenz, Reed Alpert and Marc Myers, who bequeathed the bulk of their estates to the Foundation. Such donations buffer and support our ability to help American Buddhist groups in new and innovative ways, especially during these challenging times. We are grateful for your donations. Know they will be used wisely and well.
Please visit our Giving pages to learn different, practical ways you can serve others by becoming a donor.
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