Improving lives through invention

Cultivating future generations of inventors to create a better world

The Lemelson Foundation was established by Jerome and Dorothy Lemelson in 1992 with the vision of cultivating future generations of inventors to create a better world. After twenty-five years of giving, the Foundation continues to be led by the Lemelson family. To date we have provided more than $300 million in support of our mission.

Our Founders

It all started with one man’s creative spirit and a passion for problem-solving.

Honoring a Life of Impact:
Dorothy Ginsburg Lemelson (1926–2021)

We honor the life and impact of Dorothy (Dolly) Lemelson, the Foundation’s co-founder and former President and Board Chair. Mrs. Lemelson was a businesswoman and passionate supporter of the Portland arts scene, as well as initiatives that helped underserved populations, at-risk youth, and teachers in public schools in Oregon and Nevada.

Our History

Twenty-five years of programming to celebrate and cultivate inventors and inventions that improve lives.

My wife Dorothy and I know what it takes to be a successful inventor: creativity, vision and perseverance.

— Jerome “Jerry” Lemelson

All his life, Jerry wanted to celebrate American invention. He felt it was what made this country strong. Now it’s time to turn to the rest of the world, to join with others to solve some of the most pressing problems of our global community.

— Dorothy Lemelson

Jerry Lemelson wanted Americans to understand and appreciate the contributions of inventors whose work leads to technologies that improve our lives. Above all, he wanted young people to experience the spark of insight and creativity that forms the core of the invention process.

— Eric Lemelson

Jerry saw the world essentially as a series of problems to be solved, that there were things that didn’t work as well, they should work better. They should work more efficiently, they should be safer. All he thought about was inventing.

— Robert Lemelson

Inventing was Jerry’s heart and soul. He was so prolific that it seemed every day he would come up with something else.

— Gerald Hosier, attorney

Our Team

The Lemelson Foundation team includes our Staff, led by Executive Director Rob Schneider; our Board, led by the Lemelson family; and, our Advisory Committee, comprised of leaders in education, entrepreneurship, technology, media, and philanthropy.

Vanessa Briseño

Communications Officer

Joel Clement

Director, Climate Action

Cindy Cooper

Senior Program Officer

David Coronado

Director, Invention Education

Camille Cotton

Grants Manager

Brian Doran

Chief Financial and Administrative Officer

Maggie Flanagan

Senior Program Officer

Sharon Jamin

Finance and Grants Accountant

Executive Assistant & Office Manager

Eric Lemelson

Board Chair and President

The Lemelson Foundation's Advisory Committee provides strategic guidance on the development and implementation of its core philanthropic initiatives and programs. The Advisory Committee possesses a diversity of expertise across geographical regions and public, private, and social sectors.