The Lewis Foundation

What The Lewis Foundation does

The Lewis Foundation, legally the Jerry M. Lewis, M.D. Mental Health Research Foundation, is a 501(c)(3) private non-operating foundation established in 1958 in Dallas, Texas by senior medical staff of Timberlawn Psychiatric Hospital and members of the Dallas business community. Originally structured as a dispensing foundation, it converted to an operating research organization in 1967 to conduct longitudinal studies of psychiatric treatment programs and healthy couple/family dynamics, before reverting in 1998 to a grant-making model focused on interpersonal relationship science. The foundation's primary activities are: (1) awarding research project grants and educational/service program grants in the $5,000-$35,000 range to educational institutions and social service agencies, reviewed by the Board of Trustees three times per year; (2) developing and selling the Lewis Foundation Couple and Family Evaluation Scales (Lewis Scales), a revised and updated version of the Timberlawn Foundation Couple and Family Evaluation Scales covering 10 evidence-based dimensions, distributed as an 11-page booklet, scoring form, and 119-page Rater Training Guide; (3) publishing the Mastering Healthy Relationships book; and (4) delivering in-person professional couple therapy workshops with CME/CE accreditation in Dallas and self-improvement workshops for couples. Over $2 million in grants have been issued since inception.

The foundation's revenue mechanics are diversified across donations, grant outflows (funded by donations), workshop registration fees ($50 per professional, free for students), and PayPal-processed publication sales. Distribution is conducted directly through the foundation's WordPress-based website (jmlewisfoundation.org), email correspondence ([email protected]), mail, and in-person delivery at the Dallas headquarters (6301 Gaston Avenue, Suite 445). Strategic partnerships with the American Psychoanalytic Association (ACCME-accredited) and the Dallas Psychoanalytic Center provide continuing education accreditation. The foundation operates with limited staffing (a Director and Administrator), a Board of Trustees of approximately 12 members, and hours restricted to Monday-Wednesday, 9:00am-4:00pm CST. Service geography is effectively limited to Texas, although the Lewis Scales are available globally via order form. The organization carries no parent company, no subsidiaries, no investor ownership, and is governed solely by its Board of Trustees under the legal designation described in section 509(a) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Name

The Lewis Foundation

Legal name

Jerry M. Lewis, M.D. Mental Health Research Foundation

Website

https://jmlewisfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1958

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Lewis Foundation is a Dallas-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that funds interpersonal relationship research through $5,000-$35,000 grants to educational institutions and social service agencies, sells the proprietary Lewis Scales assessment tool, and delivers CME-accredited professional workshops in Dallas.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mental Health Research and Clinical Assessment

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Research & Science Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Grantmaking Agencies & Education Program Grants Administration (EDADAHAD), Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK)

Keywords

• Research grant funding
• Clinical assessment scales
• Couple therapy workshops
• Relationship science education
• Mental health nonprofit

Headquarters

HQ city

Dallas

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: Tax-deductible charitable contributions from individuals and organizations to support the foundation's mission of advancing interpersonal relationship science. Donations determine the amount and number of grants that can be awarded.
2. Grant Disbursement: The foundation awards grants ranging from $5,000-$35,000 to educational institutions and social service agencies for research projects or educational programs focused on interpersonal relationships. The foundation has issued more than $2 million in grants to date.
3. Publication Sales: Sale of the Mastering Healthy Relationships book and Lewis Scales materials through PayPal, including the Scales booklet, Rater Training Guide, and Scoring Summary forms.
4. Workshop Registration Fees: Registration fee of $50.00 for professionals attending couple therapy workshops; free for students. Professional workshop includes Lewis Scales packet.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The Lewis Foundation dispenses competitive grants ($5,000-$35,000) to educational institutions and social service agencies for interpersonal relationship research and program evaluation, while also publishing and selling its proprietary Lewis Couple and Family Evaluation Scales (Lewis Scales) assessment package and the Mastering Healthy Relationships book. The foundation delivers CME-accredited professional couple therapy workshops and self-improvement workshops for couples, supporting both clinical practice and lay relationship improvement.

Product overview

The Lewis Foundation offers a unified portfolio centered on advancing the science of interpersonal relationships. The core offering is the Lewis Foundation Couple and Family Evaluation Scales (Lewis Scales)—a comprehensive assessment tool for clinicians, researchers, educators, and couples. This is supported by Mastering Healthy Relationships, a self-guided book for couples and families. The foundation also dispenses Research Project Grants and Educational/Service Program Grants ($5,000-$35,000 range) to fund external research. Professional workshops (3-hour training for therapists) and self-improvement workshops (for couples) complement the assessment tools and publications, creating an integrated ecosystem for couple and family evaluation and improvement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Lewis Foundation Couple and Family Evaluation Scales (Lewis Scales) A comprehensive evaluation tool for assessing couple and family relationships across 10 evidence-based dimensions. The package includes an 11-page Scales booklet, one-page Scoring Summary form, and 119-page Rater Training Guide, Second Edition. Designed for clinicians, researchers, educators, and couples; compatible with all widely used couple therapy systems and usable as a standalone evaluation and treatment planning structure.
• Mastering Healthy Relationships A self-guided book for couples and families focused on developing and maintaining healthy interpersonal relationships. Authored by John T. Gossett, Ph.D. and Carlos W. Davis, Jr., Ph.D. Available for purchase via order form PDF and PayPal payment processing.
• Research Project Grants Competitive grants ranging from $5,000 to $35,000 awarded to support research projects focused on interpersonal relationships, including connections between relationship characteristics and psychological or physical health. Grants are awarded three times yearly (January, May, September) following Board of Trustees review. Does not fund overhead, administrative costs, or travel for professional meetings.
• Educational or Service Program Grants Competitive grants ranging from $5,000 to $35,000 awarded to educational institutions and social service agencies for educational or service program projects that advance the science of interpersonal relationships. Preference for programs involving two or more professional disciplines. Does not fund overhead or administrative costs.
• Professional Couple Therapy Workshops A 3-hour in-person training workshop for professional couple therapists and counselors, delivered in Dallas, TX. Includes a 117-page training book and hands-on experience using the Lewis Scales to evaluate couple interaction video recordings. Offers CME/CE credits for physicians, counselors, social workers, marriage and family therapists, and psychologists through ACCME accreditation via the American Psychoanalytic Association and Dallas Psychoanalytic Center. Registration fee is $50 for professionals; free for students.
• Self-Improvement Workshops Workshops for couples interested in self-improvement that focus on identifying and strengthening behaviors known to improve stability, satisfaction, and fulfillment in romantic couple relationships. Currently offered when at least 10-12 couples are interested.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $2 million in grants issued to date supporting interpersonal relationship research

Named customers4 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• American Psychoanalytic Association (APsaA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint provider of continuing medical education (CME) for the professional couple therapy workshop. APsaA is accredited by ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians and jointly provides the activity with The Dallas Psychoanalytic Center.
• The Dallas Psychoanalytic Center (DPC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint provider of CME activity with APsaA. In accordance with Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council rules, DPC provides continuing education for Licensed Professional Counselors, Social Workers, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists, and Psychologists.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• The Gottman Institute: Offers evidence-based couple assessment tools, professional training workshops for clinicians, and self-improvement content for couples — directly comparable to the Lewis Foundation's Lewis Scales and dual clinician/couple workshop model.
• PAIRS Foundation: Nonprofit delivering evidence-based relationship skills education programs and workshops for couples — comparable to the Lewis Foundation's self-improvement workshop offering.
• Mental Research Institute (MRI): Nonprofit focused on brief therapy, family systems research, and clinical training; shares the Lewis Foundation's research-and-education focus in interpersonal/family systems.
• PREPARE/ENRICH: Provides validated couple and relationship assessment instruments plus certified training for therapists, paralleling the Lewis Scales' role in clinical evaluation and treatment planning.
• The Relationship Foundation: Nonprofit dedicated to advancing healthy relationships through education and research, closely aligned with the Lewis Foundation's mission to advance the science of interpersonal relationships.
• Ackerman Institute for the Family: Nonprofit offering clinical training, research, and treatment in family/couple therapy — comparable mission area focused on advancing family systems practice through education and applied research.

Emerging players

• The Gil Institute: Smaller nonprofit working at the intersection of mental health research, education, and clinical practice; partial mission overlap with the Lewis Foundation's interpersonal-relationship research focus.

Broad incumbents

• American Psychoanalytic Association (APsaA): Professional organization for psychoanalytic education and practice; an existing CME partner of the Lewis Foundation and a natural peer in clinician training and accreditation infrastructure.
• Society for Couple and Family Psychology (APA Division 43): APA division advancing couple and family psychology through research, training, and dissemination; overlaps with the Lewis Foundation's mission of advancing interpersonal relationship science and clinician education.
• American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT): The largest professional association for marriage and family therapists in the US; a broader incumbent in the same clinician ecosystem the Lewis Foundation trains and supplies with assessment tools.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Lewis Foundation