Judd Leighton Foundation Inc
The Judd Leighton Foundation Inc. is a private, independent grantmaking foundation established in 2000 and based in South Bend, Indiana. The foundation provides grant assistance to tax-exempt organizations addressing community problems and needs, with a primary focus on St. Joseph County, Indiana.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$149.6M
+8.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$6.7M
+27.5% YoY
Grant Count
49
+6.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$138K
+19.7% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Judd Leighton Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $7.1M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation is dedicated to perpetuating the vision of its founder—to improve the quality of life in the community through intelligent investment in three core areas:
- Healthcare - Improving community health
- Education - Increasing opportunities in education
- Economic Development - Promoting economic development
The foundation prioritizes proposals for capital projects and program support that demonstrate the greatest impact on the community while showing sustainability over the long term.
Grantmaking
The foundation made 42 grants in 2024, with total giving of $6,738,585. Recent notable grants include:
Average Grant
amount: $173,000
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in St. Joseph County, Indiana, with preference given to local impact. Grantmaking is concentrated in Indiana, though the foundation has supported organizations across five states, including Minnesota and Michigan.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $149,593,378
- Total Revenues: $11,031,966
- Total Expenses: $13,259,990
- Total Liabilities: $9,690,000
Historical Growth: Total assets have grown from $87.3 million in 2011 to $149.6 million in 2024.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $149,593,378 | $138,477,363 | $129,484,465 |
| Revenue | $11,031,966 | $5,233,904 | $5,190,871 |
| Expenses | $13,259,990 | $5,842,143 | $9,248,825 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $7,067,450 | $5,577,716 | $7,596,024 |
| Net Investment Income | $8,591,303 | $4,044,316 | $4,896,152 |
| Distributable Amount | $7,138,829 | $6,434,182 | $6,692,498 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
225 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include University of Notre Dame ($1,015,000), Mayo Foundation ($750,000), Morris Performing Arts Center ($500,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| A ROSIE PLACE FOR CHILDREN South Bend, IN | To support general operations | $50,000 |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF ST JOSEPH COUNTY South Bend, IN | To support general operations | $50,000 |
| CHILDREN'S DISPENSARY South Bend, IN | To support general operations | $5,000 |
| City of Niles Niles, MI | To support general operations | $10,000 |
| Community Foundation of St Joseph County South Bend, IN | To support general operations and specific programs | $481,250 |
| CORVILLA INC South Bend, IN | To support general operations | $100,000 |
| CULTIVATE CULINARY South Bend, IN | To support general operations | $50,000 |
| CULTIVATING LIFE South Bend, IN | To support general operations | $100,000 |
| EnFocus South Bend, IN | To support general operations | $450,000 |
| FAMILIES FIRST CENTER South Bend, IN | To support general operations | $50,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- James Keenan - President
- Charles Nelson - Executive Director
- Trustees: John Pycik, Jerry French, Donald F. Walter
The foundation maintains a staff of 5 employees.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
No officer/director data available.
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Recent grant recipients and initiatives highlighted by the foundation include:
Leighty grant funding announced for 2025 recipients | News, Sports, Jobs**Mishawaka Troop Town** - A non-profit founded in 2019 addressing veteran homelessness through tiny house construction
**Reins of Life** - An organization providing equine-assisted therapy for children and adults with disabilities, expanding services to meet South Bend community needs
**Studebaker Museum** - 2025 Leighton Award recipient
Studebaker Museum Wins Leighton Award - Community Foundation of St. Joseph**La Casa** - 2025 Leighton Award recipient
Studebaker Museum Wins Leighton Award - Community Foundation of St. Joseph**Boys & Girls Clubs** - 2023 Leighton Award recipient
Studebaker Museum Wins Leighton Award - Community Foundation of St. JosephContact Information
- Website: www.juddleightonfoundation.org
- Address: 202 S Michigan St Ste 910, South Bend, IN 46601-2031
- Phone: 574-232-5970
- EIN: 35-2120550
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Judd Leighton Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation is dedicated to perpetuating the vision of its founder—to improve the quality of life in the community through intelligent investment in three core areas: • **Healthcare** - Improving community health • **Education** - Increasing opportunities in education • **Economic Development** - Promoting economic development The foundation prioritizes proposals for capital projects and program support that demonstrate the greatest impact on the community while showing sustainability over t…
How do I apply for a grant from Judd Leighton Foundation Inc?
**Grant Characteristics:** • Typical award range: $160 to $2,100,000 • Average grant amount: $173,000 • Median grant amount: $50,000 • Individual grants have ranged from $375 to $2.1 million **Recent Grant Activity:** The foundation made 42 grants in 2024, with total giving of $6,738,585. Recent notable grants include: • University of Notre Dame: $1,015,000 • St. Margaret's House: $500,000 • Community Foundation of St. Joseph County: $481,250 **Application Process:** The Board of Directors meet…
Where does Judd Leighton Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in St. Joseph County, Indiana, with preference given to local impact. Grantmaking is concentrated in Indiana, though the foundation has supported organizations across five states, including Minnesota and Michigan.
What size grants does Judd Leighton Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Judd Leighton Foundation Inc awarded 49 grants totaling $6.7M — an average of about $138K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Judd Leighton Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Judd Leighton Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $7.1M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Judd Leighton Foundation Inc's EIN?
Judd Leighton Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 35-2120550. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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