Leader Foundation
Leader Foundation is a private foundation, based in Clayton, MO. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2026. As of 2026, the organization holds $253K in total assets. In 2026, it awarded 1 grant totaling $14K. Net investment income was $645.
Leader Foundation at a glance
In short: Leader Foundation gave $14K across 1 grant in 2026 (avg $14K), mostly in Missouri. Source: 2026 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2026)
- $13,917
- -9.3% vs 2025
- Grants made (2026)
- 1
- +0.0% vs 2025
- Average grant
- $13,917
- -9.3% vs 2025
- Median grant
- $13,917
- Total assets
- $253,065
- -6.8% vs 2025
- Primary geography
- Missouri (100% of itemized 2026 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2026 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2026; updated September 2026.
Who Leader Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2026
The largest 2026 recipient was Needy Ex-Employees of Stix Baer and Fuller and Their Dependents ($14K).
Grant Size Distribution
5 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 5 grants of 5 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2026 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
How Leader Foundation gives
- Giving fell 37% from 2023 to 2026. Method
- In 2026 it paid out 96% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2026, annual grant giving ranged from $14K (2026) to $36K (2022). In 2026 it made 1 grant totaling $14K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Needy Ex-Employees of Stix Baer and Fuller and Their Dependents Clayton, MO | Needy Individuals | $13,917 |
Ready to take the next step with Leader Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $253,065 | $16,630 | $35,212 | $13,917 | 1 | $13,917 | $645 | $14,532 |
| 2025 | $271,647 | $74,286 | $31,291 | $15,341 | 1 | $15,341 | $52,413 | $14,139 |
| 2024 | $228,652 | $24,675 | $33,587 | $24,174 | 1 | $24,174 | $6,162 | $13,546 |
| 2023 | $237,564 | $51,115 | $37,279 | $22,078 | 1 | $22,078 | $8,028 | $13,040 |
| 2022 | $223,728 | $29,241 | $42,076 | $36,441 | 1 | $37,682 | $3,049 | $13,997 |
| 2021 | $236,563 | $40,049 | $42,002 | $34,218 | 1 | — | $14,666 | $13,372 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Leader Foundation reported a distributable amount of $15K for 2026 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Leader Foundation is led by Steven M. Rafsky, President on every filing since 2021; none of the 5 officers listed in 2026 report compensation.
Officers on the 2026 filing
Steven M. Rafsky
President
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Christine Bertelson
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lee Frerker
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lee Bearman
Treasurer
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert Epstein
Secretary
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2026. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Leader Foundation
How much does Leader Foundation give each year?
Leader Foundation gave $14K across 1 grant in 2026, according to its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2025 it gave $15K across 1 grant.
How large is Leader Foundation?
Leader Foundation reported $253K in total assets on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $14K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $15K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
Where does Leader Foundation operate?
Leader Foundation has awarded grants in Missouri.
What is Leader Foundation's EIN?
Leader Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 43-6036864. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2026.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS June 14, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS June 10, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 4, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS June 5, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS June 11, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2026 (received by the IRS June 12, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Other open foundation grants in Missouri
Missouri Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Leader Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Similar funders in Missouri
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Saint Louis, MO
The Enterprise Holdings Foundation supports charitable and educational nonprofits in communities where Enterprise Mobility operates, focusing on health, education, arts, and disaster relief; applicants must be actively supported by an Enterprise Mobility team member, spouse, or domestic partner. Giving varies widely: it reported 9,499 grants in 2024, but its 2025 filing showed one grant of $101.4 million, so that amount is not a typical award. Applications are accepted at any time through eligible Enterprise-affiliated applicants; the Foundation does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$594.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$101.4M
Greater Horizons
Kansas City, MO
Greater Horizons distributes donor-advised fund grants to eligible U.S. charities and institutions across a wide range of causes; international organizations may also be supported after additional due diligence. In 2024, its grants had a median of $15,000, though amounts varied widely. Grants are requested by fund holders, and no general application process for organizations seeking funding is described.
Assets
$2.8B
Grants
3,282
Total Given
$212.2M
St Louis Community Foundation Inc
St. Louis, MO
The foundation supports nonprofits through its own community priorities and funds it administers for private and family foundations, including economic mobility, youth connections, and a range of other donor-directed causes. In 2024, grants ranged from $5,050 to $4 million, with a median of $20,000; community-impact funding focuses mainly on high-need ZIP codes in Missouri and Illinois, though grants also go elsewhere. It does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests; applicants should check each funder’s criteria and deadlines.
Assets
$494.4M
Grants
839
Total Given
$63.9M
Commerce Bancshares Foundation
Kansas City, MO
The foundation supports a broad range of charitable organizations and community projects, with 2024 grants typically small (median $1,500) but ranging from $200 to $60,500. Most funding went to Missouri, followed by Kansas and Illinois, with smaller amounts elsewhere; it says applicants should contact the program director and provide proof of 501(c)(3) status, and does not restrict giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$35.0M
Grants
645
Total Given
$2.0M
Patterson Family Foundation
Kansas City, MO
The Patterson Family Foundation supported economic opportunity, education, and healthcare in rural communities, primarily in Kansas and western Missouri counties with fewer than 50,000 residents. In 2021, it made 607 grants, with a median award of $6,300 and grants ranging from $144 to $2.5 million. Its 2021 filing says it funded only preselected organizations and did not accept unsolicited requests; no later filing is on record.
Assets
$1.5B
Grants
607
Total Given
$22.3M
Midway USA Foundation Inc
Columbia, MO
The foundation funds youth shooting sports and related firearms-safety, hunting, and outdoor education programs in the United States, primarily through annual grants to eligible teams and organizations with an endowment of at least $2,000. Its 2024 grants had a median of about $11,000 (ranging from $5,002 to $404,253); team cash grants can be up to 5% of an eligible endowment balance.
Assets
$359.7M
Grants
497
Total Given
$10.1M
More similar funders
More Funders in Missouri
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Leader Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Leader Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?