The Leinweber Foundation is a private foundation based in Birmingham, Michigan, established in 2016. The foundation invests boldly and optimistically in fundamental scientific research, educational opportunity, and local priorities in Michigan. With an entrepreneurial spirit reflecting its founder Larry D. Leinweber, the foundation identifies opportunities for significant, long-term impact across its focus areas.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$71.9M
+11.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$4.1M
+10.0% YoY
Grant Count
15
+66.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$272K
-34.0% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Leinweber Foundation reported a distributable amount of $4.7M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: The Leinweber Foundation invests boldly and optimistically in fundamental scientific research, the building block of innovation, and in educational opportunity for those who are its future. The foundation also supports literacy, environmental protection, and other local priorities in an enduring commitment to Michigan. Since its founding in 2015, the foundation has been guided by the formative values of its founder to help people achieve their full potential and leave the world a better place.
Primary Focus Areas:
Scientific Research – Fundamental scientific research is the building block of innovation yet remains under-resourced. The foundation has made the largest private investment ever to support theoretical physics research, totaling over $150 million and growing. The foundation has established 8 Leinweber Institutes dedicated to theoretical physics research.
Educational Opportunity – Expanding educational opportunities in STEM fields is critical to the future of scientific research and enables young people to achieve their full potential. The foundation has awarded over $5 million in scholarships and supports 2 Leinweber buildings dedicated to education.
Michigan Commitment – The foundation maintains an enduring commitment to its home state of Michigan, supporting literacy, environmental protection, and other local priorities important to the family and community. The foundation partners with 50+ organizations in Michigan.
Grantmaking
The foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals. Instead, it collaborates closely with expert partners to advance their work and enable their success, reflecting an entrepreneurial approach to identifying opportunities for significant, long-term impact.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation supports communities in Michigan, Arizona, and Florida, with particular emphasis on Michigan as its home state. Specific cities mentioned include Ann Arbor, Detroit, and Tucson.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total assets: $71,909,410
- Total revenues: $10,956,942
- Total expenses: $4,947,870
- Number of employees: 1
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $71,909,410 | $64,695,322 | $64,750,286 |
| Revenue | $10,956,942 | $5,707,308 | $950,253 |
| Expenses | $4,947,870 | $4,264,742 | $5,171,396 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $4,421,470 | $4,010,322 | $4,927,324 |
| Net Investment Income | $8,823,533 | $4,079,864 | $1,550,382 |
| Distributable Amount | $4,700,908 | $4,062,659 | $4,341,324 |
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
49 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include University of Michigan ($3,000,084), National Wildlife Federation ($200,000), Beyond Basics ($150,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 826 MICHIGAN YPSILANTI, MI | CHARITABLE | $50,000 |
| BEYOND BASICS FARMINGTON HILLS, MI | CHARITABLE | $150,000 |
| COVENANT HOUSE FLORIDA FORT LAUDERDALE, FL | CHARITABLE | $10,000 |
| COVENANT HOUSE MICHIGAN DETROIT, MI | CHARITABLE | $10,000 |
| MI COLLEGE ACCESS NETWORK LANSING, MI | CHARITABLE | $150,000 |
| NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION ANN ARBOR, MI | CHARITABLE | $200,000 |
| OAKLAND FAMILY SERVICES PONTIAC, MI | CHARITABLE | $25,000 |
| UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN ANN ARBOR, MI | CHARITABLE | $3,000,084 |
| MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY EAST LANSING, MI | CHARITABLE | $120,000 |
| MICHIGAN TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY HOUGHTON, MI | CHARITABLE | $20,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Larry D. Leinweber – Founder, President, Treasurer, and Director
- Jessica Leinweber – Secretary, Director, and Executive Director (compensation: $158,500–$159,000)
- Claudia Babiarz – Director
- David Leinweber – Director
- Ashley Leinweber – Vice President and Director
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LARRY LEINWEBER | PRESIDENT , TREASURER, DIRECTOR | 5 | — |
| CLAUDIA BABIARZ | DIRECTOR | 0.1 | — |
| DAVID LEINWEBER | DIRECTOR | 0.1 | — |
| ASHLEY LEINWEBER | VICE PRESIDENT, DIRECTOR | 0.1 | — |
| JESSICA LEINWEBER | SECRETARY, DIRECTOR, EXEC DIRECTOR | 40 | $169,500 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**Theoretical Physics Initiative (2025):**
The Leinweber Foundation announced gifts totaling $90 million in support of theoretical physics research. The gifts establish Leinweber Institutes for Theoretical Physics at the University of Chicago, University of Michigan, University of California Berkeley, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, as well as a Leinweber Forum for Theoretical and Quantum Physics at the Institute for Advanced Study. Each institute will continue to shape its own research focus and programs while committing to cross-institutional convenings around topics of shared interest.
Leinweber Foundation Announces Largest Gift Ever for Theoretical ...**Recent Grants:**
$20 million gift to MIT to support theoretical physics research and education
Philanthropist gives $90 million to support theoretical physics researchEstablishment of new STEM scholarship at Michigan State University
Grand opening of the Leinweber Computer Science and Information Building at the University of Michigan (June 2025)
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Leinweber Foundation fund?
**Mission:** The Leinweber Foundation invests boldly and optimistically in fundamental scientific research, the building block of innovation, and in educational opportunity for those who are its future. The foundation also supports literacy, environmental protection, and other local priorities in an enduring commitment to Michigan. Since its founding in 2015, the foundation has been guided by the formative values of its founder to help people achieve their full potential and leave the world a b…
How do I apply for a grant from Leinweber Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals. Instead, it collaborates closely with expert partners to advance their work and enable their success, reflecting an entrepreneurial approach to identifying opportunities for significant, long-term impact. **Grant Activity (2024):** • Total giving: $4,075,084 • Typical award range: $10,000–$4,000,000 • Median grant amount: $150,000 • Recent grantees include Michigan State University ($120,000), Science Philanthropy Alliance ($100,000), and Cr…
Where does Leinweber Foundation make grants?
The foundation supports communities in Michigan, Arizona, and Florida, with particular emphasis on Michigan as its home state. Specific cities mentioned include Ann Arbor, Detroit, and Tucson.
What size grants does Leinweber Foundation award?
In 2024, Leinweber Foundation awarded 15 grants totaling $4.1M — an average of about $272K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Leinweber Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Leinweber Foundation reported a distributable amount of $4.7M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Leinweber Foundation's EIN?
Leinweber Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-0834290. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Leinweber Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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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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