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
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
No grants recorded for .
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
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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