Leo Model Foundation Inc
Leo Model Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 2024, it made 144 grants totaling $2,559,000 to organizations working in areas including human rights, civic engagement, education, food assistance, and the arts.
Leo Model Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Leo Model Foundation Inc gave $2.6M across 144 grants in 2024 (avg $18K), top state New York. 10% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,559,000
- -6.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 144
- -1.4% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $17,771
- -5.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $47,230,157
- +1.5% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 10% first-time grantees (14 of 144, 2024)
- Primary geography
- New York (34% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Leo Model Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1500 Walnut Street Suite 900, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Phone: (215) 546-8058
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Leo Model Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) ($125K). Together the top 10 received $815K.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($5,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
696 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 625 grants of 696 (90%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, the largest shares of grant dollars went to recipients in New York (34%), Pennsylvania (21%), and the District of Columbia (19%). Recipients in Massachusetts received 7% and those in Virginia received 3%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 144 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Leo Model Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
10%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 14 of 144 grantees (10%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $19K; repeat grants $18K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 79% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−2%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 88% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $2.1M (2022) to $2.7M (2023). In 2024 it made 144 grants totaling $2.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) Philadelphia, PA | General Operating Support | $125,000 |
| Human Rights Watch New York, NY | Protect Human Rights Around the World | $90,000 |
| Doctors Without Borders New York, NY | Medical relief to victims of war, disease, natural or man-made disaster | $80,000 |
| Jerusalem Foundation New York, NY | Preserving an open, equitable and modern society in jerusalem. | $80,000 |
| LCV (League of Conservation Voters) Washington, DC | Support for Pro-Climate and Pro-Environment Voices in Politics | $80,000 |
| State Voices Washington, DC | General Operating Support | $80,000 |
| Women's Way Philadelphia, PA | General Support for Women's Support Fund | $80,000 |
| City Harvest New York, NY | Food Rescue and Distribution, Education | $75,000 |
| Oberlin College Oberlin, OH | Higher Education--General Support | $65,000 |
| Hopewell Fund (Vote Forward) Washington, DC | General Operating Support for Vote Forward Project | $60,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $47,230,157 | $3,684,713 | $2,871,066 | $2,559,000 | 144 | $2,650,690 | $3,343,400 | $3,006,188 |
| 2023 | $46,510,577 | $2,685,523 | $3,257,774 | $2,740,570 | 146 | $2,841,571 | $1,758,646 | $2,625,953 |
| 2022 | $47,346,455 | $1,194,180 | $2,450,453 | $2,098,928 | 116 | $2,190,563 | $939,055 | $2,733,127 |
| 2021 | $48,521,515 | $4,929,924 | $2,847,907 | $2,606,166 | 137 | $2,733,707 | $4,564,703 | $3,003,856 |
| 2020 | $46,407,341 | $257,875 | $2,723,384 | $2,496,876 | 153 | — | $729,118 | $2,500,878 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Leo Model Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $3.0M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s own mission is not stated in the available information. Its 2024 grants include support for organizations with a range of missions. For example, Human Rights Watch says it investigates abuses and works to advance human rights worldwide; Women’s WAY describes its work as advancing women, girls, and gender equity in the Greater Philadelphia region; and State Voices says it works to build a multiracial democracy through data, campaigns, and leadership development. Oberlin College describes its mission as educating students and preparing them to address complex issues and create change.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 144 grants totaling $2,559,000. Grants ranged from $500 to $125,000, with a median grant of $10,000.
Among the largest grants were $125,000 to the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society for general operating support; $90,000 to Human Rights Watch to protect human rights around the world; and $80,000 each to Doctors Without Borders, the Jerusalem Foundation, LCV (League of Conservation Voters), State Voices, and Women’s WAY. Other notable grants included $75,000 to City Harvest, $65,000 to Oberlin College, and $60,000 each to Hopewell Fund (Vote Forward) and Turnout Activism.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Officers and directors listed on the 2024 filing are Allen Model, President & Assistant Secretary; Marjorie Russel, Vice President & Assistant; Pamela Grace, Secretary; Roberta Gausas, Vice President and Assistant Secretary; Paul Model, Vice President and Treasurer; Katherine Model, Director and Assistant Secretary; Zachary Model, Director and Assistant Secretary; and Sascha Russel, Director and Assistant Secretary.
Leo Model Foundation Inc is led by Allen Model, President & Assistant Secretary on every filing since 2020; none of the 8 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Allen Model
President & Assistant Secretary
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Sascha Russel
Director & Assistant Secretary
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Zachary Model
Director & Assistant Secretary
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Katherine Model
Director & Assistant Secretary
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Marjorie Russel
Vice President & Assistant
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Pamela Grace
Secretary
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Paul Model
Vice President & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Roberta Gausas
Vice President & Assistant Secretary
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Katie Model (2020–2021) — Director & Assistant Secretary
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "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 Leo Model Foundation Inc
How much does Leo Model Foundation Inc give each year?
Leo Model Foundation Inc gave $2.6M across 144 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $2.7M across 146 grants.
What is Leo Model Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Leo Model Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $17,771, across 144 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Leo Model Foundation Inc that year got $19K on average.
Where does Leo Model Foundation Inc give grants?
Leo Model Foundation Inc's top state is New York, with 34% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Pennsylvania (21%) and District of Columbia (19%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (51 grants), Philadelphia, PA (21 grants), Washington, DC (16 grants) and Brooklyn, NY (4 grants).
Does Leo Model Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 35% of Leo Model Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (51 of 144) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Reproductive Healthcare & Counseling" (3 grants).
Who are Leo Model Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Leo Model Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) ($125,000), Human Rights Watch ($90,000) and Doctors Without Borders ($80,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($5,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 12% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Leo Model Foundation Inc?
Leo Model Foundation Inc reported $47.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.7M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $3.0M (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.
What does Leo Model Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s own mission is not stated in the available information. Its 2024 grants include support for organizations with a range of missions. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Leo Model Foundation Inc?
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Leo Model Foundation Inc's EIN?
Leo Model Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7084119. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Leo Model Foundation Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Leo Model Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/leo-model-foundation-inc-morg_a308ac3e04c1442db2e9960c72bc27fa
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_237084119_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Leo Model Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/leo-model-foundation-inc-morg_a308ac3e04c1442db2e9960c72bc27fa},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Leo Model Foundation Inc'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.
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