Leonard Litz Foundation
The Leonard Litz Foundation is a private foundation based in Fairfield, Connecticut. It funds organizations that advance the interests and well-being of LGBTQ+ people through advocacy, programs, and services.
Leonard Litz Foundation at a glance
In short: Leonard Litz Foundation gave $1.3M across 72 grants in 2024 (avg $18K), top state New York. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,275,809
- +24.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 72
- +30.9% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $17,720
- -4.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $6,775
- Total assets
- $2,687,038
- +269.6% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- New York (42% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Leonard Litz Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states on its 2024 filing that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Its grant-proposal page says it will accept no additional proposals for the remainder of 2026 and describes two application cycles beginning in 2027.
- Review Cycle
- For the 2027 cycles, applications are listed as open January 1–31 and July 1–31.
- Deadline
- For the 2027 cycles, applications are listed as open January 1–31 and July 1–31.
- Contact
Mailing address: 140 Sherman Street, Fairfield, CT 06824
Phone: (203) 501-8500
Website: https://leonardlitz.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
4 open opportunities from Leonard Litz Foundation
Leonard Litz Foundation-Silver Connect Initiative Grant
Leonard Litz Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Leonard Litz Foundation-TransPLUS Resource Grants
Leonard Litz Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Leonard-Litz Foundation: LGBTQ+ Advocacy Fund Grant
Leonard Litz Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Leonard Litz Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Lamda Legal ($170K). Together the top 10 received $787K.
Grant Size Distribution
206 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 187 grants of 206 (91%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s primary geographic priority is the Northeast, which its FAQ defines as stretching from West Virginia to Maine, with a heavy focus on Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, New England, and the Mid-Atlantic. It says it extends its reach slightly to some Southeast organizations through TransPLUS and occasionally considers organizations with a national scope. In 2024, 42% of grant dollars went to recipients in New York and 28% to recipients in Connecticut; other leading recipient states were New Jersey (5%), California (5%), and Florida (4%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 72 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Leonard Litz Foundation gives
- 40% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 65% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (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 $71K (2020) to $1.3M (2024). In 2024 it made 72 grants totaling $1.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Lamda Legal New York, NY | General Support | $170,000 |
| Bridgeport Pride Center Inc Bridgeport, CT | General Support | $131,000 |
| Triangle Community Center Norwalk, CT | General Support | $119,500 |
| City College Foundation New York, NY | General Support | $100,000 |
| The Loft White Plains, NY | General Support | $60,000 |
| Glaad New York, NY | General Support | $52,200 |
| Centerlink Ft Lauderdale, FL | General Support | $50,000 |
| The Pride Network Newark, NJ | General Support | $39,000 |
| Congregation Beit Simchat Torah New York, NY | General Support | $35,000 |
| New Haven Pride Center New Haven, CT | General Support | $30,000 |
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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 | $2,687,038 | $3,692,257 | $1,732,213 | $1,275,809 | 72 | $1,721,097 | $468,833 | $80,664 |
| 2023 | $726,994 | $1,288,320 | $1,313,175 | $1,024,210 | 55 | $1,024,210 | $83,867 | $40,419 |
| 2022 | $751,849 | $1,043,050 | $910,635 | $733,660 | 38 | $733,660 | $130,723 | $36,263 |
| 2021 | $62,380 | $650,000 | $1,073,939 | $771,000 | 39 | $771,000 | — | $13,346 |
| 2020 | $486,319 | $595,052 | $108,738 | $71,000 | 2 | — | $2 | $11,890 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Leonard Litz Foundation reported a distributable amount of $81K 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 mission is to help LGBTQ+ people fulfill their potential by funding organizations that advance the community’s interests and well-being. Its stated focus areas are health and wellness, crisis intervention, racial justice, advocacy and community engagement, and social assistance and programming. It gives special consideration to organizations serving communities of color and transgender or gender-nonconforming people.
Its grantees illustrate a range of work. Triangle Community Center describes its mission as empowering and advocating for LGBTQIA+ people in Connecticut through community, health, and learning programs. GLAAD describes itself as an LGBTQ media advocacy organization working for fair, accurate, and inclusive representation. CenterLink says it strengthens, supports, and connects LGBTQ community centers. Mazzoni Center describes its work as providing comprehensive health and wellness services in an LGBTQ-focused environment.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 72 grants totaling $1,275,809. Awards ranged from $500 to $170,000, with a median grant of $6,775. The largest listed grants included $170,000 to Lambda Legal, $131,000 to Bridgeport Pride Center, $119,500 to Triangle Community Center, $100,000 to City College Foundation, and $60,000 to The Loft. The filing lists each of these grants as general support.
The foundation describes three grant paths: Community Grants for broad LGBTQ+ community needs, TransPLUS Grants for organizations serving the TGNCNBI community, and Silver Connect Grants for entities serving LGBTQ+ seniors aged 65 and older. Its website also describes an LGBTQ+ Advocacy Fund.
Applicants must be a registered 501(c)(3) public charity or fiscally sponsored by one; the foundation does not fund individuals or organizations or programs based outside the United States. Its FAQ says applicants may submit one application per calendar year and must choose one of the three grant programs for that cycle. The application process calls for a proposal form, information about the organization and proposed work, the amount requested, an explanation of expected impact, and requested supporting documents. The foundation says proposals are strengthened by a clear connection between the funding request and a documented need, and that it is drawn to specific, finite proposals.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists F Elliot Leonard, Roger A Litz, Andrew Mitchell-Namdar, Robyn Schlesinger, and Anthony Crisci as trustees. Colin Hosten is listed as trustee/director.
Leonard Litz Foundation's 2024 filing lists 6 officers; 4 of 6 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Andrew Mitchell-Namdar
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$3K (2021) → $24K (2024)
Colin Hosten
Trustee & Director
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$59K (2021) → $117K (2024)
Anthony Crisci
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
$4K (2023) → $12K (2024)
Robyn Schlesinger
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
$11K (2023) → $13K (2024)
F. Elliot Leonard
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Roger A. Litz
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Jeff Arnold (2021–2022) — Trustee
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $117K, to Colin Hosten (Trustee/Director). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Leonard Litz Foundation
How much does Leonard Litz Foundation give each year?
Leonard Litz Foundation gave $1.3M across 72 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1.0M across 55 grants.
What is Leonard Litz Foundation's typical grant size?
Leonard Litz Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $6,775, and its average grant was $17,720, across 72 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Leonard Litz Foundation give grants?
Leonard Litz Foundation's top state is New York, with 42% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Connecticut (28%) and New Jersey (5%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (9 grants), Norwalk, CT (6 grants), Washington, DC (3 grants) and Bridgeport, CT (2 grants).
Does Leonard Litz Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Leonard Litz Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (72 of 72) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Leonard Litz Foundation's largest grantees?
Leonard Litz Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Lamda Legal ($170,000), Bridgeport Pride Center Inc ($131,000) and Triangle Community Center ($119,500), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 33% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Leonard Litz Foundation?
Leonard Litz Foundation reported $2.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.7M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $81K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Leonard Litz Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is to help LGBTQ+ people fulfill their potential by funding organizations that advance the community’s interests and well-being. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Leonard Litz Foundation?
The foundation states on its 2024 filing that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Leonard Litz Foundation's EIN?
Leonard Litz Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-3686034. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Leonard Litz Foundation 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). Leonard Litz Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/leonard-litz-foundation-morg_8ecd0218fdb44bfaaf5a4b90e9333a20
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_843686034_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Leonard Litz Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/leonard-litz-foundation-morg_8ecd0218fdb44bfaaf5a4b90e9333a20},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. 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 Leonard Litz 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.
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