Libra Foundation Inc
Libra Foundation Inc is a private foundation established in 1994 and based in Delray Beach, Florida. The foundation operates with a mission-driven approach to philanthropy, focusing on funding grassroots organizations and movements led by communities most impacted by systemic oppression. The foundation maintains an office in San Francisco, located on Ramaytush Ohlone ancestral land, which serves as a gathering space for grantee partners, funders, and aligned community groups.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$37.7M
-1.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.3M
+3.6% YoY
Grant Count
41
-2.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$57K
+6.1% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Libra Foundation is committed to a vision of society that uplifts and empowers all people. The foundation believes that all people deserve to live free of systemic oppression, economic insecurity, and environmental harm.
The foundation funds BIPOC-led movements working at the grassroots level to build power in communities, support democratic rights, and center those most impacted in the fight for racial, gender, and environmental justice.
Primary funding areas include:
- Human Services (63% of giving)
- Social & Environmental Justice
- Community Development (approximately 10% of giving)
- Education (approximately 8% of giving)
Grantmaking
Recent grants have included $125,000 to Community Child Care of Delray Beach; $80,000 to Caroline Hill Shelter; $100,000 to South Shore Habitat for Humanity; $50,000 to Russell Education Foundation; and $40,000 to Paul's Place After School Program.
Review Cycle
. The foundation currently makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations.
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's giving is concentrated primarily in Florida, with 74% of grants staying within the state. Four other states receive a significant number of grants: Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, and Virginia.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Giving (as of most recent IRS 990 filing):
- Total Assets: $37,717,788
- Total Annual Giving: $2,320,000
- Number of Grantee Partners: 319
- Total Funded: $163 million (cumulative)
Staffing: The foundation operates with 2 employees.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $37,717,788 | $38,318,278 | $39,332,961 |
| Revenue | $2,007,587 | $1,552,502 | $2,254,854 |
| Expenses | $2,607,309 | $2,559,476 | $2,731,796 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,402,120 | $2,322,196 | $2,412,118 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,821,069 | $1,343,218 | $2,014,095 |
| Distributable Amount | $2,403,274 | $2,355,897 | $2,235,690 |
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
210 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
Donors:
- Jane E. Werly
- Charles M. Werly
Directors:
- J Jeffrey Thistle
- Thomas A Smith
The Libra team is described as reflecting the diversity of the communities served, bringing a wide array of lived and professional experience to supporting grantees' work.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| THOMAS A SMITH | DIRECTOR | 5 | $50,000 |
| J JEFFREY THISTLE | DIRECTOR | 5 | $50,000 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has announced multiple significant grant rounds supporting social justice organizations:
The Libra Foundation approves $10.2 million in grants for social justice$13.5 million in sustained core support grants
The Libra Foundation approves $10.2 million in grants for social justice$12.5 million in grants supporting social justice organizations
The Libra Foundation approves $10.2 million in grants for social justice$12.4 million in grants supporting social justice organizations
The Libra Foundation approves $10.2 million in grants for social justice$20.325 million in grants for social justice organizations
The Libra Foundation approves $10.2 million in grants for social justice$10.2 million in grants for social justice organizations
The Libra Foundation approves $10.2 million in grants for social justiceThe foundation hosts and curates community gatherings that bring grantee partners and aligned community groups together for learning, dreaming, celebrating, and building community. The foundation currently accommodates grantee partners and aligned community groups on a limited basis for events.
The Libra Foundation approves $10.2 million in grants for social justiceRelated Funders
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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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