LL Foundation for Youth is a private foundation based in Sherman Oaks, California, established in April 2018 by Leonard "Lenny" G. Leff. The foundation is designated as a 501(c)(3) public foundation and operates as a non-operating grantmaking organization. It focuses on providing financial assistance to tax-exempt organizations that support disadvantaged and disabled youth navigating the transition to adulthood.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$52.9M
-0.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$3.0M
+63.0% YoY
Grant Count
43
+104.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$70K
-20.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Ll Foundation for Youth reported a distributable amount of $2.6M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission Statement:
The foundation provides financial assistance to Southern California organizations that help disadvantaged and disabled young adults feel seen, heard and understood as they transition to adulthood. The foundation is committed to supporting organizations that guide youth through the phase known as Emerging Adulthood—a uniquely challenging and formative period as young people transition from adolescence to early adulthood.
Primary Focus Areas:
- Medical and health assistance for youth
- Mental health support
- Educational assistance and support
- Camp experiences for at-risk youth
- Fertility protection for young cancer patients
- Arts programs for creative expression and trauma processing
- Life skills and experiential learning programs
- Childcare support
The foundation emphasizes serving young people ages 13-26 who face financial struggles, learning disabilities, and other obstacles.
Grantmaking
Notable grants include:
Grant Range
** $10,000 to $500,000, with a median grant of approximately $50,000
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Southern California, with an emphasis on the Los Angeles area and surrounding regions. Other geographic areas are considered by invitation only. The foundation also supports projects in Colorado.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Total Assets: $52,850,472 (as of 2024)
Total Annual Giving: $3,000,000
2024 Financial Summary:
- Total Revenue: $1,974,722
- Total Expenses: $3,755,636
- Total Assets: $52,850,472
- Total Liabilities: $255,000
Number of Employees: 1 full-time equivalent
The foundation maintains a four-star rating based on its accountability and financial practices.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $52,850,472 | $52,936,805 | $50,248,987 |
| Revenue | $1,974,722 | $1,137,259 | $711,686 |
| Expenses | $3,755,636 | $2,536,947 | $4,927,959 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $3,212,735 | $2,034,887 | — |
| Net Investment Income | $1,269,621 | $890,457 | $711,686 |
| Distributable Amount | $2,631,109 | $2,522,739 | — |
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
138 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Ms Gift Ll Foundatino for Youth ($500,000), Cedars Sinai Medical Care Foundation ($250,000), Children's Hospital Los Angeles ($250,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| A PLACE CALLED HOME LOS ANGELES, CA | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS | $100,000 |
| A SENSE OF HOME HAWTHORNE, CA | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS | $25,000 |
| ALS ASSOCIATION GOLDEN WEST CHAPTER WOODLAND HILLS, CA | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS | $25,000 |
| ANTELOPE VALLEY HEALTH PARTNERS LANCASTER, CA | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS | $25,000 |
| AUTISM PARTNERSHIP FOUNDATION SEAL BEACH, CA | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS | $25,000 |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB SAN PEDRO, CA | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS | $50,000 |
| BRAILLE INSTITUTE OF AMERICA INC LOS ANGELES, CA | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS | $100,000 |
| C BOOSTER CLUB RIVERSIDE, CA | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS | $50,000 |
| CEDARS SINAI MEDICAL CARE FOUNDATION LOS ANGELES, CA | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS | $250,000 |
| CHILDHOOD LEUKEMIA FOUNDATION BRICK, NJ | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Renate S. Hochleitner – President/CEO (works 20 hours per week, compensation of $82,500)
Sarina Kaye – Chief Financial Officer
The foundation operates with a small staff, including part-time directors who serve without compensation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| RENATE S HOCHLEITNER | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER | 20 | $82,500 |
| SARINA KAYE | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 2 | — |
| CHARANJIV K SIDHU | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| TAMAR EKIZIAN | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| MEREDITH FLANAGHAN | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| DIANNE SATTERLEE | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has supported notable grantees including:
**Optimist Youth Homes and Family Services** – Funded new facilities and housing initiatives
Optimist Youth Homes and Family Services: New Facilities and Housing - L.L.**Lost Angels Children's Project** – Supported programs focused on overcoming barriers for youth
Lost Angels Children''s Project: Overcoming Barriers - L.L. Foundation forThe foundation publishes annual reports documenting its grantmaking activities and impact, with reports available for 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Ll Foundation for Youth fund?
**Mission Statement:** The foundation provides financial assistance to Southern California organizations that help disadvantaged and disabled young adults feel seen, heard and understood as they transition to adulthood. The foundation is committed to supporting organizations that guide youth through the phase known as Emerging Adulthood—a uniquely challenging and formative period as young people transition from adolescence to early adulthood. **Primary Focus Areas:** • Medical and health assist…
How do I apply for a grant from Ll Foundation for Youth?
**Grant Range:** $10,000 to $500,000, with a median grant of approximately $50,000 **Annual Giving:** Approximately $3 million to $3.2 million annually **Decision Timeline:** 3-6 months **Recent Grant Activity (2024):** Notable grants include: • City of Hope: $250,000 • Cedars Sinai Medical Care Foundation: $250,000 • Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA): $250,000 The foundation has established strategic partnerships with major medical institutions including Children's Hospital Los Angeles, C…
Where does Ll Foundation for Youth make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Southern California, with an emphasis on the Los Angeles area and surrounding regions. Other geographic areas are considered by invitation only. The foundation also supports projects in Colorado.
What size grants does Ll Foundation for Youth award?
In 2024, Ll Foundation for Youth awarded 43 grants totaling $3.0M — an average of about $70K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Ll Foundation for Youth required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Ll Foundation for Youth reported a distributable amount of $2.6M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Ll Foundation for Youth's EIN?
Ll Foundation for Youth's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 82-5249343. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Ll Foundation for Youth'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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