Mortimer and Mimi Levitt Foundation Inc
The Mortimer and Mimi Levitt Foundation is a private family foundation based in Los Angeles, California, founded in 1966. The Foundation strengthens communities through the activation of underused public spaces into welcoming destinations where free, live music brings people together. The Foundation supports local nonprofits in presenting free outdoor concerts and developing Levitt pavilions and concert sites as community gathering spaces.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$199.3M
+17.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$3.0M
+3.4% YoY
Grant Count
91
-34.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$33K
+58.0% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Mortimer and Mimi Levitt Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $1.5M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation's mission is to inspire and strengthen communities through live music experiences. The Foundation believes joy, access to the arts, and open green space are fundamental human rights.
Primary focus areas include:
- Supporting the creation, development, and sustenance of Levitt pavilions and Levitt concert sites
- Funding free, live outdoor music series and concerts
- Creative placemaking through activation of neglected parks, vacant downtown lots, and former brownfields
- Guiding civic and community leaders in developing new local Levitt programs
- Supporting arts, culture, and education initiatives
Grantmaking
Grant Range
& Timeline
Ready to take the next step with Mortimer and Mimi Levitt Foundation Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
National focus across the United States and territories. Currently supporting communities in 30+ states.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets: $199,275,145 (2024)
Annual Giving: $2.9 million to $4 million annually
Revenue: $6,093,166 (2024)
Expenses: $9,188,317 (2024)
Employees: 6 staff members
Spend-Down Announcement
On November 30, 2023, the Foundation announced a strategic shift to spend down its $150 million in assets over the next two decades, with the Foundation closing in 2041. This represents a dramatic increase in impact—from $20 million given between 2002-2021 to $150 million from 2022-2041.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $199,275,145 | $169,756,709 | $174,754,778 |
| Revenue | $6,093,166 | $3,040,839 | $2,333,499 |
| Expenses | $9,188,317 | $8,558,604 | $6,937,290 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $7,717,004 | $8,623,622 | $5,677,916 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,905,631 | $1,726,563 | $1,450,003 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,534,056 | $1,645,016 | $1,825,243 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
4 open opportunities from Mortimer and Mimi Levitt Foundation Inc
Levitt Festival Grant
MORTIMER AND MIMI LEVITT FOUNDATION INC
Amount
Up to US $5,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Levitt Music Series Grants - AMP
MORTIMER AND MIMI LEVITT FOUNDATION INC
Amount
Up to US $120,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Levitt Music Series Grants - BLOC
MORTIMER AND MIMI LEVITT FOUNDATION INC
Amount
Up to US $120,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Friends of Levitt Pavilion Dayton ($250,000), Friends of Levitt Pavilion Denver ($250,000), Friends of Levitt Pavilion City of Angels ($238,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 646 DOWNTOWN FORT SMITH, AR | COMMUNITY PROGRAMMING SUPPORT | $30,000 |
| ADVOCATES FOR CHILDREN OF NY INC NEW YORK, NY | COMMUNITY PROGRAMMING SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| ALLEGANY ARTS COUNCIL CUMBERLAND, MD | COMMUNITY PROGRAMMING SUPPORT | $30,000 |
| ARLINGTON ROTARY FOUNDATION ARLINGTON, TX | COMMUNITY PROGRAMMING SUPPORT | $2,500 |
| ARTS AND CULTURAL ALLIANCE OF ST LUCIE FORT PIERCE, FL | COMMUNITY PROGRAMMING SUPPORT | $30,000 |
| ART AS MENTORSHIP KANSAS CITY, MO | COMMUNITY PROGRAMMING SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| BAMS FEST INC DORCHESTER, MA | COMMUNITY PROGRAMMING SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| BERGEN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL ORADELL, NJ | COMMUNITY PROGRAMMING SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| BIG CAR MEDIA INC INDIANAPOLIS, IN | COMMUNITY PROGRAMMING SUPPORT | $28,000 |
| BLACK BELT COMMUNITY FOUNDATION SELMA, AL | COMMUNITY PROGRAMMING SUPPORT | $30,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- President & CEO: Sharon Yazowski
- Board Co-Chairs: Peter Levitt and Kathy Eberly Ovitt
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOHN MCNAMARA | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| KATHY EBERLY OVITT | DIRECTOR / CO-CHAIR | 1 | — |
| LARRY CHAIFETZ | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| PASY WANG | DIRECTOR/TREASURER | 1 | — |
| PETER E LEVITT | DIRECTOR / CO-CHAIR | 1 | — |
| SHARON YAZOWSKI | DIRECTOR/SEC/PRES/CEO | 40 | $316,000 |
| HELEN JOHNSON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Announced 2026 Festival Grantees, with 55 free outdoor festivals celebrating music, culture, and local traditions nationwide
Launched multi-year $120,000 matching grants to strengthen communities through free outdoor concerts
PRESS RELEASE: Levitt Foundation Launches Multi-Year, $120K Matching GrantsAnnounced 2025 #MusicMoves Winners and Special Grant Recipient
Levitt Foundation Announces 66 Grant Recipients to Present Free Outdoor MusicAnnounced new Levitt Music Series Communities
Levitt Foundation Announces 66 Grant Recipients to Present Free Outdoor MusicContact Information
Address: 1910 W. Sunset Boulevard, Suite 600, Los Angeles, CA 90026
Phone: 213.201.6100
Email: info@levitt.org
Website: levitt.org
EIN: 13-6204678
Tax-Exempt Status: 501(c)(3), tax-exempt since July 1966
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Mortimer and Mimi Levitt Foundation Inc fund?
The Foundation's mission is to inspire and strengthen communities through live music experiences. The Foundation believes joy, access to the arts, and open green space are fundamental human rights. Primary focus areas include: • Supporting the creation, development, and sustenance of Levitt pavilions and Levitt concert sites • Funding free, live outdoor music series and concerts • Creative placemaking through activation of neglected parks, vacant downtown lots, and former brownfields • Guiding …
How do I apply for a grant from Mortimer and Mimi Levitt Foundation Inc?
**Levitt Music Series Grants (AMP, BLOC, VIBE):** Multi-year matching grants providing $40,000 per year for three years (up to $120,000 total) to U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits to present 7-10 free outdoor concerts annually. Applications open in May with public voting in September and awards announced in November. **Levitt Festival Grants:** Annual grants up to $5,000 for organizations presenting free outdoor festivals. • In 2024, the Foundation made 56 grants totaling over $4 million • Curren…
Where does Mortimer and Mimi Levitt Foundation Inc make grants?
National focus across the United States and territories. Currently supporting communities in 30+ states.
What size grants does Mortimer and Mimi Levitt Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Mortimer and Mimi Levitt Foundation Inc awarded 91 grants totaling $3.0M — an average of about $33K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Mortimer and Mimi Levitt Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Mortimer and Mimi Levitt Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $1.5M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Mortimer and Mimi Levitt Foundation Inc's EIN?
Mortimer and Mimi Levitt Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-6204678. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Mortimer and Mimi Levitt Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program
SOUTHEASTERN, PA
Assets
$22.2B
Grants
24,269
Total Given
$3.0B
National Philanthropic Trust
JENKINTOWN, PA
Assets
$42.2B
Grants
18,583
Total Given
$5.1B
Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc
INDIANAPOLIS, IN
Assets
$9.1B
Grants
19,253
Total Given
$1.2B
Network for Good
WASHINGTON, DC
Assets
$96.2M
Grants
4,733
Total Given
$216.2M
California Community Foundation
LOS ANGELES, CA
Assets
$2.2B
Grants
2,025
Total Given
$272.6M
The Blackbaud Giving Fund
CHARLESTON SC, SC
Assets
$52.7M
Grants
1,860
Total Given
$41.4M
Charities Aid Foundation America
ALEXANDRIA, VA
Assets
$444.9M
Grants
10,157
Total Given
$466.3M
Gs Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund
NEW YORK, NY
Assets
$12.7B
Grants
7,424
Total Given
$3.0B
Jpmorgan Chase Foundation
NEW YORK, NY
Assets
$1.2B
Grants
10,334
Total Given
$202.5M
Liberty Hill Foundation
LOS ANGELES, CA
Assets
$32.5M
Grants
503
Total Given
$9.7M
The Annenberg Foundation
CONSHOHOCKEN, PA
Assets
$1.5B
Grants
543
Total Given
$53.3M
Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES, CA
Assets
$1.2B
Grants
1,063
Total Given
$142.2M
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Mortimer and Mimi Levitt Foundation Inc on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching Mortimer and Mimi Levitt Foundation Inc to a real strategy.