Nicholas Leep & Hilda Leep Foundation
The Nicholas Leep & Hilda Leep Foundation is a private foundation based in Highland, Indiana. Its 2024 filing reports 31 grants totaling $1,757,000, including support for schools, human-services organizations, and other charitable organizations. A 2023 filing is marked as the foundation’s final return, so it appears to have been winding down or stopping grantmaking; the 2024 filing nevertheless reports grants made that year.
Nicholas Leep & Hilda Leep Foundation at a glance
In short: Nicholas Leep & Hilda Leep Foundation gave $1.8M across 31 grants in 2024 (avg $57K), mostly in Illinois. 6% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,757,000
- +1294.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 31
- +6.9% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $56,677
- +1204.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 6% first-time grantees (2 of 31, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (75% 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 Nicholas Leep & Hilda Leep Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
- Contact
Mailing address: 2625 Highway Ave, Highland, IN 46322
Phone: (219) 838-0155
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Nicholas Leep & Hilda Leep Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Highland Christian School ($320K). Together the top 10 received $1.6M.
Grant Size Distribution
123 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 117 grants of 123 (95%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, grant dollars went primarily to organizations in Illinois (75%) and Indiana (21%), followed by Michigan (3%) and Florida (1%). Tennessee accounted for 0% of grant dollars as reported.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 31 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Nicholas Leep & Hilda Leep Foundation open to new grantees?
6%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 2 of 31 grantees (6%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $108K; repeat grants $53K. How we count
Medians: $108K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 94% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 1257% 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 (2021–2024). 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 2021 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $125K (2022) to $1.8M (2024). In 2024 it made 31 grants totaling $1.8M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Highland Christian School Highland, IN | Debt Reducation | $320,000 |
| Illiana Christian High School Lansing, IL | Capital Campaign | $320,000 |
| Elim Christian Services Crestwood, IL | Kamp Cottage | $320,000 |
| Chicago Westside Christian School Chicago, IL | Diverse Learning Program | $200,000 |
| Roseland Christian Ministries Chicago, IL | Womens Shelter | $200,000 |
| Trinity Christian College Palos Heights, IL | Capital Campaign | $200,000 |
| World Renew Grand Rapids, MI | General Fund | $16,000 |
| Opportunity International Carol Stream, IL | Genral Funda | $15,000 |
| Strategic Christian Ministries Chicago, IL | General Fund | $12,000 |
| Lifeline Youth Ministries Elkhart, IN | General Fund | $12,000 |
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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 | — | $20,997 | $1,767,905 | $1,757,000 | 31 | $1,742,000 | $466,736 | $41,776 |
| 2023 | $1,300,147 | $78,704 | $132,728 | $126,000 | 29 | $126,000 | $179,134 | $91,125 |
| 2022 | $1,253,194 | $130,924 | $127,795 | $125,000 | 30 | $125,000 | $230,999 | $103,145 |
| 2021 | $1,149,430 | $61,008 | $137,256 | $129,500 | 33 | — | $168,164 | $95,579 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Nicholas Leep & Hilda Leep Foundation reported a distributable amount of $42K 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
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its reported 2024 grants show support for education and human services, among other charitable work. For example, Elim Christian Services describes its mission as enabling people with special needs to achieve their highest potential, while Donka says it works to change the lives of people with disabilities through technology. Cornerstone Academy describes its work as providing supportive Christian education with personalized attention for students working toward a high school diploma.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 31 grants totaling $1,757,000. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $320,000, with a median grant of $10,000. The largest reported grants were $320,000 each to Highland Christian School for debt reduction, Illiana Christian High School for a capital campaign, and Elim Christian Services for Kamp Cottage. Other large grants included $200,000 each to Chicago Westside Christian School, Roseland Christian Ministries, and Trinity Christian College.
Additional 2024 grants included $16,000 to World Renew, $15,000 to Opportunity International, $12,000 each to Strategic Christian Ministries and Lifeline Youth Ministries, and $10,000 each to Donka and Every Child Ministries. World Renew describes its work as joining communities to renew hope, reconcile lives, and restore creation through programs including disaster response, community health, and food security. Opportunity International says it provides financial solutions, support, and training to help people in poverty in developing countries build sustainable incomes and educate their children.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Bruce E Leep as president; Mary Drimalla as secretary/treasurer; and Joyce Vandermolen, Barton D Leep Sr, and Frederick Leep as directors.
Nicholas Leep & Hilda Leep Foundation is led by Bruce E. Leep, President on every filing since 2021; none of the 5 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Bruce E. Leep
President
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Barton D. Leep Sr.
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Frederick Leep
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joyce Vandermolen
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mary Drimalla
Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: E. Kenneth Leep (2021–2022) — Secretary & Treasurer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2024. "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 Nicholas Leep & Hilda Leep Foundation
How much does Nicholas Leep & Hilda Leep Foundation give each year?
Nicholas Leep & Hilda Leep Foundation gave $1.8M across 31 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $126K across 29 grants.
What is Nicholas Leep & Hilda Leep Foundation's typical grant size?
Nicholas Leep & Hilda Leep Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $56,677, across 31 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Nicholas Leep & Hilda Leep Foundation that year got $108K on average.
Where does Nicholas Leep & Hilda Leep Foundation give grants?
Nicholas Leep & Hilda Leep Foundation gives mostly in Illinois: 75% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Indiana (21%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (6 grants), Highland, IN (3 grants), Lansing, IL (2 grants) and Palos Heights, IL (2 grants).
Does Nicholas Leep & Hilda Leep Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 71% of Nicholas Leep & Hilda Leep Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (22 of 31) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Nicholas Leep & Hilda Leep Foundation's largest grantees?
Nicholas Leep & Hilda Leep Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Highland Christian School ($320,000), Illiana Christian High School ($320,000) and Elim Christian Services ($320,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 55% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
What does Nicholas Leep & Hilda Leep Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its reported 2024 grants show support for education and human services, among other charitable work. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Nicholas Leep & Hilda Leep Foundation?
The foundation states 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 ↑
How much is Nicholas Leep & Hilda Leep Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Nicholas Leep & Hilda Leep Foundation reported a distributable amount of $42K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Nicholas Leep & Hilda Leep Foundation's EIN?
Nicholas Leep & Hilda Leep Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 35-6079803. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
Does Nicholas Leep & Hilda Leep 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 2021–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Nicholas Leep & Hilda Leep Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 4, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/nicholas-leep-and-hilda-leep-foundation-morg_558a94b744e94b3986d73455a8f0f42c
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_356079803_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Nicholas Leep \& Hilda Leep Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/nicholas-leep-and-hilda-leep-foundation-morg_558a94b744e94b3986d73455a8f0f42c},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-04. 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 Nicholas Leep & Hilda Leep 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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