Phillip & Edith Leonian Foundation
The Phillip & Edith Leonian Foundation is a private foundation based in the Bronx, New York. It supports photography education, documentary photography, and other photography-related projects in the United States, with a stated goal of raising awareness of and appreciation for photography and photographers.
Phillip & Edith Leonian Foundation at a glance
In short: Phillip & Edith Leonian Foundation gave $693K across 54 grants in 2025 (avg $13K), mostly in New York. 33% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $692,570
- +34.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 54
- +28.6% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $12,825
- +4.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $3,439,582
- -19.3% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 33% first-time grantees (18 of 54, 2025)
- Primary geography
- New York (58% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Phillip & Edith Leonian Foundation
- How to Apply
-
Submit one proposal through the application portal during the annual application period, using the materials described above.
- Review Cycle
- March 1, 2027.
- Deadline
- March 1, 2027.
- Contact
Application contact: Judith Lane
Mailing address: 3400 Fort Independence St 2H, Bronx, NY 10463
Phone: (312) 720-7273
Website: https://leonianfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Phillip & Edith Leonian Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Bronx Documentary Center ($50K). Together the top 10 received $285K.
Grant Size Distribution
193 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 187 grants of 193 (97%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s application information describes eligibility for U.S.-based organizations and U.S. citizens or permanent residents. In 2025, 58% of grant dollars went to recipients in New York, followed by Illinois (8%), Texas (7%), California (7%), and Pennsylvania (5%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 54 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Phillip & Edith Leonian Foundation open to new grantees?
33%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 18 of 54 grantees (33%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $9K; repeat grants $15K. How we count
Medians: $9K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 54% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 38% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 193% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019–2025). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $451K (2020) to $693K (2025). In 2025 it made 54 grants totaling $693K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Bronx Documentary Center Bronx, NY | General Support | $50,000 |
| Fotofest International Houston, TX | Genral Support | $30,000 |
| NYC Salt New York, NY | Gereral Support | $30,000 |
| International Center for Photography New York, NY | General Support | $25,000 |
| Center for Photography at Woodstock Kingston, NY | General Support | $25,000 |
| Eddie Adams Workshop Organization Inc Jeffersonville, NY | General Support | $25,000 |
| Museum of Contemporary Photography Chicago, IL | General Support | $25,000 |
| United Photo Industries Brooklyn, NY | General Support | $25,000 |
| William Eugene Smith Memorial Fund Co International Center for Photography New York, NY | General Support | $25,000 |
| Oregon Center for the Photographic Arts-DBA Blue Sky Gallery Portland, OR | General Support | $25,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $3,439,582 | $109,044 | $931,779 | $692,570 | 54 | $856,762 | $82,652 | $444,257 |
| 2024 | $4,262,317 | $410,826 | $748,884 | $514,300 | 42 | $699,771 | $361,713 | $452,114 |
| 2023 | $4,600,375 | $389,120 | $802,018 | $566,674 | 36 | $755,027 | $330,966 | $436,638 |
| 2022 | $5,013,273 | $267,245 | $766,908 | $503,000 | 29 | $688,958 | $214,253 | $469,309 |
| 2021 | $5,512,936 | $1,247,534 | $767,750 | $525,420 | 32 | $707,194 | $1,189,049 | $514,604 |
| 2020 | $5,033,152 | $403,997 | $707,563 | $450,600 | 27 | — | $285,392 | $480,620 |
| 2019 | $5,336,718 | $634,583 | $772,615 | $531,866 | 29 | — | $589,751 | $487,308 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Phillip & Edith Leonian Foundation reported a distributable amount of $444K for 2025 — 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 raise awareness of and appreciation for photography and photographers who are U.S. citizens or residents by supporting photographic education, projects, and career development, with an emphasis on documentary photography.
Its stated funding areas include photography education for K–12 students and adults; professional development such as workshops, mentorships, fellowships, internships, and artist residencies; preservation and cataloging of photographic collections; and other photography projects, including personal projects, awards, and honoraria. It also considers exhibitions with budgets under $50,000 and community documentary photography projects. The foundation prioritizes educational programs and values programs that bring photography into a community.
Grantees illustrate the range of work supported. NYC SALT describes its work as helping underserved New York City youth build visual arts skills and prepare for college and careers through photography and video. The Eddie Adams Workshop says it provides emerging photographers with tuition-free mentorship and professional opportunities. En Foco describes its work as supporting contemporary fine art and documentary photographers, particularly photographers from diverse cultural communities.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 54 grants totaling $692,570. Grant amounts ranged from $5,000 to $50,000, with a median of $10,000. The foundation says organizational awards typically range from $5,000 to $25,000; awards to applicants using a fiscal sponsor typically range from $1,000 to $15,000.
Among the largest 2025 grants were $50,000 to Bronx Documentary Center; $30,000 each to FotoFest International and NYC SALT; and $25,000 each to International Center of Photography, Center for Photography at Woodstock, Eddie Adams Workshop Organization, Museum of Contemporary Photography, United Photo Industries, William Eugene Smith Memorial Fund, and Blue Sky Gallery. The listed purposes were generally support.
The foundation awards grants annually. Applicants may submit one proposal per cycle. The 2027 application portal is scheduled to open January 1 and close March 1; late applications are not accepted. Grantees are to be notified by May 25, with funds sent one to two weeks afterward. Projects beginning before June 1 of the grant year are not considered, and exhibitions opening before October 1 are not considered.
Eligible applicants include U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organizations focused on photography or photography education, as well as U.S. citizens or permanent residents and organizations applying with a U.S. fiscal sponsor. Applications are submitted online. Required materials include an IRS determination letter where applicable, mission statement, organizational history, board list with affiliations, current and most recently completed fiscal-year budgets, a project summary and detailed description, a thorough project budget, a résumé for the project director, and representative images or other media. Applicants must clearly identify the amount requested and list other committed and potential funders. Letters of inquiry are no longer required. The foundation is unlikely to fund an entire project or program, and its filing states that there are no restrictions on awards.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Allan J. Reich as assistant secretary, vice president, and director; Judith Lane as president, executive director, and director; and Anne Wilkes Tucker as chairperson and director.
Phillip & Edith Leonian Foundation is led by Judith Lane, President, Executive Director & Director since 2020 (on filings since 2019); all 3 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Judith Lane
President, Executive Director & Director
President & Executive Director → President, Executive Director & Director, 2020
On filings since 2019
20 hrs/week
$60K (2019) → $60K (2025)
Anne Wilkes Tucker
Chairperson & Director
Chairperson → Chairperson & Director, 2020
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
$20K (2019) → $20K (2025)
Allan J. Reich
Assistant Secretary, Vice President & Director
Assistant Secretary → Assistant Secretary, Vice President & Director, 2020
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
$20K (2019) → $20K (2025)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $60K, to Judith Lane (President, Executive Director, Directo). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Phillip & Edith Leonian Foundation
How much does Phillip & Edith Leonian Foundation give each year?
Phillip & Edith Leonian Foundation gave $693K across 54 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $514K across 42 grants.
What is Phillip & Edith Leonian Foundation's typical grant size?
Phillip & Edith Leonian Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $12,825, across 54 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Phillip & Edith Leonian Foundation that year got $9K on average.
Where does Phillip & Edith Leonian Foundation give grants?
Phillip & Edith Leonian Foundation gives mostly in New York: 58% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Illinois (8%) and Texas (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (14 grants), Houston, TX (3 grants), Chicago, IL (3 grants) and Los Angeles, CA (3 grants).
Does Phillip & Edith Leonian Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 93% of Phillip & Edith Leonian Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (50 of 54) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Phillip & Edith Leonian Foundation's largest grantees?
Phillip & Edith Leonian Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Bronx Documentary Center ($50,000), Fotofest International ($30,000) and NYC Salt ($30,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 16% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Phillip & Edith Leonian Foundation?
Phillip & Edith Leonian Foundation reported $3.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $857K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $444K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Phillip & Edith Leonian Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is to raise awareness of and appreciation for photography and photographers who are U.S. citizens or residents by supporting photographic education, projects, and career development, with an emphasis on documentary photography. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Phillip & Edith Leonian Foundation?
Submit one proposal through the application portal during the annual application period, using the materials described above. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Phillip & Edith Leonian Foundation's EIN?
Phillip & Edith Leonian Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-3204862. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS May 19, 2020)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS June 22, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Phillip & Edith Leonian Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/phillip-and-edith-leonian-foundation-morg_f522a761d80844dba184e76e309574be
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_363204862_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Phillip \& Edith Leonian Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/phillip-and-edith-leonian-foundation-morg_f522a761d80844dba184e76e309574be},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. 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 Phillip & Edith Leonian 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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