Roger and Paula Leyden Foundation
The Roger and Paula Leyden Foundation is a private foundation based in Chicago, Illinois. Its 2025 filing reports grants to charitable organizations, including arts, education, social-service, and community organizations.
Roger and Paula Leyden Foundation at a glance
In short: Roger and Paula Leyden Foundation gave $40K across 18 grants in 2025 (avg $2K), mostly in Florida. 33% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $39,500
- +17.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 18
- +38.5% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $2,194
- -14.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $2,000
- Total assets
- $386,560
- -5.6% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 33% first-time grantees (6 of 18, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Florida (51% 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 Roger and Paula Leyden Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests. It says applications should be written. The filing lists no restrictions on awards.
- Contact
Application contact: Thomas F Ging
Mailing address: 500 W Madison St Suite 1130, Chicago, IL 60661-2562
Phone: (312) 876-2115
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Roger and Paula Leyden Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Florida Repertory Theatre ($6K). Together the top 10 received $31K.
Grant Size Distribution
78 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 78 grants of 78 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 51% of grant dollars went to recipients in Florida, 38% to Illinois, 6% to Pennsylvania, and 5% to Texas.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 18 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Roger and Paula Leyden Foundation open to new grantees?
33%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 6 of 18 grantees (33%) were first-time recipients. With only 18 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. First grants averaged $2K; repeat grants $2K. How we count
Medians: $2K first-time, $2K repeat.
- 50% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 22% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 177% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021–2025). 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 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $27K (2023) to $40K (2025). In 2025 it made 18 grants totaling $40K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Repertory Theatre Fort Myers, FL | Support for Charitable Organization | $6,000 |
| Gulf Coast Symphony Fort Myers, FL | Support for Charitable Organization | $5,000 |
| Center for Enriched Living Riverwood, IL | Support for Charitable Organization | $3,000 |
| John Carroll University University Heights, IL | Support for Charitable Organization | $3,000 |
| Special Equestrians Inc Fort Myers, FL | Support for Charitable Organization | $3,000 |
| North Catholic Foundation Cranberry Township, PA | Support for Charitable Organization | $2,500 |
| The Orion Ensemble Addison, IL | Support for Charitable Organization | $2,500 |
| Chicago Botanic Garden Glencoe, IL | Support for Charitable Organization | $2,000 |
| Kids Inc Amarillo, TX | Support for Charitable Organization | $2,000 |
| The Chicago Lighthouse Chicago, IL | Support for Charitable Organization | $2,000 |
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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 | $386,560 | $18,949 | $48,225 | $39,500 | 18 | $40,229 | $11,978 | $22,671 |
| 2024 | $409,313 | $43,152 | $41,213 | $33,500 | 13 | $34,229 | $36,334 | $22,205 |
| 2023 | $408,520 | $18,396 | $33,947 | $26,500 | 12 | $27,174 | $11,942 | $21,785 |
| 2022 | $421,872 | $12,877 | $39,621 | $32,500 | 17 | $32,515 | $15,754 | $23,428 |
| 2021 | $448,616 | $37,286 | $49,331 | $37,750 | 18 | $40,406 | $20,037 | $24,953 |
| 2020 | $460,661 | $337,840 | $2,285 | — | — | — | $913 | $7,665 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Roger and Paula Leyden Foundation reported a distributable amount of $23K 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
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants show support for a range of charitable organizations. For example, Special Equestrians Inc. says its mission is to provide therapeutic benefits to handicapped citizens through a horseback riding program. Ravinia Festival Association says it seeks to enrich lives through music, education, training, and community engagement. Other recipients describe work in food assistance, support for disadvantaged women, character education, education and opportunity, and services for victims of sexual and domestic violence.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation gave $39,500 through 18 grants. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $6,000, with a median of $2,000. Notable awards included $6,000 to Florida Repertory Theatre, $5,000 to Gulf Coast Symphony, $3,000 each to Center for Enriched Living, John Carroll University, and Special Equestrians Inc., and $2,500 each to North Catholic Foundation and The Orion Ensemble.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Thomas Ging as trustee.
Roger and Paula Leyden Foundation is led by Thomas Ging, Trustee on every filing since 2020 — the only officer listed, and uncompensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Thomas Ging
Trustee
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 Roger and Paula Leyden Foundation
How much does Roger and Paula Leyden Foundation give each year?
Roger and Paula Leyden Foundation gave $40K across 18 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $34K across 13 grants.
What is Roger and Paula Leyden Foundation's typical grant size?
Roger and Paula Leyden Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $2,000, and its average grant was $2,194, across 18 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Roger and Paula Leyden Foundation that year got $2K on average.
Where does Roger and Paula Leyden Foundation give grants?
Roger and Paula Leyden Foundation gives mostly in Florida: 51% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Illinois (38%) and Pennsylvania (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Fort Myers, FL (9 grants).
Does Roger and Paula Leyden Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 18 grants with a stated purpose on Roger and Paula Leyden Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Support for Charitable Organization" (18 grants).
Who are Roger and Paula Leyden Foundation's largest grantees?
Roger and Paula Leyden Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Florida Repertory Theatre ($6,000), Gulf Coast Symphony ($5,000) and Center for Enriched Living ($3,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 35% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Roger and Paula Leyden Foundation?
Roger and Paula Leyden Foundation reported $387K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $40K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $23K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Roger and Paula Leyden Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants show support for a range of charitable organizations. For example, Special Equestrians Inc. says its mission is to provide therapeutic benefits to handicapped citizens through a horseback riding program. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Roger and Paula Leyden Foundation?
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Roger and Paula Leyden Foundation's EIN?
Roger and Paula Leyden Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-4048067. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Roger and Paula Leyden 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
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS April 19, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS April 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS April 12, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 26, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 27, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS June 8, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Roger and Paula Leyden Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Roger and Paula Leyden Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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