The Leonard and Joan Foundation is a private philanthropic organization based in Chicago, Illinois, designated as a 501(c)(3) organization. The foundation has been tax-exempt since September 2009 and operates as a grantmaking foundation supporting charitable causes across the United States.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$6.1M
+12.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$279K
+17.1% YoY
Grant Count
61
-3.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$5K
+20.9% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Leonard and Joan Foundation reported a distributable amount of $282K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation does not have a specified focus on particular subject areas, indicating a broad philanthropic mission. Based on available grantmaking data, the foundation supports Education, Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, and Human Services.
Grantmaking
The foundation makes grants with typical award sizes ranging from $250 to $100,000. Recent financial data shows total giving of $242,167 in 2024, with expenses of $331,000 that same year. The foundation maintains an active grantmaking program, though specific application procedures are not detailed in available sources.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Leonard and Joan Foundation supports a wide range of cities and states across the United States. Primary funding areas include Illinois, New York, and California, with additional support extending to Alabama, Connecticut, and other states including Alaska, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $6,054,514
- Total Revenue: $934,000
- Total Expenses: $331,000
- Total Liabilities: $358,000
- Total Giving: $242,167
The foundation maintains a stable financial position with assets that have grown over time since its establishment in 2009.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $6,054,514 | $5,369,285 | $4,508,359 |
| Revenue | $933,780 | $604,039 | $791,037 |
| Expenses | $331,057 | $288,176 | $262,862 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $245,467 | $197,191 | $232,144 |
| Net Investment Income | $457,905 | $118,480 | $298,142 |
| Distributable Amount | $282,027 | $241,824 | $216,484 |
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
203 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Part I Ln 25 Cash Basis Contr Adjus ($36,560), Season of Concern ($20,000), International Voices Project ($15,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| PART I LN 25 CASH BASIS CONTR ADJUS CHICAGO, IL | PART 1 LN 25 CASH BASIS CONTR ADJ | $36,560 |
| ALBANY PARK THEATER PROJECT CHICAGO, IL | THEATRE PRODUCTIONS | $2,575 |
| ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION CHICAGO, IL | MEDICAL RESEARCH | $2,614 |
| AMERICAN AUTOIMMUNE RELATED DISEASE CLINTON TOWNSHIP, MI | MEDICAL RESEARCH | $2,643 |
| AMERICAN BRAIN TUMOR ASSOCIATION CHICAGO, IL | MEDICAL RESEARCH | $5,225 |
| AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY CHICAGO, IL | MEDICAL RESEARCH | $5,275 |
| AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION FOUN CHICAGO, IL | PUBLIC SUPPORT | $2,588 |
| AMERICAN DIABETES ASSOCIATION MERRIFIELD, VA | MEDICAL RESEARCH | $2,628 |
| AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS CHICAGO, IL | MEDICAL CARE | $5,125 |
| AMERICAN SONGBOOK CARMEL, IN | THEATRE PRODUCTIONS | $1,030 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation's leadership team consists of:
- L. Walter Stearns – President
- Eugene Dizon – Vice President
- Marcela Dizon – Secretary
All leadership members work on a voluntary basis without compensation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| L WALTER STEARNS | PRESIDENT | 6 | — |
| EUGENE DIZON | VICE PRESIDE | 6 | — |
| MARCELA DIZON | SECRETARY | 6 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Leonard and Joan Foundation fund?
The foundation does not have a specified focus on particular subject areas, indicating a broad philanthropic mission. Based on available grantmaking data, the foundation supports Education, Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, and Human Services.
How do I apply for a grant from The Leonard and Joan Foundation?
The foundation makes grants with typical award sizes ranging from $250 to $100,000. Recent financial data shows total giving of $242,167 in 2024, with expenses of $331,000 that same year. The foundation maintains an active grantmaking program, though specific application procedures are not detailed in available sources.
Where does The Leonard and Joan Foundation make grants?
The Leonard and Joan Foundation supports a wide range of cities and states across the United States. Primary funding areas include Illinois, New York, and California, with additional support extending to Alabama, Connecticut, and other states including Alaska, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
What size grants does The Leonard and Joan Foundation award?
In 2024, The Leonard and Joan Foundation awarded 61 grants totaling $279K — an average of about $5K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Leonard and Joan Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Leonard and Joan Foundation reported a distributable amount of $282K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Leonard and Joan Foundation's EIN?
The Leonard and Joan Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-1367670. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Leonard and Joan Foundation'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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