The Leonard and Joan Foundation

CHICAGO, IL EIN: 26-1367670

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

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

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.

Ready to take the next step with The Leonard and Joan Foundation?

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

14states
+6 more states

Cities

ArlingtonAtlantaCarmelChicagoClinton TownshipEvanstonFairfieldGrand RapidsHagerstownHighland ParkIrvineLenexaLos AngelesMadisonMerrifieldMontgomeryNew YorkPalatineStamfordTowson

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.

Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$257K$514K$770K$1M20202021202220232024
Metric202420232022
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

$0$70K$139K$209K$279K32 grants202031 grants202140 grants202263 grants202361 grants2024

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

PART I LN 25 CASH BASIS …$37KSEASON OF CONCERN$20KINTERNATIONAL VOICES PRO…$15KSAVE THE CHILDREN FEDERA…$10KINTERNATIONAL ESSENTIAL …$10KMUSIC THEATER WORKS$10KNATIONAL MULTIPLE SCLERO…$5KAMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY$5KAMERICAN BRAIN TUMOR ASS…$5KAMERICAN NATIONAL RED CR…$5K

Grant Size Distribution

203 grants across all recorded years

199<$50K3$50–100K1$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

No grants recorded for .

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

NameTitleHoursCompensation
L WALTER STEARNSPRESIDENT6
EUGENE DIZONVICE PRESIDE6
MARCELA DIZONSECRETARY6

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Related Funders

Similar funders by location and focus area

Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.

What could you do with The Leonard and Joan Foundation 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