The Levitt Foundation
The Levitt Foundation is a private foundation established in 1950 and based in Potomac, Maryland. The organization operates as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entity dedicated to leveraging the power of free, live music to strengthen communities and transform public spaces. The foundation works nationally to support creative placemaking initiatives that reimagine underused or neglected outdoor public spaces into vibrant community gathering places.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$1.3M
-14.4% YoY
Grant Count
46
-9.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$28K
-5.1% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Levitt Foundation exists to strengthen the social fabric of America by supporting thriving public spaces and ensuring everyone has access to free, high-caliber entertainment. The foundation believes that creative placemaking—transforming challenged public spaces such as neglected parks, vacant downtown lots, and former brownfields into vibrant, music-filled community hubs—is essential to healthy communities.
Primary funding interests include:
- Arts & Culture — particularly performing arts and music
- Creative Placemaking — community-driven efforts that transform public spaces
- Free Outdoor Concerts — supporting free, live music experiences in community settings
- Community Development — projects that build social capital and foster community engagement
- Music Ecosystems — field-building initiatives and research on music's impact in community development
Grantmaking
The foundation makes grants through several primary programs:
How to Apply
**
Ready to take the next step with The Levitt Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation provides support nationally. Primary grantmaking reaches organizations in Maryland, Iowa, and California, which account for 62% of all grants. Grantmaking extends across 12 states.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Income (as of 2024):
- Total Assets: $7,209,151
- Total Revenues: $1,336,067
- Total Expenses: $1,328,369
- Total Liabilities: $0
Historical Asset Growth: Assets have grown from $4 million in 2011 to $7.2 million in 2024.
Recent Financial Activity (2024):
- Total grants and contributions received: $350,000
- Investment income and dividends: $130,631
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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
147 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Jewish Federation of Greater Washington ($335,000), Curebound ($300,000), Smithsonian Institution ($110,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ADAS ISRAEL CONGREGATION WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL SUPPORT | $1,000 |
| ALEF BET MONTESSORI SCHOOL BETHESDA, MD | GENERAL SUPPORT | $500 |
| AMERICAN ISRAEL EDUCATION FOUNDATION WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL SUPPORT | $75,000 |
| AURORA HEALTH CARE FOUNDATION MILWAUKEE, WI | GENERAL SUPPORT | $50 |
| BEIT T'SHUVAH LOS ANGELES, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $100 |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF CENTRAL IOWA DES MOINES, IA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $500 |
| CHABAD SHUL OF POTOMAC POTOMAC, MD | GENERAL SUPPORT | $26,000 |
| CHARLES E SMITH JEWISH DAY SCHOOL ROCKVILLE, MD | GENERAL SUPPORT | $5,180 |
| CUREBOUND SAN DIEGO, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $300,000 |
| DES MOINES ART CENTER DES MOINES, IA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $75,200 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Key executives include:
- Sharon Yazowski — Chief Executive Officer
- Kathy Eberly Ovitt — Co-Chair
- Vanessa Silberman — Executive Vice President
- Nicole Saint McGaffey — Art Director
The foundation is governed by 3 officers and trustees and employs 20 staff members.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JEANNE LEVITT | SECRETARY | 2 | — |
| RANDALL LEVITT | PRESIDENT/TREASURER | 2 | — |
| MARK LEVITT | VICE PRESIDENT/ASST. SECRE | 2 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In November 2023, the Levitt Foundation announced a significant strategic shift: the foundation will spend down its assets by 2041, substantially increasing its ability to support free outdoor concerts and vibrant music ecosystems across America. This decision reflects the foundation's commitment to expanding grantmaking through new programs, partnerships, and field-building initiatives.
The Votes Are In! Announcing the Levitt Music Series Grants FinalistsThe foundation is broadening its investment in research demonstrating the impact of music in community development and place attachment, including how Levitt programs build social capital and contribute to economic vitality.
The Votes Are In! Announcing the Levitt Music Series Grants FinalistsRecent grant announcements include the selection of 66 grant recipients to present free outdoor music series across the country, and the launch of multi-year $120,000 matching grants to strengthen communities through free outdoor concerts.
Congratulations to the 2026 Festival Grantees! - LevittFrequently Asked Questions
What does The Levitt Foundation fund?
The Levitt Foundation exists to strengthen the social fabric of America by supporting thriving public spaces and ensuring everyone has access to free, high-caliber entertainment. The foundation believes that creative placemaking—transforming challenged public spaces such as neglected parks, vacant downtown lots, and former brownfields into vibrant, music-filled community hubs—is essential to healthy communities. Primary funding interests include: • **Arts & Culture** — particularly performing a…
How do I apply for a grant from The Levitt Foundation?
The foundation makes grants through several primary programs: **Levitt Venues** — Long-term partnerships with local nonprofits to transform underused public spaces into thriving free concert venues and citywide cultural assets. **Levitt AMP Music Series** — A matching grant opportunity bringing free, live music to communities. **Grant Characteristics:** • Typical award range: $50,000–$500,000 • The foundation selects grantees rather than accepting unsolicited proposals • Recent annual giving: $…
Where does The Levitt Foundation make grants?
The foundation provides support nationally. Primary grantmaking reaches organizations in Maryland, Iowa, and California, which account for 62% of all grants. Grantmaking extends across 12 states.
What size grants does The Levitt Foundation award?
In 2024, The Levitt Foundation awarded 46 grants totaling $1.3M — an average of about $28K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is The Levitt Foundation's EIN?
The Levitt Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 42-6052427. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Levitt Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
The Abell Foundation Inc
BALTIMORE, MD
Assets
$296.4M
Grants
391
Total Given
$13.4M
Rotary Club of Columbia Patuxent
COLUMBIA, MD
Assets
$376K
Grants
1
Total Given
$12K
American Federation for Children Growth
COLUMBIA, MD
Assets
$9.4M
Grants
11
Total Given
$2.4M
Mayfield Scholastic Ltd
BALTIMORE, MD
Assets
—
Grants
1
Total Given
$38K
Baltimore Curriculum Project Inc
BALTIMORE, MD
Assets
$17.3M
Grants
6
Total Given
$2.7M
Government Employees' Benefit
HANOVER, MD
Assets
$3K
Grants
43
Total Given
$108K
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with The Levitt 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
Go from researching The Levitt Foundation to a real strategy.