The Tom and Frances Leach
The Tom and Frances Leach Foundation is a private foundation based in Bismarck, North Dakota. It supports nonprofit organizations working to sustain vibrant, healthy communities, with grantmaking focused substantially on the Bismarck-Mandan area and Western North Dakota.
Key facts about The Tom and Frances Leach
In short: The Tom and Frances Leach gave $2.0M across 71 grants in 2025 (avg $28K), mostly in North Dakota. 20% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 45-6012703
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $2,015,000
- Grants made (2025)
- 71
- Average grant
- $28,380
- Median grant
- $10,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 20% first-time grantees (14 of 69, 2025)
- Total assets
- $25,258,999
- Primary geography
- North Dakota (92% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- Submit an online application and required materials. Full details ↓
- Deadline
- June 30; awards are made annually in November.
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$25.3M
+3.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.0M
+3.3% YoY
Grant Count
71
+2.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$28K
+0.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Tom and Frances Leach reported a distributable amount of $1.6M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is The Tom and Frances Leach open to new grantees?
20%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 14 of 69 grantees (20%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $34K; repeat grants $28K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 72% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 44% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 134% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation states that it seeks to sustain vibrant, healthy communities where people have opportunities and means to achieve their dreams and make a positive difference. It supports organizations pursuing significant, lasting change through responses to current needs or solutions addressing the root causes of economic and societal challenges.
Its stated areas include education, health and science, human services, and arts and humanities. In education, it supports opportunities from early childhood through secondary school, including high-performing schools and evidence-based programs. Its health and science priorities include improving access to medical care, supporting mental health education and services, and funding projects related to specific diseases at hospitals and clinics.
Grantees illustrate the range of organizations supported. For example, the Dakota Children’s Advocacy Center describes its mission as providing a safe, family-friendly environment that promotes hope, health, and healing for traumatized children and their families. The Anne Carlsen Center says its mission is to make the world more inclusive, where independence is a gift to all. The University of Jamestown describes its mission as developing wholeness in students through academic excellence, professional preparation, and its Christian tradition.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 71 grants totaling $2,015,000. Grants ranged from $3,000 to $250,000, with a median of $10,000. Examples included $250,000 to Mountrail County Medical Center for an MRI and $250,000 to Ronald McDonald House Charities for program support for the Care Mobile. Other large awards included $150,000 to Bismarck State College Foundation for the Bavendick Athletic Center and $120,000 to Central Dakota Humane Society for a new dog building project.
Review Cycle
** June 30; awards are made annually in November.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Tom and Frances Leach
Ready to take the next step with The Tom and Frances Leach?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation says a significant portion of its grantmaking is focused on the Bismarck-Mandan area and Western North Dakota. In 2025, North Dakota recipients accounted for 92% of grant dollars; recipients in Colorado accounted for 3%, the District of Columbia 2%, and Indiana 1%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 71 itemized 2025 grant dollars.
States
Cities
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 2025
Grant Size Distribution
324 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| MOUNTRAIL COUNTY MEDICAL CNTR INC Stanley, ND | MOUNTRAIL COUNTY MEDICAL CTR MRI | $250,000 |
| RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES Bismarck, ND | PROGRAM SUPPORT FOR THE CARE MOBILE | $250,000 |
| BISMARCK STATE COLLEGE FOUNDATION Bismarck, ND | BAVENDICK ATHLETIC CENTER | $150,000 |
| CENTRAL DAKOTA HUMANE SOCIETY Mandan, ND | NEW DOG BUILDING PROJECT | $120,000 |
| HOPE MANOR FOUNDATION Bismarck, ND | HOPE MANOR'S OPERATIONAL SUSTAINABIL | $75,000 |
| WILLISTON STATE COLLEGE FOUNDATION Williston, ND | SUPPORT HEALTHCARE TRAINING FACILITY | $60,000 |
| BISMARCK CANCER CENTER FOUNDATION Bismarck, ND | STRUCTURAL IMPR TO PATIENT FACILITY | $50,000 |
| GREAT PLAINS FOOD BANK Fargo, ND | HARVESTING HOPE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN | $50,000 |
| STATE HISTORICAL SOC OF ND FDN Bismarck, ND | SUPPORT MILITARY GALLERY | $50,000 |
| THEODORE ROOSEVELT MEDORA FDN Medora, ND | FUND NEW BUILDING TO HOUSE EMPLOYEES | $50,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $25,258,999 | $3,369,634 | $2,566,029 | $2,015,000 |
| 2024 | $24,455,205 | $4,135,472 | $2,511,698 | $1,951,000 |
| 2023 | $22,831,072 | $2,843,922 | $1,869,068 | $1,510,000 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $25,258,999 | $24,455,205 | $22,831,072 |
| Revenue | $3,369,634 | $4,135,472 | $2,843,922 |
| Expenses | $2,566,029 | $2,511,698 | $1,869,068 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,170,140 | $2,089,809 | $1,592,782 |
| Net Investment Income | $2,729,566 | $3,449,817 | $2,035,188 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,619,656 | $1,477,174 | $1,310,726 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS October 29, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 3, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 18, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS June 6, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS June 4, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 28, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Todd Steinwand as president; David L. Goodin as vice president; Ann Reich as secretary/treasurer; and William L. Daniel, Brian R. Bjella, and Kate Black as directors.
The Tom and Frances Leach is led by Todd Steinwand, President since 2025 (on filings since 2020); all 6 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Todd Steinwand
President
Vice President → President, 2025
On filings since 2020
$5K (2020) → $5K (2025)
Brian R. Bjella
Director
On filings since 2020
$5K (2020) → $5K (2025)
William L. Daniel
Director
President → Director, 2025
On filings since 2020
$5K (2020) → $5K (2025)
Kate Black
Director
On filings since 2024
$5K (2025)
Ann Reich
Secretary & Treasurer
Director → Secretary & Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2020
$5K (2021) → $5K (2025)
David L. Goodin
Vice President
Director → Vice President, 2025
On filings since 2020
$5K (2020) → $5K (2025)
Former officers (2)
- Former: Don Clement (2020–2024) — Secretary & Treasurer
- Former: John T. Roswick (2020–2021) — Secretary
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
Contact
Application contact: Tami Helmers
Mailing address: 1720 Burnt Boat Dr Ste 206, Bismarck, ND 58502
Phone: (701) 255-0479
Email: leachfoundation@midconetwork.com
Website: https://leachfoundation.org
Frequently asked questions about The Tom and Frances Leach
How much does The Tom and Frances Leach give each year?
The Tom and Frances Leach gave $2.0M across 71 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $2.0M across 69 grants.
What is The Tom and Frances Leach's typical grant size?
The Tom and Frances Leach's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $28,380, across 71 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Tom and Frances Leach that year got $34K on average.
Where does The Tom and Frances Leach give grants?
The Tom and Frances Leach gives mostly in North Dakota: 92% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Bismarck, ND (36 grants), Fargo, ND (8 grants), Mandan, ND (6 grants) and Medora, ND (2 grants).
Does The Tom and Frances Leach give general operating support?
Occasionally: 6% of The Tom and Frances Leach's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (4 of 71) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Tom and Frances Leach's largest grantees?
The Tom and Frances Leach's largest 2025 grantees include Mountrail County Medical CNTR Inc ($250,000), Ronald McDonald House Charities ($250,000) and Bismarck State College Foundation ($160,000 across 2 grants), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 33% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Tom and Frances Leach?
The Tom and Frances Leach reported $25.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.2M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.6M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Tom and Frances Leach fund?
The foundation states that it seeks to sustain vibrant, healthy communities where people have opportunities and means to achieve their dreams and make a positive difference. It supports organizations pursuing significant, lasting change through responses to current needs or solutions addressing the root causes of economic and societal challenges. Its stated areas include education, health and science, human services, and arts and humanities. In education, it supports opportunities from early ch…
How do I apply for a grant from The Tom and Frances Leach?
Submit an online application and required materials. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Tom and Frances Leach's EIN?
The Tom and Frances Leach's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 45-6012703. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching The Tom and Frances Leach by hand.
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