Lauren B. Leichtman and Arthur E. Levine Family Foundation

OVERVIEW: This funder prioritizes grantmaking in the Los Angeles area. Education is a strong funding priority. 

IP TAKE: The foundation keeps a low-profile and does not provide clear grant guidelines for grant seekers. Unfortunately, this means that networking is the best way for grantseekers to get on this funder’s radar.

PROFILE:  The Lauren B. Leichtman and Arthur E. Levine Family Foundation was founded by finance couple, Lauren Leichtman and Arthur Levine, who, in 1984, co-founded Levine Leichtman Capital Partners, an independent investment firm that invests in middle market companies. The firm is headquartered in Los Angeles, which also serves as an important site of philanthropy for the couple.

The couple do their grantmaking through the Lauren B. Leichtman and Arthur E. Levine Family Foundation, a low-profile charitable organization that made grants of around $1 million in a recent fiscal year.

Grants for K-12 Education

Through their foundation, the couple supports education in Los Angeles. The couple has helped fund Alliance for College-Ready Public Schools, a network of public charter high schools and middle schools in the L.A. area. A few years ago, Levine and Leichtman gave a $1 million pledge to Southwestern Law School to create the Lauren B. Leichtman and Arthur E. Levine Family Foundation Scholarship Endowment Fund. Leichtman is a trustee of her alma mater. Lavine has also supported his alma mater, UCLA. Another grantee in this area includes the CSUN Foundation.

Grants for Community Development

The couple also supports health and human services through their foundation. Past grantees include Aviva Family & Children's Services, Maple Counseling Center, Planned Parenthood Los Angeles, and Friends & Helpers Foundation, whose goal is to "provide support, education and encouragement for domestic abuse victims who have fled to a shelter or group home for safety."

Grants for Jewish Causes

Levine and Leichtman also support Jewish causes and the arts in Los Angeles through their foundation. Past grantees include Wilshire Boulevard Temple, Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, and LA Opera. The couple supports Beverly Hills, Community Charitable Foundation, as well.

Important Grant Details

Many of the foundation's grants are under $50,000 but have gone as high as $250,000 recently. Information about the foundation is mostly ascertained from tax records. Recent records indicate an address where applications can be directed. Specific guidelines, though, are hard to come by. 

PEOPLE:

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CONTACT:

The Lauren B. Leichtman and Arthur E. Levine Family Foundation does not provide clear grant guidelines. A recent tax form, though, indicates that applications should be addressed to the following:

Teri McClure
355 N. Maple Dr., #240
Beverly Hills, CA 90120

310-275-5335
tmcclure@llcp.com