Max and Anna Levinson Foundation

OVERVIEW: The Levinson Foundation is known for its environmental grantmaking, but it has recently expanded its focus to include indigenous rights, criminal justice reform, immigrants and refugees, and animals. It also supports many Jewish organizations in the U.S. and Israel. 

IP TAKE: While this is a very open-minded funder, it is not an accessible one. This low-profile funder maintains a sparse website, which restricts transparency and information about the specifics of its grantmaking. It may also keep a low-profile given it’s small size, so that it’s not overwhelmed by contact. That said, this is a great partner to have across several progressive areas of giving. Additionally, the foundation supports a broad range of organizations, ranging from large NGOs and coalitions to small, community-led groups. Grantseekers will have to put in the time for this one.

PROFILE: The Max and Anna Levinson Foundation was established in 1958 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. This is a small family foundation that maintains a low-profile, limiting information about its specific grantmaking practices. Recent grantmaking appears to focus on indigenous rights, climate change, animal welfare, immigrants and refugees, criminal justice reform and global human rights. 

Grants for Human Rights, Racial Justice and Indigenous Rights

The Levinson Foundation has supported many organizations involved in the promotion and protection of the rights of indigenous groups in the U.S.. The foundation does not name specific goals for its grantmaking in this area so that it may consider a wider range of projects to fund. One recent grantee, Apache Stronghold, organizes to defend cultural sites and build stronger Native American Communities in the San Carlos, Arizona area. Another grantee, Indigenous LifeWays, runs social justice programs for youth and other members of New Mexico’s Native American communities. Other grantees involved in indigenous rights include the American Indian Law Center, the Center for Indigenous Rights and Development, the Indigenous Women’s Network and the Oglala Lakota Legal Rights Fund. 

Human rights grantmaking predominantly focuses on indigenous groups in the U.S., but a few global organizations have also received funding in recent years. One grantee, Stop Exploitation Now, provides support services to victims of exploitation and runs awareness and safety campaigns in developing nations. Other past human rights grantees include the Center for Human Rights Legal Action, the Center for Victims of Torture, the Global Fund for Women, MADRE and Rabbis for Human Rights. 

Grants for Climate Change and Clean Energy

According to tax filings, climate change and clean energy appear to be major focus areas for the Levinson Foundation. While Levinson has not outlined its strategies for giving in this space, it will consider a range of projects to fund. Past climate change grantees include the San Juan Citzen’s Alliance’s Campaign for Eco Defense and Diné Citizens Against Ruining Our Environment, which has led campaigns against fracking in Colorado. 

Grants for Animal Welfare and Wildlife

The Levinson Foundation has invested in organizations that address wildlife conservation and animal welfare. One grantee, the Center for Biological Diversity, conducts public awareness campaigns and policy development work to protect endangered species. Recent grants have also gone to the Lobo Coalition, which campaigns to save the endangered Mexican gray wolf, and the Orangutan Foundation International, which works to save the orangutan’s habitats in tropical forests. 

Grants for Immigrants and Refugees

The rights of immigrants and refugees in the United States appears to be an emerging area of interest for the Levinson Foundation. Many of it’s grants in this space appear to center on children and border crisis response. One recent grant supported the Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights Border Crisis Response program in Chicago. Another grantee, No More Deaths, is a coalition of community groups that aims to prevent border-crossing deaths. 

Grants for Criminal Justice Reform

Criminal justice reform appears to be another area of emerging interest for the Levinson Foundation. In recent years, the foundation has given to Mothers Against Police Brutality, a national coalition of parents that promotes civil rights and police reform, and Restorative Justice for Oakland Youth, which aims to prevent youth incarceration by introducing restorative justice programs to schools, communities and correctional programs. 

Grants for Jewish Causes

The Levinson Foundation also supports many Jewish organizations in the U.S. and abroad. U.S. grantees include New York City’s Shorefront Jewish Community Council, the Yivo Institute for Jewish Research, the AJC Seattle Jewish Film Festival, the American Jewish World Service and the If Not Now movement, which opposes Israel’s occupation of Palestine. Global Jewish organizations that have received funding include Poland’s Krakow Jewish Community Center, the Israel/Palestine Center for Research and Information and the Israel Union for Environmental Defense. 

Important Grant Details:

The Max and Anna Levinson Foundation makes about $1 million in grants a year, with an average grant size of about $15,000. This funder supports a broad range of organizations, including NGOs, national coalitions and many smaller grassroots groups. For additional information about past grantees, see the foundation’s webpage

The Levinson Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals for funding. General inquiries may be directed to foundation staff via email or telephone at 505-995-8802. A mailing address is provided below. 

PEOPLE:

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CONTACT:

The Max and Anna Levinson Foundation

P.O. Box 6309

Santa Fe, NM 87502-6309

(505) 995-8802