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Richard and Carol Leonard Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

Richard and Carol Leonard Foundation

Its FY2025 filing reports that it accepted unsolicited grant applications.

$35k
Granted FY2025still arriving
18
Grants FY2025still arriving
8
States reached
$16k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
05Through PlinthRead
01What it funds
0196% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2020 to 2025.

Food & Nutrition$22kArts & Culture$22kHuman Services$15kHealth$5kEnvironment$3kEducation$3kYouth Development$1kAnimals$1kOther$0
02FY2025 · 18 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2025

  • Under $10k17 grants · $19k
  • $10k–50k1 grant · $16k
$1,200
Median grant
8
States reached
$660k
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
ELGIN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA$15,900
NORTHERN ILLINOIS FOOD BANK$3,000
FOOD FOR GREATER ELGIN$3,000
MISERICORDIA HOME$2,000
ST JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL$1,800
THE SALVATION ARMY$1,700
DENTAL LIFELINE NETWORK$1,200
NORTH CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY$1,200
WHITMAN COLLEGE SCIENCE DIVISION$1,200
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN FOUNDATION$800
RIDGES SANCTUARY$600
WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT$500
Individual grant recipient$500
WORLD WILDLIFE FUND$500
NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION$400
02The need
03

Does the money reach high-need areas?

Each grant placed by the hardship in its grantee’s ZIP, against the area’s typical level.

show:

Its human-services grants (FY23–25, $6k) land where the poverty rate runs at 13%, against an area that typically sits at 10%. 90% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 10%WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT: $500 → 14%MISERICORDIA HOME: $2k → 14%CHARITY NAVIGATOR: $300 → 7%WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT: $500 → 14%MISERICORDIA HOME: $2k → 14%CHARITY NAVIGATOR: $300 → 7%MISERICORDIA HOME: $600 → 14%0%20%40%50%more need →
grant to an above-average-need area below average· circle size = grant amount
How this is measured
Matched: human-services grants are those whose grantee’s IRS cause code is Human Services. Placed by people below the poverty line in the grantee’s ZIP, averaged from the tracts in that ZIP.

Which US states its grants reach

WA
IL
WI
NJ
CO
TN
DC
FL
How this is measured
US grants placed by each grantee’s ZIP, which can differ from where services are delivered. Need from public data (U.S. Census/ACS, CDC PLACES, Eviction Lab, USDA), shown as context about the area, never attributed to the funder’s giving.
04

Where the work is directed

The same grants placed two ways: where each recipient sits, and where its stated purpose sends the money.

About 10% of Richard and Carol Leonard Foundation’s grant dollars are earmarked for a different county than the recipient’s own address.

Richard and Carol Leonard Foundationlessmore of its giving
Placed by recipient address
How this is measured
Recipient view: each grant at its grantee’s ZIP, mapped to a county. Directed view: each grant at the county its stated purpose names, falling back to the recipient’s county when the purpose names no place; US grants only. A county shows only if it carries the top 95% of that view’s dollars. Purposes are read from the funder’s own 990 grant descriptions.
03Its grantees
repeat funding

Who it funds again

Organizations funded in more than one year, against those funded once.

91%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$68k · 16 repeat orgs$7k to everyone else

Grantees it renews have grown median revenue +5% since the first grant, against -50% for those funded once.

16 repeat relationships: 14 still active in FY2025, 2 since wound down; 4 grantees were first funded in FY2025 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

16
2

Total granted

$68k
$2k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+5%
-50%

Still filing today

88%
50%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2025, 86% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $5k went to new ones.

50%100%’20’21’22’23’24’25
RenewedFirst-time

Where new relationships form · theme of each grantee’s first grant

’20’21’22’23’24’25
Human ServicesAnimalsArts & CultureFood & NutritionHealthYouth DevelopmentOther
How this is measured
First-time means a grantee’s first year in the filing window; renewed means funded in an earlier year too. The renewed share climbs naturally as a portfolio matures, so the signal is a year that bucks it (a wave of new grantees). The earliest year is left-censored: relationships that predate the data read as new. Theme is the grantee’s IRS cause.

Backed again, and grew

  • ES
    ELGIN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ASSOCIATION
    3× · 2023–2025 · $21k · revenue +29%
  • FF
    FOOD FOR GREATER ELGIN INC
    6× · 2020–2025 · $12k · revenue +71%
  • MH
    MISERICORDIA HOME
    3× · 2023–2025 · $5k · revenue +43%

Funded once

  • SJ
    ST JUDE HOSPITAL
    one grant, 2024 · $1k
  • GB
    GAIL BORDEN PUBLIC LIBRARY DISTRICT FOUNDATION
    one grant, 2022 · $750 · revenue -50%
How this is measured

Repeat means funded in two or more distinct years. Growth and survival are read from each grantee’s own subsequent IRS filings.

04Its field

Closest unfunded matches

The nonprofits that most resemble its grantees but are not funded by it, scored along the direction from the rest of the field toward the portfolio. A resemblance in what they say they do, not a recommendation.

1
Lincoln Park Zoological Society

Lincoln park zoo is dedicated to connecting people with nature by providing a free, family-oriented wildlife experience in the heart of chicago and by advancing the highest quality of animal care, horticulture, education, science and…

Animals
2
Wildearth Guardians

Wildearth guardians works to protect and restore the wildlife, wild places, wild rivers, and health of the american west.

Unclassified
3
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation

To sustain, restore, and enhance the nation's fish, wildlife, plants, and habitats.

Animals
4
Environmental Investigation Agency

To establish and promote programs to protect the global climate, forests, wildlife and the natural environment, through research, advocacy, and investigation.

International
5
Chicago Zoological Society

To inspire conservation leadership by connecting people with wildlife and nature.

Animals
6
Food & Water Watch

Food & water watch conducts extensive research and public education to ensure the food and water we consume is safe, accessible and sustainably produced. so we can all enjoy and trust in what we eat and drink, we help people take charge of…

Food & Nutrition
7
Michigan Humane Society

To improve and save lives through compassionate care, community engagement and advocacy for animals.

Animals
8
National Public Radio Inc

National public radio, inc. ("npr") works collaboratively with member public radio station licensees ("member stations") to create a more informed public, one that is challenged and invigorated by a deeper understanding and appreciation of…

Arts & Culture
9
Wildlife Conservation Network Inc

Connect conservationists and supporters, deploy resources to the field, provide conservationists with tools and support they need to succeed.

Animals
10
The Water Research Foundation

The purpose of the water research foundation (wrf) is a definitive research organization to advance the science of all things water to better meet the evolving needs of its subscribers and the water sector. to engage exclusively in…

Environment
11
Sacramento Zoological Society

The sacramento zoo inspires appreciation, respect and a connection with wildlife and nature through education, recreation and conservation.

Animals
12
American Water Works Association

To promote public health, safety, and welfare through the improvement of the quality and quantity of drinking water and the development and furtherance of understanding of the problems relating thereto.

Public Benefit
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Wounded Warrior Project Inc; the most unlike its peers is Animal House Shelter Inc. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
05the grantee network

17 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2025.

Each grant beside the grantee’s revenue from every source, year by year.

How this is measured

Counted here: distinct organizations funded across 2017 to 2025, not grant rows in a single year, so this will not match the grant count on the cover. 17 of the 22 grantees resolved in that span have returns of their own we could reconcile.

Each grantee is resolved to its own IRS returns. Association, dated; never a causal claim.

0
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
1
Early backer (in before they grew)
17/17
Grantees still filing
8/17
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

FOOD FOR GREATER ELGIN INC: $11,530 · Food & NutritionFOOD FOR GREATER ELGIN INCNORTHERN ILLINOIS FOOD BANK: $10,505 · Food & NutritionNORTHERN ILLINOIS FOOD BANKELGIN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ASSOCIATION: $20,500 · Arts & CultureELGIN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ASSOCIAT…LAKE COUNTY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: $1,400 · Arts & CultureLAKE COUNTY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRATHE SALVATION ARMY: $9,230 · OtherTHE SALVATION ARMYWHITMAN COLLEGE SCIENCE DIVISION: $1,200 · OtherWHITMAN COLLEGE SCIENCE D…NORTH CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY: $1,200 · OtherNORTH CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBR…ST JUDE HOSPITAL: $1,000 · OtherST JUDE HOSPITALIndividual grant recipient: $1,000 · OtherIndividual grant recipien…NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION: $800 · OtherWORLD WILDLIFE FUND INC: $1,000 · OtherWORLD WILDLIFE FUND INCUNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN FOUNDATION: $800 · OtherGAIL BORDEN PUBLIC LIBRARY DISTRICT FOUNDATION: $750 · OtherMISERICORDIA HOME: $4,600 · Human ServicesMISERICOR…WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT INC: $1,000 · Human ServicesWOUNDED W…Charity Navigator: $600 · Human ServicesCharity N…DENTAL LIFELINE NETWORK: $2,200 · HealthST JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL INC: $1,800 · HealthTHE RIDGES SANCTUARY INC: $1,100 · AnimalsANIMAL HOUSE SHELTER INC: $800 · AnimalsTREE HOUSE HUMANE SOCIETY INC: $450 · AnimalsBOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF THE DUNDEE TOWNSHIP: $1,400 · Youth Development
Food & Nutrition$22,035Arts & Culture$21,900Other$16,980Human Services$6,200Health$4,000Animals$2,350Youth Development$1,400

Each grantee by its size and the funder’s share of it; top left is load-bearing

25%50%75%100%$1.0M$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetELGIN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ASSOCIATION: $20,500 over 3y, 0.7% of budgetFOOD FOR GREATER ELGIN INC: $11,530 over 6y, 0.0% of budgetNORTHERN ILLINOIS FOOD BANK: $10,505 over 5y, 0.0% of budgetMISERICORDIA HOME: $4,600 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetDENTAL LIFELINE NETWORK: $2,200 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetST JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL INC: $1,800 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetLAKE COUNTY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: $1,400 over 2y, 0.8% of budgetBOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF THE DUNDEE TOWNSHIP: $1,400 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetTHE RIDGES SANCTUARY INC: $1,100 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetWORLD WILDLIFE FUND INC: $1,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetWOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT INC: $1,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetANIMAL HOUSE SHELTER INC: $800 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetNATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION: $800 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetUNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN FOUNDATION: $800 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetGAIL BORDEN PUBLIC LIBRARY DISTRICT FOUNDATION: $750 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetCharity Navigator: $600 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetTREE HOUSE HUMANE SOCIETY INC: $450 over 2y, 0.0% of budget
Grantee by grantee: a decade per organization, before and after funding

A decade per grantee: revenue shaded, grants as bars, all rows on one timeline.

Co-funders

Grantmakers whose grantees overlap with this funder’s far more than size alone predicts. Closer means stronger alignment; arcs show where they also fund each other. Here they form a tightly interlocked group: most of these funders back each other's grantees too.

Arthur J Gallagher Fo…The Chicago Community…Jpmorgan Chase Founda…National Philanthropi…The Pfizer Foundation…Charities Aid Foundat…The Bank of America C…American Online Givin…Donor Advised Charita…Fidelity Investments …Amazonsmile Foundation
Arthur J Gallagher FoundationIL14.3× affinity5 shared granteesties to 10 of 10Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: Arthur J Gallagher Foundation · The Chicago Community Trust · Jpmorgan Chase Foundation · National Philanthropic Trust · The Pfizer Foundation Inc · Charities Aid Foundation America · The Bank of America Charitable Foundation Inc · American Online Giving Foundation Inc · Donor Advised Charitable Giving Inc · Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund · Amazonsmile Foundation

How this is measured
Affinity is a Gamma-Poisson posterior co-funding rate, re-centered on the typical rate, so thin evidence shrinks toward no signal. Overlap is association, not proof of shared intent.

How much its grantees rely on government

Each dot is one organization Richard and Carol Leonard Foundation funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from Richard and Carol Leonard Foundation. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 10%0%1%3%5%funder's share of their income ↑0%10%20%30%40%share of the org’s income from government →median 0%
  • Wounded Warrior Project Inc: 0% of income from government
no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
1get no government money at all
6report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
0rely on government for over half their income
⤢ axis zoomed · 0–40%
typical government reliance, FY20–25
How this is measured
Government income is each org’s traced federal awards (USASpending grants and contracts) plus state payments (open checkbooks) as a share of its total revenue (IRS Form 990); the self-reported government-grant line (990 line 1e) is carried for cross-check: a grantee that reports government grants we could not trace to a source is left off the chart rather than shown as receiving none. An association, not a claim that a grant caused the public funding. Coverage is precision-first, a floor rather than a census; state records exist for 9 states, so a grantee outside them shows no state figure (dimmed) rather than a false zero. Federal award amounts are obligations, which can span years, so a single-year share is indicative. 990 filings lag 12 to 24 months.
05Through Plinth

Warm introductions · Powered by PlinthPlus

How do I get to Richard and Carol Leonard Foundation?

Find your warmest path to Richard and Carol Leonard Foundation through trustees and officers whose names appear on both boards. Search for your organization and Plinth traces the shortest route it can evidence.

Each link is a name appearing on two organizations’ public IRS 990 filings, matched on that name and, where the filings support it, on location. A same-state match has geographic support, which is a second matching feature rather than confirmation that the two are one person; a cross-state one is the likeliest to be two people who share a name. Every hop shows its tier, low-confidence and distant paths are held back rather than guessed, and it is worth confirming the person before you use the introduction.

On method. Every financial figure here is read from IRS e-file XML, the funder’s own 990/990-PF, and from the multi-year returns of the 22 grantees we resolved, each linked to its source. Grantee outcomes are each organization’s own program-service reporting (Form 990, Part III), read as association with funding, never as caused by it. Low-confidence name matches are suppressed rather than guessed. How we build these →

How this is measured
Each figure carries one of six labels. Filed is what the funder reported on its return. Official is another government record about an organization, such as a federal award or a charity register, joined by name where no shared identifier exists. Resolved is an identity we worked out where the filing named a recipient without an EIN, kept only above a measured confidence threshold. Computed is arithmetic over those, like themes, portfolio clusters and co-funder strength. Context is a statistic about a place rather than about an organization, which is what the need overlay is: it describes the area a grantee’s address sits in, not where its work lands. Inferred is drawn by a model from text, like the partnerships read out of public news and organization websites. Each is labeled where it appears.

Generated from the IRS Form 990-PF e-file return for fiscal year 2025, released 2025. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

Source object · view filing

Play a game based on Richard and Carol Leonard’s filings →

More from the funding graph

The unnamed billions
grants reported with no recipient in the public record
The regranting layer
51% of grant dollars land in the regranting layer
The DAF merry-go-round
$9.7B circulates between donor-advised funds
The endowment market
who holds foundation money, and what just moved
The camps
funders cluster by geography, not ideology
By state
where grant money is based, and what stays home