The Viola Fund

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1,100,000 - $2,200,000
• Success Rate: 12% for new applicants
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: Variable (grants have ranged from $30,000 to $1,000,000)
• Geographic Focus: Multi-state (CA, CT, DC, FL, IL, LA, MA, MN, NJ, NY)

Contact Details

Address: c/o Citrin Cooperman, 50 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10020
Phone: 212-832-0400

Note: This is a private family foundation that does not appear to have a public website or published contact email.

Overview

The Viola Fund was established in May 1987 as a private family foundation based in New York. With assets of approximately $20 million, the foundation distributes between $1.1 million and $2.2 million annually in charitable grants. The foundation is managed by three family trustees—Abby Leigh, Rebecca Leigh, and David Leigh—who serve without compensation. The Viola Fund supports a diverse portfolio of causes including arts and culture, education, environment, health, and human services. Operating as a traditional private family foundation, it makes grants to organizations across multiple states, with particular concentration in New York and other major metropolitan areas. The foundation has demonstrated consistent commitment to its mission areas over its nearly 40-year history, making between 18-27 grants annually.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Viola Fund operates a single discretionary grantmaking program without separate named grant streams. Grant amounts vary significantly based on the project and organization, with documented grants ranging from $30,000 to $1,000,000.

Application Method: No public application process; grants appear to be made at trustee discretion.

Priority Areas

• Arts and Culture: Support for major cultural institutions including opera and performing arts
• Education: Funding for educational institutions and programs
• Environment: Environmental conservation and advocacy organizations
• Health: Health-related initiatives and institutions
• Human Services: Support for social service organizations

Geographic Reach

The foundation has supported organizations in the following states: California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, and New York. Cities that have received support include Albany, Brooklyn, Chicago, and New Orleans.

What They Don't Fund

As a private foundation without published guidelines, specific exclusions are not documented. However, the foundation's focus appears to be on established institutions rather than grassroots organizations.

Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

• Abby Leigh - Trustee
• Rebecca Leigh - Trustee
• David Leigh - Trustee

All three trustees serve without compensation, typical of family foundation governance. The foundation maintains a lean administrative structure with no paid staff, with all charitable disbursements representing approximately 98% of annual expenses.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Viola Fund does not have a public application process. This is a private family foundation where grants are made at the discretion of the trustees. The foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals through a formal application portal or process.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable due to the absence of a public application process. Grant decisions are made by trustees according to their own timeline and priorities.

Success Rates

For organizations that do manage to get their proposals before the trustees (likely through personal relationships or trustee-initiated contact), the success rate for new applicants is documented at approximately 12%. The foundation made 18 grants in 2023, 19 in 2022, 20 in 2021, and 27 in 2016.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable given the absence of a formal application process.

Application Success Factors

Since The Viola Fund does not accept public applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, based on the foundation's documented grantmaking patterns, the following observations may be relevant:

• Institutional Credibility: Documented recipients include major established institutions such as Yale University, Environmental Defense Fund, and the Metropolitan Opera, suggesting a preference for well-known, reputable organizations
• Geographic Connection: Strong preference for New York-based organizations, though the foundation does support institutions in other states
• Diverse Cause Areas: The foundation supports a wide range of causes, suggesting the trustees have varied philanthropic interests rather than a narrow focus
• Grant Size Flexibility: The foundation has made both large ($1,000,000) and modest ($30,000) grants, indicating flexibility based on the project
• Established Track Record: As a family foundation operating since 1987, trustee relationships and connections likely play a significant role in grantmaking decisions

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is a private family foundation with no public application process—unsolicited proposals are not accepted
• The foundation makes 18-27 grants per year across diverse cause areas including arts, education, environment, health, and human services
• Grant amounts vary widely from $30,000 to $1,000,000, suggesting flexibility based on project scope
• Success rate for new applicants is only 12%, indicating a preference for repeat grantees or trustee-selected organizations
• Geographic focus is primarily New York but extends to at least 10 states
• The foundation has supported major institutions like Yale University, Environmental Defense Fund, and Metropolitan Opera
• All three trustees (Abby Leigh, Rebecca Leigh, David Leigh) serve without compensation and make decisions collectively
• Without a public application process, organizations would need to establish personal connections with trustees or be identified by trustees as potential recipients

References

• The Viola Fund 990-PF Tax Returns, ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/133398045 (Accessed January 2026)
• The Viola Fund Profile, Cause IQ. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/the-viola-fund,133398045/ (Accessed January 2026)
• The Viola Fund Profile, Grantable. https://www.grantable.co/search/funders/profile/the-viola-fund-us-foundation-133398045 (Accessed January 2026)
• The Viola Fund Profile, Instrumentl. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/viola-fund (Accessed January 2026)
• The Viola Fund Profile, Candid Foundation Directory. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=LEIG007 (Accessed January 2026)