The Leever Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $495,000 (2024)
• Grant Range: Up to $40,000 per grant (Transforming Systemic Inequality); capacity building up to $100,000 total program
• Geographic Focus: Waterbury, Connecticut (place-based)
• Total Assets: $13,960,681
• Grants Awarded: 65 grants (2023), 47 grants (2024)
• Average Grant Size: $10,537
• Application Method: Mixed (invitation-based and open application processes depending on program)

Contact Details

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 2179, Waterbury, CT 06705

Phone: 203-572-5975

Email: info@leeverfoundation.org

Website: www.leeverfoundation.org

Administrative Office: 12030 Sunrise Valley Dr Ste 450, Reston, VA 20191-3400 (703-437-9720)

Grant Management: Uses Foundant Grant Management software platform

Overview

The Leever Foundation was established on January 23, 1991, as a family foundation after being discussed in the backyard of the family home in Bethlehem, Connecticut. With assets totaling approximately $13.96 million, the foundation is dedicated to supporting opportunities for people in Waterbury, Connecticut, especially children, to fulfill their potential through place-based transformational change toward a just and equitable society. Under the leadership of CEO Saran White since December 2018, the foundation has evolved to implement what White describes as "a more intentional, vision-aligned, equity-driven and community-informed agenda." The foundation made its first grant of $250,000 in June 2001 to fund YouthNet, bringing after-school programs to inner city youth in Waterbury. Co-founder Harold Leever's guiding principle, "Have the guts to fail," continues to inspire the foundation's willingness to take risks and support innovative approaches to social justice work.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

1. Transforming Systemic Inequality Grant

• Amount: Up to $40,000 for one-year activities
• Duration: Annual continuation possible for up to three years
• Focus: Tackles significant structural and systemic barriers to opportunities and success for Waterbury residents, especially young people who live at the intersections of multiple oppressions (race, economic status, sexual orientation, immigration status, disability, etc.)
• Application: Currently uses a Programmatic Augmentation/Adaptive Continuity Grant process instead of traditional Fall RFP cycle

2. Planning & Building Capacity for Social Justice Grant

• Amount: Up to $100,000 total program funding available to support multiple Waterbury grantees
• Duration: 12-month period
• Focus: Strengthens social justice efforts by supporting community-driven movement building organizations, collectives, local groups and networks
• Application: Mandatory 45-minute webinar attendance before application submission; uses online portal for short application and required materials

3. Resilience of Grassroots & Community-Based Initiatives Grant

• Application: Invitation-only grant opportunity launched in 2024

Priority Areas

The foundation prioritizes funding that:

• Centers Community Leadership: Programs that center the power, leadership, and voices of people from marginalized communities and those directly impacted by structural racism
• Advances Social Justice: Work utilizing a social justice and racial equity lens that addresses historical and contemporary inequities
• Supports Systems Change: Organizations working on structural transformation and systems change
• Promotes Intersectionality: Approaches that acknowledge intersecting oppressions and their impact on communities
• Focuses on Marginalized Communities: Centers BILPOC, LGBTQIA+, immigrant, disability justice, and other historically marginalized communities in Waterbury
• Addresses Urgent Needs: Responds to urgent needs resulting from political shifts
• Community-Led Initiatives: Activities that are community-led and/or community-informed

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization or work under an authorized fiscal sponsor
• Must have a minimum annual budget of $150,000 (or partner with an organization that does)
• Organizations must have operating budgets under $2,000,000 (larger organizations may be considered under certain circumstances)
• Must be working in or serving Waterbury, Connecticut
• Must have a plan for sustaining impact beyond the grant period
• Must be able to complete proposed work within specified timeframe (typically 12 months)

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not explicitly publish a list of exclusions, but they:

• Only fund organizations working in Waterbury, Connecticut (strict geographic limitation)
• Do not fund organizations with operating budgets over $2,000,000 (with rare exceptions)
• Focus exclusively on social justice and equity work, suggesting work outside these parameters would not be considered

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

Saran D. White, Chief Executive Officer

• Inaugural CEO, joined December 3, 2018
• Mission-driven strategist with over 20 years of experience strengthening capacity of organizations and systems that increase equity, access, and justice in under-resourced communities
• Previously Director for the DC Office of the Corporation for National and Community Service (AmeriCorps), directing a multi-million dollar portfolio focused on anti-poverty initiatives
• Education: Bachelor of Arts from Wesleyan University; Master of Public Administration from CUNY Baruch School of Public and International Affairs
• Only compensated director: $169,274 annually
• Quote: "It is an honor to work with the Board of Directors of The Leever Foundation and the greater Waterbury community to cultivate a new chapter for the Foundation that continues to achieve Harold and Ruth Ann Leever's vision."

Board of Directors

The foundation maintains a combined Family and Community Board of Directors that reflects a commitment to engaging and valuing the voices of all stakeholders, including those directly impacted.

Bilal Tajildeen, President

• First community board member
• Voted in as chair of the Foundation
• Serves without compensation

Morgan Leever, Vice President

• Family board member
• Serves without compensation

Foundation Values

The foundation operates according to core values established by founders Harold and Ruth Ann Leever:

• Bold Action & Risk-Taking: Encourages bold action, supports innovative ideas, and embraces challenges as opportunities for growth
• Community Partnership: Works alongside the Waterbury community, sharing power and resources rather than making decisions for them
• Accountability & Transparency: Holds itself accountable to Waterbury residents, acknowledging missteps and continually learning
• Social Justice Commitment: Refuses to accept status quo that denies opportunities to historically marginalized populations

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Leever Foundation uses a mixed approach with both invitation-based and open application processes depending on the grant program.

General Process:

1. Visit leeverfoundation.org for current grant opportunities and guidelines
2. Once grant eligibility is confirmed, applicants receive an invitation to create a Foundant account (the foundation's grant management software)
3. Complete application through the online portal

For Planning & Building Capacity for Social Justice Grant:

1. Attend mandatory 45-minute informational webinar
2. After webinar, access the foundation's application portal
3. Complete short application form
4. Upload required materials including:
   • Project/initiative budget
   • Organizational budget
   • Proof of nonprofit status

For Transforming Systemic Inequality Grant:

• Foundation has shifted from traditional annual Fall RFP cycle to a Programmatic Augmentation/Adaptive Continuity Grant process
• Designed to provide timely, flexible support to organizations making meaningful impact
• Further details shared directly with invitees

For Resilience of Grassroots & Community-Based Initiatives:

• Invitation-only process

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly detailed on the foundation's website. Applicants are encouraged to contact the foundation directly at info@leeverfoundation.org or 203-572-5975 for information about review schedules and notification processes.

Success Rates

Specific success rate percentages are not publicly available. However, with 47-65 grants awarded annually from a foundation with an equity-centered, community-informed approach, applicants who meet the strict eligibility criteria and align with the foundation's values have a meaningful chance of success.

Reapplication Policy

The foundation's specific reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants is not detailed in publicly available information. Interested organizations should contact the foundation directly at info@leeverfoundation.org to inquire about reapplication guidelines.

Application Success Factors

What the Foundation Values Most

1. Community Leadership and Voice The committee "highly regards programs that center the power, leadership and voices of people from marginalized communities and those directly impacted by structural racism." All proposals must describe the extent to which activities are community-led and/or informed, and whether the organization or initiative is led by Black, Indigenous, or other people of color.

2. Social Justice & Racial Equity Lens Strong applications demonstrate "a recognizable commitment to a more just society by addressing historical and contemporary inequities and supporting those who have been marginalized to affect change." The foundation seeks organizations that utilize a social justice and racial equity lens throughout their work.

3. Intersectionality The foundation values organizations that "acknowledge intersecting oppressions and understand how multiple oppressions impact one another and the lives of the people with whom they work." Applications should address how the organization works with people experiencing multiple forms of marginalization.

4. Systems Change Focus The foundation prioritizes "work to support emerging needs for strengthening programming and activities towards social justice, systems change and other equity efforts that directly benefit Waterbury." Show how your work addresses root causes, not just symptoms.

5. Sustainability and Impact Measurement Applicants must demonstrate "a plan for sustaining the impact of this funding beyond the grant period" and have "a clear plan for measuring impact." Be specific about how your work will continue after grant funding ends.

6. Disrupting Status Quo Reflecting Harold Leever's philosophy to "have the guts to fail," the foundation values organizations willing to "take risks, disrupt the status quo, and know that the 'right' answer is not always the easy or fastest answer."

Priority Populations

Applications are strongest when they center:

• BILPOC (Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and other people of color) communities
• LGBTQIA+ individuals
• Immigrant communities
• Disability justice communities
• Other historically marginalized communities in Waterbury
• Young people at the intersections of multiple oppressions

Strategic Tips

• Attend Required Webinars: For applicable grant programs, webinar attendance is mandatory and provides crucial insight into what the foundation is seeking
• Be Explicit About Community Leadership: Clearly articulate how community members (especially those most impacted) lead and inform your work
• Show Your Equity Work: Don't assume the foundation knows your equity commitment—demonstrate it explicitly through your governance, staffing, programs, and decision-making processes
• Think Long-Term: Even for one-year grants, show how your work contributes to sustainable, long-term systems change
• Be Honest About Challenges: Given the foundation's values around accountability and learning from mistakes, authenticity about challenges may be more valuable than presenting a perfect picture
• Connect to Waterbury: Make clear, specific connections to how your work impacts Waterbury residents, particularly those who have been historically marginalized

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Hyperlocal Focus: This is exclusively place-based funding for Waterbury, Connecticut. If you're not working in Waterbury, this is not the funder for you.

• Equity is Non-Negotiable: The foundation has undergone significant transformation to become equity-driven and community-informed. Surface-level diversity statements won't suffice—demonstrate deep commitment to racial equity and social justice.

• Community Leadership Matters: The foundation wants to see that communities most impacted are leading the work, not just being served by it. Highlight community voice, power-sharing, and leadership development.

• Relationship-Based Grantmaking: With invitation-only opportunities and a shift away from traditional RFP cycles, building relationships with the foundation before applying is increasingly important.

• Risk-Taking is Valued: The foundation's motto "Have the guts to fail" signals openness to innovative, bold approaches. Don't shy away from ambitious goals or unconventional strategies if they serve the mission.

• Size Matters: The foundation specifically targets smaller organizations (under $2 million budgets, minimum $150,000). Mid-sized community-based organizations are in the sweet spot.

• Systems Change Focus: The foundation is interested in addressing root causes and structural inequities, not just providing services. Frame your work in terms of systems change and structural transformation.

References

• Leever Foundation Official Website: https://www.leeverfoundation.org/ (Accessed March 4, 2026)
• The Foundation History: https://www.leeverfoundation.org/the-foundations-history (Accessed March 4, 2026)
• The Foundation Overview: https://www.leeverfoundation.org/the-foundation (Accessed March 4, 2026)
• The Team/Leadership: https://www.leeverfoundation.org/the-team (Accessed March 4, 2026)
• Saran White Biography: https://www.leeverfoundation.org/the-team/saran-white (Accessed March 4, 2026)
• Transforming Systemic Inequality Grant: https://www.leeverfoundation.org/transforming-systemic-inequality-grant (Accessed March 4, 2026)
• Planning & Building Capacity for Social Justice Grant: https://www.leeverfoundation.org/pbcgrant (Accessed March 4, 2026)
• Contact Information: https://www.leeverfoundation.org/contact (Accessed March 4, 2026)
• Frequently Asked Questions: https://www.leeverfoundation.org/faqs (Accessed March 4, 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Leever Foundation Inc (EIN 22-3115036): https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/223115036 (Accessed March 4, 2026)
• CauseIQ Profile: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/leever-foundation-inc,223115036/ (Accessed March 4, 2026)
• Grantmakers.io Profile: https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/223115036-leever-foundation-inc/ (Accessed March 4, 2026)
• Foundation Directory (Candid): https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=LEEV002 (Accessed March 4, 2026)
• Connecticut Council for Philanthropy - Saran White Announcement: https://www.ctphilanthropy.org/news/leever-foundation-welcomes-saran-d-white-executive-director (Accessed March 4, 2026)
• IRS Form 990-PF Filings (2019-2023) available through ProPublica and Candid databases