Leo Model Foundation
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests and works by invitation only, so an organisation without an introduction should not send a cold proposal; look for a route through someone who already knows the foundation.
- Where an invitation is possible, a modest request fits its usual pattern: about 8 in 10 of its grants fall between $1,500 and $50,000, and half of its grants are $10,000 or less, although its largest grant was $150,000, so that range is typical rather than a ceiling.
- In the filing, 88% of grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in earlier filings, so the foundation leans heavily towards existing recipients and a relationship is likely to matter more than timing.
- No geographic focus is stated, so location alone is not a reason to rule yourself in or out, and its recorded grants span human rights, conservation, higher education, arts, food rescue, medical relief, reproductive health and community services.
Overview
Leo Model Foundation is a US private foundation based in Philadelphia, PA.
What they fund
Profile based on the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) only: no website or other web source for the foundation was found. Every statement is checked against the filings. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
Its recorded grants span human-rights and civil-liberties work, environmental and wildlife conservation, higher education, arts and cultural organisations, food rescue, medical relief, reproductive health and community services. Recipients include advocacy and research bodies, colleges and universities, museums, conservation groups, health providers, and organisations delivering food or community support. Some grants support general operations; others are directed to work such as habitat protection, humanitarian medical relief, rights advocacy, research and education. The record ranges from Philadelphia community needs to national and international issues.
Geographic Focus
No geographic focus is stated; the filings show grants mainly in New York, Pennsylvania, District of Columbia and Massachusetts.
How to apply
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 88% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 406 grants to organisations were $10,000 or less.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
6 other states: 9%
Outside the US or with no state on the filing: 2%
- The largest single recipient received 5% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 88% of grant dollars went to organisations Leo Model Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
- 13% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 144 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $10,000 (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Pennsylvania Horticultural Society · General operating support$125,0002024 tax year
- Human Rights Watch · Protect human rights around the world$90,0002024 tax year
- Women's Way · General support for women's support fund$80,0002024 tax year
- League of Conservation Voters · Support for pro-climate and pro-environment voices in politics$80,0002024 tax year
- Doctors Without Borders · Medical relief to victims of war, disease, natural or man-made disaster$80,0002024 tax year
- State Voices · General operating support$80,0002024 tax year
- Jerusalem Foundation · Preserving an open, equitable and modern society in jerusalem.$80,0002024 tax year
- City Harvest · Food rescue and distribution, education$75,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Sascha Russel — Director And Assistant Secretary
- Zachary Model — Director And Assistant Secretary
- Katherine Model — Director And Assistant Secretary
- Paul Model — Vice President And Treasurer
- Roberta Gausas — Vice President And Assistant Secretary
- Pamela Grace — Secretary
- Allen Model — President & Assistant Secretary
- Marjorie Russel — Vice President & Assistant
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $2,450,453 | $2,098,928 | $52,923,770 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $3,257,774 | $2,740,570 | $57,970,956 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $2,871,066 | $2,585,000 | $63,945,653 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
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At a glance
Applying to Leo Model Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Philadelphia, PA
Applying to Leo Model Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Philadelphia, PA