Leonard M Tannenbaum Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1,152,500 (2023)
• Success Rate: N/A - Invitation only
• Decision Time: N/A - Preselected organizations
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
• Geographic Focus: Multi-state (CA, CT, FL, IL, NY, PA)

Contact Details

• Website: None
• Phone: Not publicly listed
• Email: Not publicly listed
• Address: Saratoga Springs, NY (official); West Palm Beach, FL (operations)

Overview

The Leonard M Tannenbaum Foundation is a private independent foundation established with approximately $12.4 million in assets as of 2023. The foundation distributes around $1.15 million annually in grants, focusing primarily on educational initiatives across multiple U.S. states. Founded and led by Leonard M. Tannenbaum, a successful financier and entrepreneur who founded Fifth Street Asset Management and AFC Gamma Inc., the foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, explicitly stating in its IRS filings that it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds." The foundation has maintained consistent grant-making activity, awarding 5-7 grants annually to carefully selected organizations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate specific grant programs with defined amounts. All grants are made at trustee discretion to preselected organizations, with total annual giving of approximately $1.15 million distributed across 5-7 grants per year.

Priority Areas

• Education (primary focus)
• Wildlife preservation and conservation
• Children's welfare and advocacy
• Jewish community organizations
• Entrepreneurial initiatives

What They Don't Fund

• Unsolicited applications
• Organizations outside their preselected network
• Direct services (foundation only makes grants to other 501(c)(3) organizations)

Governance and Leadership

President, Director, and Secretary: Leonard M. Tannenbaum

• BS in Economics and MBA in Finance from Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
• Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
• Founded Fifth Street Asset Management in 1998, growing it to ~$5 billion in assets
• Founded TCG/Tannenbaum Capital Group and AFC Gamma Inc. (NASDAQ: AFCG)
• 2013 M&A Advisor Lifetime Achievement and Leadership Award recipient

Leonard dedicates minimal time to foundation operations (less than one hour per week) and receives no compensation. No additional board members are listed in public records.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The foundation explicitly states it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds." Grants are awarded at the sole discretion of the trustee to organizations already known to the foundation.

Getting on Their Radar

Organizations seeking support should focus on:

• Building relationships through Leonard Tannenbaum's known networks: Wharton School alumni community, Palm Beach philanthropic circles, Saratoga Springs community organizations
• Engaging with causes he actively supports: Palm Beach Zoo and Conservation Society, Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County, PA CASA (children's advocacy)
• Connecting through his business networks in finance and cannabis industries (AFC Gamma, TCG)
• Participating in educational initiatives, particularly those connected to Wharton or entrepreneurship programs

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are made to preselected organizations without formal application processes.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept public applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - invitation-only funding.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, traditional application success factors do not apply. Organizations should focus on:

• Aligning with the foundation's educational mission
• Building authentic relationships within Leonard Tannenbaum's philanthropic networks
• Demonstrating impact in communities where the foundation is active (particularly Palm Beach, FL and Saratoga Springs, NY)
• Connecting through shared interests in wildlife conservation, children's welfare, or Jewish community causes
• Leveraging connections through Wharton School or entrepreneurship ecosystems

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is an invitation-only funder - do not submit unsolicited proposals
• Focus on relationship building through Leonard Tannenbaum's known networks and causes
• The foundation primarily supports educational initiatives with approximately $1.15 million in annual grants
• Geographic focus includes California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, New York, and Pennsylvania
• Leonard Tannenbaum has particular interests in wildlife preservation, children's advocacy, and Jewish causes
• Best pathway to funding is through existing relationships in Palm Beach or Saratoga Springs philanthropic communities
• Consider engaging with organizations the Tannenbaums already support as potential partnership opportunities

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Leonard M Tannenbaum Foundation Profile (Form 990-PF filings 2009-2023): https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/262934717 (Accessed March 3, 2026)
• Instrumentl Foundation Profile: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/leonard-m-tannenbaum-foundation (Accessed March 3, 2026)
• Cause IQ Organization Profile: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/leonard-m-tannenbaum-foundation,262934717 (Accessed March 3, 2026)
• Candid Foundation Directory Online: https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=LEON340 (Accessed March 3, 2026)
• Wikipedia - Leonard M. Tannenbaum: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonard_M._Tannenbaum (Accessed March 3, 2026)
• Wharton Magazine - "A Family-Fueled Second Act": https://magazine.wharton.upenn.edu/digital/a-family-fueled-second-act/ (Accessed March 3, 2026)
• Grantmakers.io Profile: https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/262934717-leonard-m-tannenbaum-foundation/ (Accessed March 3, 2026)