Leichtag Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $4.5 million (2024)
• Success Rate: N/A (invitation-only)
• Decision Time: Monthly grant cycles
• Grant Range: Variable - no set minimum or maximum
• Geographic Focus: North County San Diego Coastal & Jerusalem, Israel

Contact Details

Website: https://leichtag.org/ Phone: 760-929-1090 Email: info@leichtag.org (general), grants@leichtag.org (grants) Address: 441 Saxony Road, Encinitas, CA 92024

Overview

The Leichtag Foundation, established in 1991 by Lee and Toni Leichtag, is a limited-life foundation that has distributed over $145 million to 496 organizations. Currently in an active wind-down phase as of August 2025, the foundation's philanthropy operations have merged with the Jewish Community Foundation of San Diego. The foundation focuses on advancing self-sufficiency, vibrant Jewish life, and social entrepreneurship in North San Diego County and Jerusalem. With remaining assets of approximately $78 million, the foundation continues limited grantmaking during its transition, with final assets to be placed in field-of-interest funds at JCF to support Leichtag legacy areas.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• General Support Grants: Variable amounts (average $48,500 in 2023)
• Capacity Building Support: Case-by-case basis
• Multi-year Commitments: Available for strategic partners
• No minimum or maximum grant amounts; grants over $50,000 may have different process considerations

Priority Areas

• North County Jewish Life: Building Jewish institutions and community in North County Coastal region
• Self-Sufficiency: Combating poverty and helping people achieve economic independence
• Jerusalem Renewal: Stimulating service and social activism in Jerusalem
• San Diego-Israel Connections: Building relationships between San Diego County and Israel
• Holocaust Education: Strengthening education about tolerance and understanding
• Social Entrepreneurship: Supporting innovative approaches to social problems

What They Don't Fund

• Individuals
• Fundraising events
• Political campaigns
• Endowments
• Medical research
• Individual synagogues
• Capital campaigns

Governance and Leadership

Current Leadership:

• Charlene Seidle, President and CEO (2024-present): "Learning by doing" - previously worked with foundation since 2008, emphasizes urgent approach of limited-life foundations to avoid passing problems to future generations
• Jim Farley, Executive Chair (2024-present): Former President/CEO (2007-2024), led foundation's growth and major initiatives including Leichtag Commons
• Angelica Berrie, Board Member (added 2019)

Founders: Lee and Toni Leichtag - "G-d has been good to us, we want to return the favor" (Lee Leichtag)

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Grants are awarded strictly by invitation only. Prospective grantees must receive a formal invitation from Foundation staff to submit a proposal. Once invited, staff work closely with applicants to develop their proposals.

Getting on Their Radar

Given the foundation's wind-down status and merger with Jewish Community Foundation of San Diego, organizations seeking support should:

• Contact Jewish Community Foundation of San Diego, which has absorbed Leichtag's philanthropy operations (Impact Cubed)
• Participate in JCF's nonprofit programs and convenings where former Leichtag staff now work
• Engage with organizations at The Hive, Leichtag's nonprofit co-working hub hosting 30+ organizations
• Connect through Coastal Roots Farm initiatives if working in food justice or agriculture

Decision Timeline

• Grants historically awarded monthly
• Staff work closely with invited applicants throughout proposal development
• Timeline varies based on grant size and complexity

Success Rates

Not applicable due to invitation-only process

Reapplication Policy

Not specified; invitation-based system means reapplication depends on maintaining relationship with foundation staff

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's stated criteria and leadership guidance:

• Demonstrate entrepreneurial thinking: The Leichtags were fascinated by entrepreneurs "looking at the world differently, looking at intractable societal problems differently" - show innovative, pragmatic, iterative approaches
• Show sustainability planning: Foundation explicitly looks for organizations with clear sustainability plans beyond their support
• Emphasize community partnerships: They favor projects with multiple funding partners and community buy-in
• Focus on measurable outcomes: Must have well-defined goals and quality evaluation processes
• Highlight strong leadership: Foundation values organizations with proven, stable leadership
• Connect to legacy priorities: Given wind-down phase, projects that clearly advance their six core focus areas are most likely to receive support
• Build staff relationships: Since all grants are by invitation, relationship with foundation staff is essential

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Wind-down phase alert: Foundation is actively winding down; approach Jewish Community Foundation of San Diego for ongoing opportunities
• Invitation-only process: Cannot submit unsolicited proposals - must be invited by foundation staff
• Geographic restrictions: Must serve North County San Diego Coastal region or Jerusalem
• No set grant limits: Amounts determined case-by-case; grants over $50,000 may have additional requirements
• Jewish life emphasis: While supporting broader community, strong focus on Jewish institutions and connections
• Innovation valued: Foundation founders specifically sought entrepreneurs with new approaches to social problems
• Legacy focus: As foundation winds down, projects that strongly advance their six strategic priorities most likely to receive support

References

• Leichtag Foundation Official Website (https://leichtag.org/) - Accessed February 2026
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Form 990-PF data for FY 2024
• "Leichtag Foundation's Impact Cubed Merges with Jewish Community Foundation" - eJewishPhilanthropy, August 2025
• Jewish Community Foundation of San Diego announcement on Impact Cubed merger - August 1, 2025
• Foundation Center/Candid profile - Grant history and statistics
• Times of San Diego coverage of foundation activities
• San Diego Jewish World reporting on foundation leadership changes
• Cause IQ database - Financial and organizational data
• GuideStar profile - Board and leadership information