Tom & Frances Leach Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1.5-2.1 million
• Success Rate: Competitive (majority of funding goes to recurring grantees)
• Decision Time: 4-6 months (applications due June 30, decisions by end of year)
• Grant Range: $5,000 - $100,000+
• Geographic Focus: North Dakota (priority to Bismarck-Mandan and Western ND)

Contact Details

• Website: leachfoundation.org
• Application Portal: thetomandfrancesleachfoundation.submittable.com
• Email: leachfoundation@midconetwork.com
• Phone: 701-255-0479
• Mailing Address: 425 N. 5th Street, Suite 308, Bismarck, ND 58501

Overview

The Tom and Frances Leach Foundation Inc, established in 1955, is a private foundation with approximately $24.5 million in assets that distributes $1.5-2 million annually to North Dakota nonprofits. The foundation honors the legacy of Tom and Frances Leach through strategic philanthropic investments aimed at creating transformational change in communities across North Dakota, with particular emphasis on the Bismarck-Mandan area and Western North Dakota. The foundation seeks to support smart and innovative responses to current needs, focusing on systematic solutions that address root causes of challenges rather than symptoms, and prioritizing evidence-based programs with capacity for dramatic gains in education, health, arts, and human services.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates a single comprehensive grant program with the following parameters:

• Annual Grant Cycle: $5,000 - $100,000+ (applications accepted through June 30)
• Multi-year Support Available: Demonstrated through grants like Gaia Home's $250,000 award
• Application Method: Online portal via Submittable, fixed annual deadline

Priority Areas

Education

• Early childhood through secondary education initiatives
• Support for high-performing schools
• Evidence-based educational programs

Health & Medical Sciences

• Hospital and medical facility support
• Mental health programs and services
• Disease-specific support organizations

Arts & Humanities

• Visual arts programs and exhibitions
• Performing arts organizations
• Literary arts and cultural programs

Human Services

• Support for vulnerable populations
• Quality of life enhancement programs
• Community service organizations

What They Don't Fund

• Organizations without 501(c)(3) status
• Duplicate services already existing in the community
• More than one application per organization per year

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is governed by a board that includes:

• William L. Daniel - President
• Todd Steinwand - Vice President (serving over 20 years)
• Don Clement - Secretary/Treasurer
• Tami Helmers - Grant Coordinator

The foundation emphasizes creating "significant, lasting transformational change" and seeks organizations that demonstrate "smart and innovative responses to current needs" with "systematic solutions that address root causes of challenges."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are accepted through the foundation's online Submittable portal at thetomandfrancesleachfoundation.submittable.com. Organizations must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits and can submit one application per year. The application requires demonstrating alignment with funding priorities, organizational capacity, effectiveness in addressing community needs, and measurable positive impact.

Decision Timeline

• Application Deadline: June 30 annually
• Board Meeting: November
• Notification: Within 3 weeks of board decision, by end of year
• Award Distribution: On or before December 31

Success Rates

According to Inside Philanthropy, the foundation "may be competitive for new grantseekers" as tax filings indicate the majority of funding goes to recurring grantees. In 2023, the foundation made 68 grants totaling approximately $1.46 million.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations may apply once per year. Unsuccessful applicants can reapply in subsequent grant cycles.

Application Success Factors

The foundation specifically seeks organizations that:

• Create "significant, lasting transformational change" rather than temporary solutions
• Demonstrate "smart and innovative responses to current needs"
• Provide "systematic solutions that address root causes of challenges" not just symptoms
• Operate evidence-based programs "with capacity for dramatic gains"
• Show clear measurable positive impact
• Avoid duplication of existing services in the community
• Have strong organizational capacity to deliver on proposed programs

Recent successful grantees span diverse sectors including Gaia Home (multi-year $250,000 grant), Bismarck Cancer Center, Gateway to Science, University of Mary, and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Bismarck, demonstrating the foundation's commitment to comprehensive community support.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic advantage matters: Priority given to Bismarck-Mandan area and Western North Dakota organizations
• Focus on transformation not maintenance: Emphasize how your program creates lasting systemic change rather than temporary relief
• Prove uniqueness: Clearly demonstrate how your program fills a gap and doesn't duplicate existing services
• Build relationships first: With majority of funding going to recurring grantees, consider starting with a smaller request to establish trust
• Submit early in the cycle: With a June 30 deadline and competitive landscape, allow time for a thorough, well-crafted application
• Demonstrate evidence-based approach: Show clear metrics and proven methodologies that can deliver "dramatic gains"
• One shot per year: Make your single annual application count with comprehensive planning and alignment with all stated priorities

References

• Leach Foundation Official Website (leachfoundation.org) - Accessed February 2025
• Leach Foundation Submittable Portal (thetomandfrancesleachfoundation.submittable.com) - Application guidelines and requirements
• IRS Form 990 Tax Filings (2023-2024) - Financial data and grant distributions
• Candid/Foundation Directory - Foundation profile and grant history
• Inside Philanthropy - Funder analysis and competitiveness assessment
• North Dakota Community Foundation - Regional philanthropy context
• Bismarck Tribune - Coverage of local grant awards and foundation activities