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Levi Strauss Foundation

Annual Giving
$10.8M
Grant Range
$10K - $0.5M

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Levi Strauss Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $10.75M (2025); $8.9M (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed (invitation only)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $10,000 - $450,000+ (typical range $10,000 - $150,000; average $120,000)
  • Geographic Focus: USA (Democracy, Immigrant Rights); Global (Reproductive Justice, Worker Rights); concentrated in regions with LS&Co. business presence

Contact Details

Overview

Founded in 1952 by Levi Strauss & Co. leaders Walter Haas Sr., Walter Haas Jr., Peter Haas Sr., and Daniel Koshland, the Levi Strauss Foundation (LSF) is the corporate philanthropic arm of Levi Strauss & Co. Since inception, it has granted over $397 million to organisations working on the frontlines of social change. The Foundation's mission is to "advance the human rights and well-being of underserved people in places where the company has a business presence."

LSF operates across four core programme areas: democracy, immigrant rights, reproductive justice, and apparel worker rights and well-being. A racial and gender justice lens is applied throughout all grantmaking, and nearly all of its recent funding has advanced women's rights globally. The Foundation is a signatory to Philanthropy's Promise, committing the majority of its grantmaking to marginalised communities, with at least 25% directed toward social justice strategies. As of 2025, total foundation assets stand at approximately $80.5 million.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

LSF does not operate distinct named grant streams with fixed amounts. Instead, it awards grants across its four programme areas with amounts typically in the following ranges:

  • Standard Grants: $10,000 - $150,000 (most common range)
  • Larger Strategic Grants: Up to $450,000 or more (for high-priority partners)
  • Average Grant Size (2024): $120,000 (an 11% increase from the prior year, reflecting the Foundation's deliberate move toward larger, more flexible grants)

Grant Characteristics:

  • 85% of grants provide general operating support
  • 95% provide multi-year support
  • 44-45% of grants go to new grantees in a given year
  • Over 20% of 2025 grants went to early-stage nonprofits
  • Cross-cause grants that bridge silos between programme areas are an increasing priority

Priority Areas

1. Democracy (US-focused) Promoting democratic participation through voter registration, civic engagement, community organising, and civic awareness among historically disenfranchised communities. LSF aims to "establish a strong and inclusive democracy" in the United States. Recent grantees include IllumiNative, Momentum, and Black Futures Lab.

2. Immigrant Rights (US-focused) Advancing immigration reform that creates equitable, anti-racist, and humane systems, engaging the most marginalised immigrant communities as active leaders. LSF has provided $5.8 million to this area since 2016. Recent grantees include Define American, Asian Prisoner Support Committee, and Transgender Law Center: Border Butterflies Project.

3. Reproductive Justice (US and Mexico) Supporting policy changes that protect and expand access to reproductive health services, particularly for women of colour, low-income women, and queer and trans communities. In 2024, $2.06 million was distributed across 14 grants. Recent grantees include New Voices for Reproductive Justice, Access Reproductive Justice, and National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice.

4. Apparel Worker Rights and Well-Being (Global) Advancing fair and just protections for workers in LS&Co. sourcing countries, with a focus on building workplace cultures of trust, respect, and fairness. Since its inception, this programme has generated over $35 million in support across 17 countries, reaching 219,000 workers at 113 suppliers. 2025 marks LSF's 30th year funding this area. Recent grantees include Centro de Apoyo al Trabajador, Red de Mujeres Sindicalistas, ProDESC, PCI India, HomeNet Pakistan, and Central American Women's Fund.

What They Don't Fund

  • Unsolicited proposals or letters of inquiry (these will not be considered)
  • Organisations that are not aligned with one of the four core programme areas
  • Work in geographies outside LS&Co.'s business or manufacturing presence
  • Individual projects without connection to systems change, policy, or community organising
  • The Foundation wound down its HIV/AIDS programme in December 2023 after four decades; this is no longer a funded area

Governance and Leadership

Executive Director: Fatima Angeles Fatima Angeles joined LSF in 2021 from the California Wellness Foundation, where she spent more than 20 years leading strategy, most recently as Vice President of Programs. She holds an MPH from Columbia University and a BA from UC Berkeley. She serves on the boards of John Muir Health, CARESTAR Foundation, Confluence Philanthropy, and the Sisters of St. Joseph Healthcare Foundation.

On the Foundation's strategic commitment, Angeles has stated: "Advancing social change has always been challenging, but the foundation is committed to working with our grantees to protect progress and collect durable wins — keeping our long-game focus on social justice for all."

On the Foundation's grantmaking philosophy: "Philanthropy is about envisioning the world we want to see and then moving our collective resources to make that vision a reality."

Board of Directors (selected):

  • Michelle Gass – President and CEO, Levi Strauss & Co.; Board Member since 2024
  • Jennifer C. Haas – President of the Levi Strauss Foundation; sixth-generation family connection; serves on boards of Walter & Elise Haas Fund and Vassar College
  • Daniel Geballe – Vice President of the Levi Strauss Foundation; chairs Finance Committee; Managing Director at SJF Ventures
  • Pete E. Haas Jr. – President, Red Tab Foundation Board; Trustee Emeritus, San Francisco Foundation; Trustee, Walter & Elise Haas Fund
  • David Jedrzejek – SVP and General Counsel, Levi Strauss & Co.; oversees LSF
  • Edgar Bedolla – VP of Corporate Financial Planning and Analysis, Levi Strauss & Co.
  • Bernard Bedon – SVP and Chief Human Resource Officer, Levi Strauss & Co.
  • Elise Haas – Sixth-generation descendant of Levi Strauss
  • Anna Walker – Senior Director of Public Affairs

The board includes a mix of Haas family descendants (the founding family), senior Levi Strauss & Co. executives, and external directors, reflecting both family legacy and corporate strategic priorities.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Levi Strauss Foundation does not have a public application process. It does not accept unsolicited grant proposals or letters of inquiry. All funding is by invitation only.

LSF proactively researches and identifies organisations that best align with its priorities. Strategic choices about grantees are based on:

  • Alignment with one or more of the four core programme areas
  • LS&Co. business presence in the relevant geography (sourcing and/or marketing footprint)
  • Grantmaking history and ability to build on existing momentum
  • Racial and gender justice lens applied to all funding decisions
  • Organisations working on systems change, not just direct service

Getting on Their Radar

The following strategies are specific to the Levi Strauss Foundation's documented approach and structure:

  • Contact via email for general inquiry: The Foundation's only stated public contact point is mbxlsfoundation@levi.com. While they do not accept proposals, an introductory email demonstrating clear alignment with their four programme areas and geographic focus may be appropriate.

  • Leverage board connections: The LSF board includes Haas family members (Jennifer C. Haas, Pete E. Haas Jr., Elise Haas) who are active in Bay Area philanthropy and sit on boards including the Walter & Elise Haas Fund and San Francisco Foundation. Organisations with existing relationships in these networks may find pathways to LSF visibility.

  • Align with existing grantee networks: LSF's existing grantees — including organisations such as Black Futures Lab, Define American, and National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice — are active in broader networks and coalitions. Being visible within these communities may increase the likelihood of being identified by LSF's research process.

  • Geographic footprint matters: LSF explicitly states that grantee selection is based on LS&Co.'s business presence. Organisations working in San Francisco Bay Area, New York, Atlanta, Washington D.C., or in LS&Co. sourcing countries (China, Argentina, South Africa, Thailand, Mexico, and others in the 17 countries where they operate) are most likely to be considered.

  • Worker rights in supply chains: For international organisations, demonstrating direct connection to apparel manufacturing communities or LS&Co. supplier networks is a documented pathway to LSF's Worker Rights programme.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. As an invitation-only funder, the timeline is managed internally by LSF staff. Multi-year grant commitments indicate that review cycles are ongoing rather than fixed to a single annual deadline.

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed. In 2024, LSF made 74 new grants to 67 organisations, with 135 total active grants — reflecting the multi-year nature of most partnerships. In 2025, 81 organisations were funded. The Foundation does not publish application or rejection statistics given its invitation-only model.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable in the traditional sense. Grantees may receive multi-year renewals; 95% of grants in 2024 provided multi-year support. LSF's approach is long-term partnership rather than annual competitive cycles.

Application Success Factors

Since LSF does not accept unsolicited applications, the following factors are relevant for organisations seeking to position themselves for an invitation:

Racial and gender justice framing is non-negotiable: LSF applies a racial and gender justice lens to every grant. Nearly all of its 2024 and 2025 funding advanced women's rights. Organisations that do not explicitly centre these frameworks in their work are unlikely to be funded regardless of their cause area.

General operating support philosophy: LSF's preference for general operating support (85% of grants) and multi-year commitments means it looks for organisations with strong institutional leadership, adaptive capacity, and long-term vision — not just a compelling project. Demonstrating organisational strength and resilience is as important as programme work.

Systems change, not just service delivery: LSF's stated priorities include policy and systems change, advocacy, community organising, litigation, and civic engagement. Direct service organisations without a policy or systemic change dimension are unlikely to be a strong fit.

Cross-cause integration is increasingly valued: LSF has documented that it values grants bridging multiple issues (e.g., immigrant rights intersecting with reproductive justice). Organisations whose work connects across causes are strategically well-positioned.

Philanthropy's Promise commitments: As a signatory, LSF is committed to funding marginalised communities and social justice strategies. Organisations that primarily serve mainstream or majority populations will not align with this commitment.

Geographic alignment is explicit selection criteria: Fatima Angeles and LSF's published grantmaking criteria explicitly state that geographic overlap with LS&Co.'s business presence is a selection factor. This is one of the few published criteria.

44-45% of grants go to new organisations annually: Despite the invitation-only model, LSF does actively seek out and fund new partners each year, meaning the pool is not entirely closed to newcomers. Being well-known in relevant networks, publishing impactful research, or being visible at sector convenings increases discoverability.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No unsolicited applications accepted: Do not send proposals or letters of inquiry. The only contact point is mbxlsfoundation@levi.com for general enquiries. Any application strategy must focus on relationship building and visibility rather than a traditional proposal submission.

  • Geographic alignment is a published selection criterion: Organisations must work in geographies where LS&Co. has a business or manufacturing presence. This includes San Francisco Bay Area, New York, Atlanta, D.C., and 17+ countries in global sourcing regions.

  • Racial and gender justice framing is essential: LSF's lens is applied to all grantmaking. Nearly all recent funding has advanced women's rights. This framing must be embedded in organisational identity, not added as an afterthought.

  • Multi-year general operating support is the norm: LSF funds organisations, not just projects. 95% of grants are multi-year and 85% are general operating. Demonstrating strong organisational governance, leadership, and adaptive capacity is critical.

  • New grantees are welcomed annually: Despite the invitation-only model, 44-45% of grants each year go to new organisations. Sustained visibility within LSF's issue area networks — particularly the existing grantee community — is the most realistic pathway to an invitation.

  • Apparel sector connection opens a distinct global programme: For international organisations, particularly those working with garment workers in LS&Co. sourcing countries, the Worker Rights and Well-Being programme is a specific pathway. Being known within the supplier community or global labour rights sector is advantageous.

  • 2025 saw a 23% increase in giving: LSF meaningfully increased its grant total in 2025, including additional funding for international grantees impacted by foreign aid cuts. This signals both financial health and strategic responsiveness, making it a growing funder for aligned organisations.

References

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