Thomas and Dorothy Leavey Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $14,499,000 (2023)
Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
Grant Range: $1,000 - $6,000,000 (most grants $10,000 - $50,000)
Geographic Focus: Southern California (primarily Los Angeles)
Total Grants Awarded (2023): 194 grants

Contact Details

Address: 10100 Santa Monica Boulevard, Suite 610, Los Angeles, CA 90067

Phone: 310-551-9936 (direct line to Kathleen Leavey, foundation chair)

Email: Not publicly available

Website: The foundation does not maintain a public website

Note: Southern California organizations should submit a letter with their request and supporting documentation to the foundation's trustees via mail.

Overview

The Thomas and Dorothy Leavey Foundation was established in 1952 by Farmers Insurance Group co-founder Thomas E. Leavey and his wife Dorothy E. Risley Leavey. With assets of approximately $318 million, the foundation has donated more than $200 million over the past six decades to educational, medical, and Catholic institutions. The foundation is currently chaired by Kathleen McCarthy Leavey (also known as Kathleen McCarthy Kostlan), the daughter of the founders. The foundation maintains a low public profile, operating without a website, and distributes approximately $14.5 million annually through nearly 200 grants. The foundation's grantmaking is evenly disbursed among medical, educational, and Catholic organizations, with a strong preference for Los Angeles-based nonprofits.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with specific names or deadlines. Instead, it accepts requests on a rolling basis and awards grants across three main categories:

Education: $1,000 - $6,000,000 (K-12 schools, Catholic universities, higher education institutions)
Healthcare/Medical Research: $1,000 - $1,000,000+ (hospitals, medical research institutions, health centers)
Catholic Organizations: $1,000 - $1,000,000 (churches, Catholic charities, religious institutions)
Individual Grants: Average $3,000 (unlike most foundations, the Leavey Foundation also awards grants to individuals)

Application method: Rolling basis via mailed letter and supporting documentation

Priority Areas

Catholic Education: The foundation shows particular interest in Catholic universities and K-12 schools. Major Catholic university recipients include Santa Clara University, University of Southern California, Loyola Marymount University, Mount Saint Mary's University, and Georgetown University.

Healthcare and Medical Research: Hospitals, medical research facilities, and health centers receive substantial support. Major recipients include St. John's Health Center and medical research institutions.

Catholic Community Services: Churches, religious organizations, and Catholic charities working in Los Angeles. Recent recipients include Saint Paul the Apostle Church ($1 million), Homeboy Industries ($500,000), and Sisters of Nazareth of Los Angeles ($250,000).

K-12 Education: Catholic and private schools, particularly in Southern California. Cathedral High School is a major recipient.

Repeat Grantees: The foundation tends to give to the same grantees year after year, suggesting that building a relationship with the foundation can lead to ongoing support.

What They Don't Fund

While the foundation does not publish explicit exclusions, their grantmaking patterns indicate:

Organizations outside Southern California receive limited consideration
Primary focus is on Catholic-affiliated or Catholic-serving organizations
Emphasis on established institutions rather than start-ups or grassroots organizations

Governance and Leadership

Board Chair: Kathleen McCarthy Leavey (Kathleen McCarthy Kostlan), daughter of founders Thomas and Dorothy Leavey

Board Members (partial list):

Kathleen McCarthy Duncan (granddaughter of founders, also serves on Santa Clara University's Board of Regents)
Michael McCarthy '80 (grandson, previously served on Santa Clara University Board)
Lou Castruccio '60 (foundation board member)

The foundation is managed by a board of trustees consisting primarily of family members and close advisors. Kathleen McCarthy Leavey can be reached directly at 310-551-9936 for grant inquiries.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Thomas and Dorothy Leavey Foundation accepts unsolicited applications via mail. Southern California organizations should:

Prepare a letter outlining their funding request
Include supporting documentation about the organization and project
Mail the application to: Thomas and Dorothy Leavey Foundation, 10100 Santa Monica Boulevard, Suite 610, Los Angeles, CA 90067

Application Schedule: Rolling basis - no formal deadlines

Pre-Application Contact: Grant seekers may contact Kathleen Leavey directly at 310-551-9936 with questions

Decision Timeline

The foundation does not publish information about decision timelines. Given the high volume of grants (194 in 2023) and the rolling application process, decision times likely vary depending on the size and complexity of the request.

Notification methods are not publicly documented.

Success Rates

Specific success rates are not publicly available. In 2023, the foundation awarded 194 grants totaling $14,499,000, with a median grant of $3,000. The foundation tends to give to the same grantees year after year, which suggests that new applicants may face greater competition than organizations with established relationships.

Reapplication Policy

The foundation's reapplication policy is not publicly documented. Given that the foundation "tends to give to the same grantees year after year," unsuccessful applicants may benefit from building relationships over time rather than abandoning efforts after one attempt. Contact the foundation directly at 310-551-9936 for guidance on reapplication.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's grantmaking patterns and priorities, the following factors appear to increase the likelihood of success:

Catholic Connection: The strongest predictor of success appears to be Catholic affiliation. Whether you are a Catholic university, a Catholic parish, or a secular organization serving Catholic communities, demonstrating alignment with Catholic values and mission is essential.

Los Angeles Location: Almost all Leavey grants stay within Southern California, primarily in the city of Los Angeles. Organizations based outside this region face significant barriers to funding.

Established Track Record: The foundation's preference for repeat grantees and major institutions (USC, Santa Clara University, Loyola Marymount University, St. John's Health Center) suggests they favor proven organizations with demonstrated impact over newer or experimental initiatives.

Major Institutional Gifts: While the median grant is $3,000 and most grants fall in the $10,000-$50,000 range, the foundation has shown willingness to make transformational gifts to major institutions. Recent examples include $25 million to Loyola Marymount University, $30 million to Santa Clara University, and $3 million to USC. These large gifts are typically for capital projects, particularly buildings or facilities.

Education Focus: Organizations working in K-12 education, higher education, or educational support services align strongly with the foundation's priorities. Educational purposes are consistently cited in grant descriptions.

Healthcare and Medical Research: Organizations in the healthcare sector, particularly those with Catholic affiliations or serving vulnerable populations, represent a significant portion of the foundation's giving.

Community Services with Catholic Mission: Organizations like Homeboy Industries and Sisters of Nazareth of Los Angeles demonstrate that the foundation supports community service organizations that align with Catholic social teaching, even if they serve broader populations.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Catholic alignment is critical: This foundation prioritizes Catholic organizations, Catholic-serving institutions, and organizations whose missions align with Catholic values. Non-Catholic organizations should clearly articulate how their work serves Catholic communities or aligns with Catholic social teaching.
Southern California location matters: Almost all grants stay within Southern California, with Los Angeles-based organizations having a clear advantage. Organizations outside this region should not expect funding.
Build relationships for the long term: The foundation "tends to give to the same grantees year after year," suggesting that persistence and relationship-building can lead to multi-year support.
No website means direct contact: The foundation maintains a low profile without a public website. Don't hesitate to contact Kathleen Leavey directly at 310-551-9936 with questions about your organization's fit.
Wide range of grant sizes: While the median grant is only $3,000, the foundation has made gifts exceeding $25 million. Tailor your request to your organization's capacity and the specific project, not to an assumed grant ceiling.
Three main funding buckets: Structure your application to clearly fit within one of the foundation's three primary areas: education, healthcare/medical research, or Catholic organizations.
Rolling applications reduce time pressure: With no formal deadlines, you can take time to craft a strong application. However, this also means competition is ongoing year-round.

References

Research conducted December 23, 2025

Thomas And Dorothy Leavey Foundation