Dean and Margaret Lesher Foundation
Accepts applications
Dean and Margaret Lesher Foundation is a private foundation in Walnut Creek, California. In tax year 2025 it gave $5.3 million in 128 grants; the typical grant was $25,000 and the largest $300,000. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$5.3 million
- Number of grants128
- Typical grant$25,000
- Largest grant$300,000
- Assets$102 million
- New grantees29%
Giving in 2025 was down from $5.5 million the year before.
29% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a mix of repeat and new grantees.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $5.0 million | 125 | $90.8 million |
| 2024 | $5.5 million | 139 | $93.0 million |
| 2025 | $5.3 million | 128 | $102 million |
How to apply
| Contact | Devorah Levine Executive Director 1333 N California Blvd 575, Walnut Creek, CA 94596 |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | (925) 935-9988 |
| What to submit | Provide a letter of inquiry articulating a specific project or program in mind. Submit the letter together with an application that must be obtained from the Foundation. |
| Restrictions | Grants are limited to projects and programs within Contra Costa County. |
What Dean and Margaret Lesher Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 2 states, the most to California.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| California | 127 | $5.3 million |
| District of Columbia | 1 | $6,500 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Food Bank of Contra Costa Solano | FY 23-25 Food Bank General Support | $300,000 |
| Diablo Regional Arts Association | General Support | $285,000 |
| First 5 Contra Costa | Ready Community, Ready Schools, Ready Families | $230,100 |
| Contra Costa Family Justice Allianc | Contra Costa Family Justice Center | $205,000 |
| John Muir Health Foundation | John Muir Cancer Center | $200,000 |
| Friends of the Oakley Library | Capital Grant | $200,000 |
| Meals On Wheels Diablo Region | general operating support | $110,000 |
| Rubicon Programs Inc | Equipping East Bay Communities to Achieve Lasting Mobility | $110,000 |
| City of Walnut Creek | Capital Improvements and Upgrades & Implementing New Strategic Plan | $100,000 |
| STAND For Families Free of Violence | Agency Core Support | $100,000 |
| Individual | General Support | $100,000 |
| Individual | Technology for Success | $97,500 |
| Tandem Partners in Early Learning | Early Learning Innovations in East Contra Costa | $90,000 |
| Bay Area Legal Aid | Contra Costa Legal Safety Net Project | $80,000 |
| Loaves Fishes of Contra Costa | Nourishing Lives in Contra Costa County | $80,000 |
| Village Community Resource Center | Post Pandemic Responsive Programming in East Contra Costa | $80,000 |
| California Symphony Orchestra | General Operations for California Symphony 2022-2024 | $75,000 |
| Meals on Wheels of Contra Costa Inc | Meals for Homebound Elders in Contra Costa County | $75,000 |
| Richmond Community Foundation | Ensuring Opportunity Campaign to End Poverty in Contra Costa | $75,000 |
| The RYSE Center | Rooted and Rysing: Black and Brown Young People Leading in He | $75,000 |
| Individual | Base Camp Capital Campaign; Community & Outdoor Leadership Development for Richmond Youth & | $75,000 |
| We Care Services for Children | We Care Services for Children | $70,000 |
| SHELTER Inc | Preventing and Ending Homelessness for Children, Women, and | $65,000 |
| Individual | Homeless services | $65,000 |
| St Vincent de Paul of Contra Costa | General Operating Support | $60,000 |
| Bay Area Rescue Mission | Love Without Limits Program | $55,000 |
| Individual | Core Programming for Homeless and Abused Women and Children | $55,000 |
| Court Appointed Special Advocates C | Filling the Gaps for Foster Children in Contra Costa County | $50,000 |
| Jewish Family Community Services of | General Support | $50,000 |
| Individual | Environmental Education for Title I Schools in Contra Costa Count | $50,000 |
| Winter Nights Family Shelter Inc | Winter Nights Family Shelter | $50,000 |
| Civicorps | Civicorps Contra Costa County Expansion Project | $50,000 |
| Arts Contra Costa County ARTSCCC | General Operations | $50,000 |
| Individual | Civicorps' Contra Costa County Expansion Project | $50,000 |
| Individual | General support | $50,000 |
| Mission Edge El Timpano | Media designed for CCC Latinos | $50,000 |
| West County Public Educ Fund | General Support | $50,000 |
| Richmond Art Center | General Support | $45,000 |
| Trinity Center Walnut Creek | Transformational Opportunities | $45,000 |
| Ujima Family Recovery Services | General Support | $45,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Jill O'Brien
- Cynthia Lesher
- Stephen Lesher
- David Lesher
- Linda Davis
- Kathleen Odne
- Tim Lesher
- Joseph Lesher
Questions people ask
Does Dean and Margaret Lesher Foundation accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications.
How much does Dean and Margaret Lesher Foundation give?
$5.3 million in tax year 2025, across 128 grants, with a typical grant of $25,000.
Who runs Dean and Margaret Lesher Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Jill O'Brien (Director), Cynthia Lesher (Director), Stephen Lesher (President) and David Lesher (Secretary) among 8 officers and trustees.
What does Dean and Margaret Lesher Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, youth programs and human services.