Leighton Foundation Inc
Preselected recipients only
Leighton Foundation Inc is a private foundation in La Jolla, California. In tax year 2025 it gave $569,740 in 45 grants; the typical grant was $12,000 and the largest $30,000. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$569,740
- Number of grants45
- Typical grant$12,000
- Largest grant$30,000
- Assets$8.4 million
- New grantees77%
Giving in 2025 was up from $169,500 the year before.
77% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a sign it is open to new organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $107,000 | 10 | $5.8 million |
| 2024 | $169,500 | 20 | $7.8 million |
| 2025 | $569,740 | 45 | $8.4 million |
How to apply
Leighton Foundation Inc says in its IRS filing that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations, so unsolicited applications are unlikely to be considered. Organizations it funds are usually invited.
What Leighton Foundation Inc funds
Where it gives
All of its grants went to recipients in California.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| California | 45 | $569,740 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Thurgood Marshall Middle School | General funds | $30,000 |
| Scripps Mesa Steam Lab | General funds | $30,000 |
| Formosa Generations of Family Chamber of Mu | General funds | $26,000 |
| SRHS Baseball Booster Club | General funds | $22,700 |
| Ellen Browning Scripps Elementary School (Educational Field Trip) | General funds | $20,000 |
| Marshall Mustang Organization Mmo Science Olympiad | General funds | $20,000 |
| University of California San Digo Foundation Opals | General funds | $20,000 |
| Mirmar Ranch Elementary PTA Violin Ensemble Classes and Special Add Program | General funds | $20,000 |
| SRHS Music Boosters | General funds | $17,500 |
| Ebsjerebak Music Program | General funds | $15,000 |
| Ellen Browning Scripps Elementary School | General funds | $15,000 |
| Marshall Mustang Organization Mmo Theater Program | General funds | $15,000 |
| Scripps Ranch High School | General funds | $15,000 |
| Scripps Ranch Wrestling Booster Club | General funds | $15,000 |
| Highland Ranch Elementary PTA Coding Classes | General funds | $15,000 |
| SRHS Dance Club | General funds | $15,000 |
| Community Montessori Farm Project | General funds | $15,000 |
| Uc San Diego Foundation Opals | General funds | $15,000 |
| Aviara Oaks Middle Orchestra | General funds | $14,200 |
| Valley Elementary School PTA | General funds | $13,400 |
| Dimensions Collaborative School | General funds | $12,660 |
| Chollas Mead Elementary PTA | General funds | $12,000 |
| Jerabek Ffo Elementary Steam Lab | General funds | $12,000 |
| Mason Elementary School | General funds | $11,000 |
| Del Norte High School | General funds | $10,000 |
| California State University San Marcos Scholarship | General funds | $10,000 |
| Campanille Music Festival | General funds | $10,000 |
| Turtleback Elementary School | General funds | $10,000 |
| Hage Elementary School PTA | General funds | $10,000 |
| Teralta Art | General funds | $10,000 |
| Logan Memorial Educational Campus Math Program | General funds | $10,000 |
| San Elijo Middle School Band Booster | General funds | $8,500 |
| Valley Middle Band and Orchestra | General funds | $8,400 |
| Solana Ranch Elementary School National History Day Program | General funds | $8,200 |
| Westview Gold Booster (Westview High School) | General funds | $8,000 |
| Spark Enrichment (Strings Ensemble Workshop) | General funds | $7,500 |
| Spark Enrichment (Music Stands Books Equipment) | General funds | $7,500 |
| Scripps Ranch High School Olympiad Science | General funds | $7,000 |
| Wolverine Athletic Foundation | General funds | $6,800 |
| SRHS Music Boosters | General funds | $6,500 |
Officers and trustees
- Rufina Chen
- Anthony Chen
- Chiu Shan Chen
Questions people ask
Does Leighton Foundation Inc accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Leighton Foundation Inc give?
$569,740 in tax year 2025, across 45 grants, with a typical grant of $12,000.
Who runs Leighton Foundation Inc?
Its 2025 filing lists Rufina Chen (Ceo), Anthony Chen (Secretary) and Chiu Shan Chen (Cfo).
What does Leighton Foundation Inc fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, arts and culture and science and research.