The Lef Foundation
Accepts applications
The Lef Foundation is a private foundation in Belmont, Massachusetts. In tax year 2024 it gave $584,600 in 56 grants; the typical grant was $3,750 and the largest $75,000. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2024.
- Grants paid, 2024$584,600
- Number of grants56
- Typical grant$3,750
- Largest grant$75,000
- Assets$9.6 million
- New grantees75%
Giving in 2024 was up from $499,500 the year before.
75% of its 2024 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $550,000 | 74 | $9.9 million |
| 2023 | $499,500 | 51 | $10.1 million |
| 2024 | $584,600 | 56 | $9.6 million |
How to apply
| Contact | Genevieve Carmel PO Box 382066, Cambridge, MA 02238 |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | (617) 492-5333, gen@lef-foundation.org |
| What to submit | Guidelines lef invests in documentary film and video projects that demonstrate excellence in technique, originality of vision and voice, and creativity in form. The strongest proposals will be those that clearly articulate the ways in which the proposed project aligns with the program's funding criteria. Funding criteria quality of cinematic form and technique originality of filmmaker's voice, vision, and point of view resonance and power of the film's core idea or story feasibility of production. Eligibility projects must be long format; running times of 40 minutes or more. Primary creative personnel (director and/or producer) must reside in new england. Projects with directors or producers enrolled in high school, undergraduate or master's degree prpgra,s at the time of application are ineligible. Multi-channel or installation work will not be considered. Applicants are no longer required to have a fiscal sponsor. |
| Deadlines | Production & post-production letter of inquiry deadline friday, january 20, 2025. |
| Restrictions | See 2B above |
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What The Lef Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 15 states, the most to New York.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| New York | 9 | $162,500 |
| Massachusetts | 9 | $153,500 |
| California | 15 | $130,100 |
| Maine | 2 | $44,000 |
| Illinois | 1 | $25,000 |
| New Mexico | 8 | $22,000 |
| Rhode Island | 1 | $10,000 |
| District of Columbia | 2 | $6,500 |
| Vermont | 1 | $6,000 |
| Colorado | 2 | $5,000 |
Grants paid in 2024
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Uniondocs | Funds in support of milton guilln's project my skin and i as part of the fsc-lef fellowship | $75,000 |
| Filmmakers Collaborative Inc | General support of filmmakers | $50,000 |
| Center for Independent Documentary Inc | Funding for the following:unrestricted gift in support of center for independent documentary, and independent works by siobhan landry, carolina borras, brooke sais, and the completion of "the dreamers and i" | $45,000 |
| Points North Institute | A grant in support of the lef/ciff fellowship | $40,000 |
| Individual | $32,500 | |
| Color Congress | Funds in support of color congress's work to strengthen bipoc-led media organizations (1 of 2) | $25,000 |
| Individual | $25,000 | |
| Individual | $25,000 | |
| Documentary Educational Resources Inc | Unrestricted gift in support of documentary educational resources | $25,000 |
| Individual | $25,000 | |
| Individual | $20,000 | |
| Individual | $15,000 | |
| Individual | $15,000 | |
| Museum of Ceramic Artsny | Program support of the work of the museum of ceramic arts/ new york | $11,000 |
| Flahertyinternational Film Seminars | In support of 2 fellowships at the 2024 flaherty seminar, and general operating/staffing expenses. | $10,000 |
| Rhode Island School of Design | Program support of the architectural department | $10,000 |
| Roots and Branches Conservancy | Program support of roots and branches programs | $10,000 |
| American Civil Liberties Union | Program support of the aclu's civil rights work | $7,000 |
| Massachusetts Production Coalition Inc | General support of film production | $6,000 |
| Cerf | Program support of craft emergency relief fund/ cerf+ | $6,000 |
| Leopold Writing Program | Program support of the writing residency at the leopold writing program | $6,000 |
| Everson Museum of Arts | Program support of arts | $5,500 |
| Individual | $5,000 | |
| Calistoga Cares Food Bank Inc | Program support of the calistoga cares food bank | $5,000 |
| Individual | $5,000 | |
| Doctors Without Borders | General support of doctors without borders work in palestine | $4,000 |
| Mercy Corp - National Processing | Program support of mercy corps relief efforts | $4,000 |
| Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts | Support of the watershed center for the ceramic arts | $4,000 |
| Global Giving | Program support of global giving's relief work | $3,500 |
| Progress Unity Fund | Program support of the progress unity fund's organizing activities | $3,000 |
| Yucca Valley Material Lab | Program support of the work of the yucca valley material lamb | $3,000 |
| American Indian Science and Engineering | Program support of the american indian science and engineering society | $3,000 |
| American Indian Services | Program support of american indian services | $3,000 |
| Food Bank of the Rockies | Program support of the food bank of the rockies | $3,000 |
| Hawaii Community Foundation | Maui strong relief fund at the hawaii community foundation | $3,000 |
| International Documentary Association | Program support the archival producers alliance at ciff 2024 | $3,000 |
| Mausa | Program support of mausa's relief work in gaza | $3,000 |
| New Mexico Habitat for Humanity | Program support of new mexico habitat for humanity | $3,000 |
| Roadrunner Food Bank | Program support of roadrunner food bank | $3,000 |
| World Central Kitchen | Program support of world central kitchen's relief work in gaza | $3,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Lauren Finneran
- Sarah Treeson
- Byron Kuth
- Lyda Kuth
Questions people ask
Does The Lef Foundation accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications, with this on deadlines: Production & post-production letter of inquiry deadline friday, january 20, 2025.
How much does The Lef Foundation give?
$584,600 in tax year 2024, across 56 grants, with a typical grant of $3,750.
Who runs The Lef Foundation?
Its 2024 filing lists Lauren Finneran (Director), Sarah Treeson (Director), Byron Kuth (Vice President/Treasurer) and Lyda Kuth (President).
What does The Lef Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly arts and culture, education and human services.