Leon and Mary Strauss Charitable Foundation
Preselected recipients only
Leon and Mary Strauss Charitable Foundation is a private foundation in St Louis, Missouri. In tax year 2025 it gave $399,750 in 59 grants; the typical grant was $5,000 and the largest $40,000. 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$399,750
- Number of grants59
- Typical grant$5,000
- Largest grant$40,000
- Assets$6.4 million
- New grantees63%
Giving in 2025 was up from $266,700 the year before.
63% 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 | $290,300 | 86 | $5.6 million |
| 2024 | $266,700 | 34 | $6.3 million |
| 2025 | $399,750 | 59 | $6.4 million |
How to apply
Leon and Mary Strauss Charitable Foundation 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 Leon and Mary Strauss Charitable Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 7 states, the most to Missouri.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri | 50 | $366,500 |
| District of Columbia | 2 | $16,750 |
| Illinois | 3 | $12,500 |
| Georgia | 1 | $1,000 |
| New York | 1 | $1,000 |
| Oklahoma | 1 | $1,000 |
| Tennessee | 1 | $1,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Coca | General charitable purposes | $40,000 |
| New Jewish Theatre | General charitable purposes | $31,000 |
| Dance St Louis | General charitable purposes | $25,000 |
| Nine PBS | General charitable purposes | $25,000 |
| St Louis Ballet | General charitable purposes | $25,000 |
| St Louis Zoo | General charitable purposes | $25,000 |
| Stages St Louis | General charitable purposes | $25,000 |
| French American Cultural Foundation | General charitable purposes | $15,750 |
| Fox Performing Arts Charitable Foundation | General charitable purposes | $13,500 |
| Cinema St Louis | General charitable purposes | $10,000 |
| Foundation for Barnes Jewish Hospital | General charitable purposes | $10,000 |
| Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum | General charitable purposes | $10,000 |
| St Louis Symphony Orchestra | General charitable purposes | $10,000 |
| Tennessee Williams Festival | General charitable purposes | $10,000 |
| Animal Protective Association | General charitable purposes | $5,000 |
| Chamber Music Society STL | General charitable purposes | $5,000 |
| Pound Pets | General charitable purposes | $5,000 |
| Gateway Center for Performing Arts | General charitable purposes | $5,000 |
| Gateway Pet Guardians | General charitable purposes | $5,000 |
| Humane Society of Mo | General charitable purposes | $5,000 |
| Jefferson County Pet Food Pantry | General charitable purposes | $5,000 |
| Open Door Animal Sanctuary | General charitable purposes | $5,000 |
| Opera Theatre - St Louis | General charitable purposes | $5,000 |
| Operation Spot | General charitable purposes | $5,000 |
| St Louis Art Museum Foundation | General charitable purposes | $5,000 |
| St Louis Feral Cat Outreach | General charitable purposes | $5,000 |
| Stray Dog Theatre | General charitable purposes | $5,000 |
| Stray Rescue | General charitable purposes | $5,000 |
| The Goode Life Rescue | General charitable purposes | $5,000 |
| The J STL Jewish Community Center | General charitable purposes | $5,000 |
| Winter Opera | General charitable purposes | $5,000 |
| Circus Harmony | General charitable purposes | $2,500 |
| Classic 1073 | General charitable purposes | $2,500 |
| Full Circle Mo Feral | General charitable purposes | $2,500 |
| Memory Care Home Solutions | General charitable purposes | $2,500 |
| Salvation Army | General charitable purposes | $2,500 |
| Washington University in Saint Louis | General charitable purposes | $2,500 |
| Day Spring Arts and Education | General charitable purposes | $2,000 |
| St Louis Area Foodbank | General charitable purposes | $2,000 |
| Meds and Food for Kids | General charitable purposes | $1,500 |
Officers and trustees
- Mary Strauss
- Patricia Vogelsang
Questions people ask
Does Leon and Mary Strauss Charitable Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Leon and Mary Strauss Charitable Foundation give?
$399,750 in tax year 2025, across 59 grants, with a typical grant of $5,000.
Who runs Leon and Mary Strauss Charitable Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Mary Strauss (Trustee) and Patricia Vogelsang (Trustee).
What does Leon and Mary Strauss Charitable Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly arts and culture, animals and faith communities.