How to apply
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… Contact: Genevieve Carmel, Po Box 382066, Cambridge, Ma, 6174925333, GEN@LEF-FOUNDATION.ORG Deadlines: Production & post-production letter of inquiry deadline friday, january 20, 2025. Restrictions: See 2b above
Quoted from Part XV of the foundation's 2024 Form 990-PF; the full text is in the filing. Confirm on the foundation's website before you write.
Grants paid in 2024
Top 44 of 56 grants by amount · from Form 990-PF Part XV
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| UniondocsRidgewood, NY | Funds in support of milton guilln's project my skin and i as part of the fsc-lef fellowship | $75K |
| Filmmakers Collaborative IncSan Francisco, CA | General support of filmmakers | $50K |
| Center for Independent Documentary IncSharon, MA | Funding for the following:unrestricted gift in support of center for independent documentary, and independent works by siobhan landry, caro… | $45K |
| Points North InstituteCamden, ME | A grant in support of the lef/ciff fellowship | $40K |
| Color CongressOakland, CA | Funds in support of color congress's work to strengthen bipoc-led media organizations (1 of 2) | $25K |
| Documentary Educational Resources IncWatertown, MA | Unrestricted gift in support of documentary educational resources | $25K |
| Museum of Ceramic ArtsnyNew York, NY | Program support of the work of the museum of ceramic arts/ new york | $11K |
| Flahertyinternational Film SeminarsBrooklyn, NY | In support of 2 fellowships at the 2024 flaherty seminar, and general operating/staffing expenses. | $10K |
| Rhode Island School of DesignProvidence, RI | Program support of the architectural department | $10K |
| Roots and Branches ConservancySan Francisco, CA | Program support of roots and branches programs | $10K |
| American Civil Liberties UnionNew York, NY | Program support of the aclu's civil rights work | $7,000 |
| Massachusetts Production Coalition IncCambridge, MA | General support of film production | $6,000 |
| CerfBattleboro, VT | Program support of craft emergency relief fund/ cerf+ | $6,000 |
| Leopold Writing ProgramAlbuquerque, NM | Program support of the writing residency at the leopold writing program | $6,000 |
| Everson Museum of ArtsSyracuse, NY | Program support of arts | $5,500 |
| Calistoga Cares Food Bank IncCalistoga, CA | Program support of the calistoga cares food bank | $5,000 |
| Doctors Without BordersNew York, NY | General support of doctors without borders work in palestine | $4,000 |
| Mercy Corp - National ProcessingBoone, IA | Program support of mercy corps relief efforts | $4,000 |
| Watershed Center for the Ceramic ArtsNewcastle, ME | Support of the watershed center for the ceramic arts | $4,000 |
| Global GivingWashington, DC | Program support of global giving's relief work | $3,500 |
| Progress Unity FundSan Francisco, CA | Program support of the progress unity fund's organizing activities | $3,000 |
| Yucca Valley Material LabYucca Valley, CA | Program support of the work of the yucca valley material lamb | $3,000 |
| American Indian Science and EngineeringAlbuquerque, NM | Program support of the american indian science and engineering society | $3,000 |
| American Indian ServicesLehi, UT | Program support of american indian services | $3,000 |
| Food Bank of the RockiesDenver, CO | Program support of the food bank of the rockies | $3,000 |
| Hawaii Community FoundationHonolulu, HI | Maui strong relief fund at the hawaii community foundation | $3,000 |
| International Documentary AssociationLos Angeles, CA | Program support the archival producers alliance at ciff 2024 | $3,000 |
| MausaMcLean, VA | Program support of mausa's relief work in gaza | $3,000 |
| New Mexico Habitat for HumanityAlbuquerque, NM | Program support of new mexico habitat for humanity | $3,000 |
| Roadrunner Food BankAlbuquerque, NM | Program support of roadrunner food bank | $3,000 |
| World Central KitchenWashington, DC | Program support of world central kitchen's relief work in gaza | $3,000 |
| SparkLarkspur, CA | Funding for larkspur corte madera school district's 2024-25 school year. | $2,600 |
| Independent Film Society of BostonCambridge, MA | A strategic grant in support of the 2024 independent film festival boston | $2,500 |
| Coolidge Corner Theatre Foundation IncBrookline, MA | Work of the theatre's staff on behalf of the new england legacy screenings series. | $2,500 |
| Cove PTO the Cove SchoolCorte Madera, CA | Program support of art displays for the cove school | $2,000 |
| Conservation Colorado Education FundDenver, CO | Program support of the conservation colorado education fund | $2,000 |
| Glbt Historical SocietySan Francisco, CA | Funding of participation in the moving trans history forward conference. | $2,000 |
| New Mexico Land ConservancySanta Fe, NM | Program support of the work of the new mexico land conservancy | $2,000 |
| New Mexico Voices for ChildrenAlbuquerque, NM | Program support of the programming of new mexico voices for children | $2,000 |
| Rio Grande Agricultural Land TrustAlbuquerque, NM | Program support of the rio grande agricultural land trust | $2,000 |
| Southern Utah Wilderness AllianceSouth Salt Lake City, UT | Program support of the southern utah wilderness alliance | $2,000 |
| Vallejo Naval and Historical MuseumVallejo, CA | Program support of the exhibit, a pride of trans posters, from the louise lawrence trans. | $1,500 |
| The Foundation for PsusdPalm Springs, CA | Program support of the kings circle scholarships | $1,500 |
| Outpost Performance SpaceAlbuquerque, NM | Program support of outpost performance space | $1,000 |
By state: New York 9 · Massachusetts 9 · California 15 · Maine 2 · Illinois 1 · New Mexico 8
About this foundation
Lef Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation in Calistoga, California, tax-exempt since 1986. Private foundations must pay out roughly 5% of their assets each year, mostly as grants to 501(c)(3) public charities.
Does Lef Foundation accept grant applications?
Yes. On its 2024 Form 990-PF the foundation indicates it accepts applications. Guidelines lef invests in documentary film and video projects that demonstrate excellence in technique, originality of vision and voice, and creativity in form. Deadlines: Production & post-production letter of inquiry deadline friday, january 20, 2025..
How much does Lef Foundation give each year?
In tax year 2024 it paid $585K across 56 grants, a median of $3,750.
Where does Lef Foundation give?
New York (9 grants), Massachusetts (9 grants), California (15 grants) and elsewhere, per its latest filing.
More foundations near Calistoga that accept applications
All in California| Foundation | Based in | Grants paid | Median grant | Accepts applications | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The E Richard Jones Family Foundationsince 1998 | Calistoga, CA | $540K37 grants · 2024 | $3,000 | Yes | $5.6M |
| William & Flora Hewlett Foundationsince 1968 | Menlo Park, CA | $625M2,001 grants · 2024 | $150K | Yes | $13B |
| David and Lucile Packard Foundationsince 1964 | Los Altos, CA | $350M1,029 grants · 2024 | $150K | Yes | $8.3B |