The Leo Buscaglia Foundation is a public 501 (c)(3) foundation, formed in 1984 to support activities dedicated to fostering the spirit of giving.
Organizations seeking funding must demonstrate how their project will encourage the spirit of giving; specifically by describing how those individuals being helped will go on to help others.
Where this is not possible, organizations with a significant volunteer component are favored. This may take a variety of forms.
How To Apply
- Please review the funding criteria below to be certain your organization meets the goals of the Foundation.
- Please provide a detailed, thorough description of purpose, goals and intent of your request, as well as the origin of the idea.
- A brief statement or outline of the strategies that will be implemented to reach these goals.
- A clear statement about how the project and the organization’s mission relate to the Leo Buscaglia Foundation’s mission to encourage the spirit of giving in others. This is essential.
- Background and qualifications of persons intending to carry out the project.
- While not required, providing anecdotal stories involving the project’s participants are encouraged.
- Please download and complete the Grant Proposal Summary Form.
- Include these support documents in your package:
- Project budget, total organization budget (including anticipated revenues and expenses) and mention of other funding sources.
- Your most recent full year income and expense reports and balance sheet.
- A copy of the organization’s 501 (c)(3) letter from the IRS.
- A list of your current Board of Directors.
- A copy of your latest federal tax return
- Please submit your proposal (with summary form and support documents) to the Leo Buscaglia Foundation, P.O. Box 265, Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274. Please also email a copy to info@leobuscaglia.org.
Funding Criteria
The Foundation particularly encourages work relating to:
- The Arts and Humanities
- Health and Human Services
- Education
Other areas can be considered, provided they are directed toward encouraging the spirit of giving. Please review the Reports to Contributors section for a list of some of our previous grant recipients.
At the time of application, organizations must have obtained 501 (C)(3) status and been fully operational for at least one year. Fiscally sponsored organizations will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
In general, organizations should have annual revenues of less than $1,000,000 but more than $50,000.
For the immediate future, organizations based in California will be given priority.
The foremost factor in determining a grant is how the project reflects the specific goals of the applicant and the purpose of the Leo Buscaglia Foundation. No grants will be made to individuals or for endowment or capital campaigns.
Selection Process
Grant requests are evaluated by the Foundation Board twice a year: usually in February and September. Applicants will be notified of the Board’s decision within two weeks of the meeting.
Second grant requests will be considered once, after a two year waiting period.
Progress Reports
A progress report will be expected from grant recipients after six months but before the end of the first year following receipt of the grant. Subsequent reports may take the form of a letter, newsletter, email updates, etc. Digital photographs of participants and activities are requested along with an electronic version of the organization’s logo.