Program Interests

  • The Leep Family Foundation invests in the health and wellbeing of families and communities. It does so by funding programs and organizations that foster self-reliance and provide access to opportunity for disadvantaged children and families with a particular focus on education (including arts and culture) and youth development.
  • The Foundation’s geographic focus is in Indiana, Iowa, and Michigan.
  • The Foundation focuses on the long-term sustainability and as such, requests projects with a longer turn-around (such as projects 1-2 years out in the future)

Grant Application Guidelines

Applications for grants should include the following information and should be submitted electronically.

  • Purpose of organization and proposed use of grant. If for a new project or position, provide verification of sustainable funding sources for the future.
  • List of officers and board of directors
  • Current financial statement and operating budget (audit and annual report, if available)
  • Copy of letter approving tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3)(from the Internal Revenue Service). No application will be considered without this.

There are no submission deadlines. Each application is reviewed onaquarterly basis. An organization may submit anapplication once in a twelve-month period (one request per organization).

Grants are restricted to tax-exempt, non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations which are not classified as private foundations under section 509(a).

Local, national and international organizations will be accepted.

Each funded request will be required to submit quarterly updates to the Foundation on the ongoing impact of the funding.

Limitations

Grants are not made to

  • individuals
  • businesses
  • or other private foundations, for any purpose.

Grants are not generally made for

  • start-up costs
  • endowment funds
  • deficit financing or loans

Grants are not automatic and cannot be guaranteed from year to year.

Grants are awarded to qualified, tax exempt, non-profit organizations granted 501(c)(3) status by the Internal Revenue Service.

Grants are generally limited to organizations which have

  • been in existence for at least two years
  • demonstrated service to their community
  • have received public support

All non-profit organizations have worthy purposes, and any lack of grant by this foundation should not be interpreted negatively by any organization, the general public, or any other persons.

Recipients of grants must acknowledge receipt of such grants in a timely manner (30 days), in accordance with current IRS guidelines, or be subject to no further consideration of a grant.

The Foundation will not consider any applications for sponsorship of events.

 Grant Requests

Please address all Grants to:

Leep Family Foundation
Attention: Jeannie Verteramo
Gurley Leep Automotive Family
5201 North Grape Road
Mishawaka, IN 46545


Submit Grant Request

Requests should be submitted electronically. Organizations will be advised in writing of the status of their request approximately two weeks after the request has been reviewed at a Meeting of the Trustees.

Due to the volume of requests, the status of any request should not be sought by telephone.