Since it was created in 1991, the Leichtag Family Foundation has awarded more than $40 million in grants to more than 100 organizations.
Some have received modest, targeted grants in support of a particular effort, while others have received multiple grants spanning several years.
“The $12 million grant we gave to UCSD marks the foundation's largest single grant and promises to have a wide-ranging impact for decades to come,” said James S. Farley, president and CEO of the foundation. “The grant funds the efforts of some of our country's most talented research scientists as they strive to find solutions to childhood diseases.”
The Carlsbad Business Journal sat down with Farley to learn more about the foundation and some of the organizations it has awarded grants to.
CBJ: When was the foundation founded and what was the inspiration behind it?
Farley: It was established in 1991 by Max “Lee” Leichtag and Andre “Toni” Leichtag, along with the involvement of their daughter, Joli Ann. The foundation was established with proceeds from the 1991 sale of the Leichtag's business, which manufactured generic drugs. Caring for people in need and improving their community were strong Leichtag family values. Having achieved financial success, Lee and Toni were committed to sharing their largesse in ways that would have a meaningful impact on the lives of others in the Jewish community, the San Diego region, especially North County, and worldwide.
CBJ: What is the foundation's mission?
Farley: The foundation strives to alleviate human hardship, advance self-sufficiency and promote tolerance and understanding, reflecting the Leichtag's pride in their Jewish heritage. A self-made man, Lee was known to joke that the impetus for his success was “fear of poverty,” but he took philanthropy seriously. “My family has been blessed with good fortune. We are delighted to return the favor,” Lee once said. He was proud to note: “Our family has risen from having our names on welfare rolls to having our names on buildings we've helped create.” Those buildings include the Leichtag Family Foundation Campus at Seacrest Village Retirement Communities in Encinitas, Leichtag Biomedical Research Building at UCSD in La Jolla and Joli Ann Leichtag Elementary School in San Marcos.
CBJ: What types of programs do you provide grants to?
Farley: Our foundation doesn't accept unsolicited proposals and our board makes all decisions regarding appropriations. We contract with the Jewish Community Foundation of San Diego to manage the grant-making process. We primarily fund proposals that fit within its three areas of interest: Alleviating human hardship, advancing self-sufficiency and promoting tolerance and understanding. We also make grants intended to grow community here in North County. For example, we support the Carlsbad Charitable Foundation, which in turn supports philanthropic efforts in Carlsbad.
CBJ: What is unique about the foundation?
Farley: We enhance the lives of real people in genuine ways. A $100,000 grant supported the 2008 production of “We Must Remember,” a powerful film documenting the process of 16 Carlsbad High School students learning about the Holocaust. The film focuses on firsthand accounts from survivors, liberators and witnesses, as well as the filmmakers' life-changing journey of creating the documentary. “We Must Remember” has earned widespread recognition and will become part of a curriculum available to middle school students around the country.
CBJ: How do you measure success?
Farley: One significant measure is our impact upon the future: Our children and grandchildren. This year's grant to the Museum of Making Music funds the creation of a wonderful music program for underserved youngsters in a shelter and transition home operated by the Women's Resource Center. We also make impacts at the opposite end of the age spectrum by supporting San Diego Hospice.
CBJ: What do you see for the future of the foundation?
Farley: Our board is committed to sustaining the Leichtag's legacy of visionary philanthropy. In light of my longstanding, close personal and professional relationship with Lee and Toni, I see my stewardship of the foundation as a sacred trust. Being able to better people's lives is a profound privilege, and a huge responsibility. On behalf of the board, and in honor of the Leichtags, I hope to set the framework for decades of meaningful giving.
The Leichtag Foundation:
5800 Armada Drive, Ste. 100, Carlsbad
(760) 431-7949 | www.leichtag.org
Some have received modest, targeted grants in support of a particular effort, while others have received multiple grants spanning several years.
“The $12 million grant we gave to UCSD marks the foundation's largest single grant and promises to have a wide-ranging impact for decades to come,” said James S. Farley, president and CEO of the foundation. “The grant funds the efforts of some of our country's most talented research scientists as they strive to find solutions to childhood diseases.”
The Carlsbad Business Journal sat down with Farley to learn more about the foundation and some of the organizations it has awarded grants to.
CBJ: When was the foundation founded and what was the inspiration behind it?
Farley: It was established in 1991 by Max “Lee” Leichtag and Andre “Toni” Leichtag, along with the involvement of their daughter, Joli Ann. The foundation was established with proceeds from the 1991 sale of the Leichtag's business, which manufactured generic drugs. Caring for people in need and improving their community were strong Leichtag family values. Having achieved financial success, Lee and Toni were committed to sharing their largesse in ways that would have a meaningful impact on the lives of others in the Jewish community, the San Diego region, especially North County, and worldwide.
CBJ: What is the foundation's mission?
Farley: The foundation strives to alleviate human hardship, advance self-sufficiency and promote tolerance and understanding, reflecting the Leichtag's pride in their Jewish heritage. A self-made man, Lee was known to joke that the impetus for his success was “fear of poverty,” but he took philanthropy seriously. “My family has been blessed with good fortune. We are delighted to return the favor,” Lee once said. He was proud to note: “Our family has risen from having our names on welfare rolls to having our names on buildings we've helped create.” Those buildings include the Leichtag Family Foundation Campus at Seacrest Village Retirement Communities in Encinitas, Leichtag Biomedical Research Building at UCSD in La Jolla and Joli Ann Leichtag Elementary School in San Marcos.
CBJ: What types of programs do you provide grants to?
Farley: Our foundation doesn't accept unsolicited proposals and our board makes all decisions regarding appropriations. We contract with the Jewish Community Foundation of San Diego to manage the grant-making process. We primarily fund proposals that fit within its three areas of interest: Alleviating human hardship, advancing self-sufficiency and promoting tolerance and understanding. We also make grants intended to grow community here in North County. For example, we support the Carlsbad Charitable Foundation, which in turn supports philanthropic efforts in Carlsbad.
CBJ: What is unique about the foundation?
Farley: We enhance the lives of real people in genuine ways. A $100,000 grant supported the 2008 production of “We Must Remember,” a powerful film documenting the process of 16 Carlsbad High School students learning about the Holocaust. The film focuses on firsthand accounts from survivors, liberators and witnesses, as well as the filmmakers' life-changing journey of creating the documentary. “We Must Remember” has earned widespread recognition and will become part of a curriculum available to middle school students around the country.
CBJ: How do you measure success?
Farley: One significant measure is our impact upon the future: Our children and grandchildren. This year's grant to the Museum of Making Music funds the creation of a wonderful music program for underserved youngsters in a shelter and transition home operated by the Women's Resource Center. We also make impacts at the opposite end of the age spectrum by supporting San Diego Hospice.
CBJ: What do you see for the future of the foundation?
Farley: Our board is committed to sustaining the Leichtag's legacy of visionary philanthropy. In light of my longstanding, close personal and professional relationship with Lee and Toni, I see my stewardship of the foundation as a sacred trust. Being able to better people's lives is a profound privilege, and a huge responsibility. On behalf of the board, and in honor of the Leichtags, I hope to set the framework for decades of meaningful giving.
The Leichtag Foundation:
5800 Armada Drive, Ste. 100, Carlsbad
(760) 431-7949 | www.leichtag.org