The Tom and Frances Leach Foundation, named in honor of its benefactors Tom and Frances Leach, is deeply committed to enhancing the quality of life in communities by funding organizations that offer innovative and effective solutions to current and systemic societal issues. Inspired by Frances Leach’s belief in the joy of giving, the Foundation emphasizes philanthropy that fosters meaningful, lasting change. It aims to support vibrant, healthy communities where people are empowered to pursue their aspirations and positively impact the world around them.
The Foundation primarily supports nonprofit organizations through various funding mechanisms, including direct program support, general operating grants, capital campaigns, scholarships, and endowments. It offers both single-year and multi-year funding. Its grantmaking is predominantly directed toward initiatives within the Bismarck-Mandan area and Western North Dakota, underscoring a strong commitment to local impact.
Applications must be submitted through Submittable, an online grant management portal. Applicants are required to create a free Submittable account and submit a complete application along with all required appendices. The Foundation no longer accepts paper applications. Interim reports are required annually from multi-year grantees, and new applications are only accepted from these organizations once final installment payments have been received.
Each proposal is reviewed by the Grant Coordinator, who may reach out for additional details before summarizing the application and providing a recommendation to the board of directors. Evaluation criteria include alignment with funding priorities, the organization's capacity to execute the proposed project without duplication of existing services, the project's relevance to identified community needs, and its potential to generate measurable positive outcomes.
Applications must be submitted by July 1, 2026, at 1:00 AM ET. Decisions are generally made during the Foundation’s annual board meeting in November, with award notifications issued via email within three weeks. Approved grant funds are typically disbursed by December 31 of the same year. For questions, applicants may contact the Foundation’s Grant Coordinator by email at leachfoundation@outlook.com or by phone at 701-255-0479.
Eligibility is limited to nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status as recognized by the IRS. The Foundation does not provide funding to individuals, for-profit businesses, or organizations lacking a Federal Tax ID Number.
Address alignment with Foundation priorities; avoid duplicating existing services; clarify measurable impact
