The Leon and Mary Strauss Charitable Foundation appears to make targeted, local philanthropic gifts focused on community cultural institutions. Its only reported grant is a substantial contribution to COCA (Center of Creative Arts) in St. Louis, suggesting an interest in supporting arts programming and arts education at a local level. The grant was designated for general charitable purposes, indicating flexibility to support operating needs.
Highly concentrated: a single, relatively large one-off grant to a local arts organization; appears to favor general operating support rather than program‑restricted funding.
Leon and Mary Strauss Charitable Foundation’s most distinctive recent pattern is a steady stream of general-charitable-purpose gifts to St. Louis arts organizations, led by a $40,000 grant in 2024 to Coca for general charitable purposes. The foundation’s recent giving also includes repeated support for Fox Performing Arts Charitable Foundation, Nine Network, Dance St Louis, and St Louis Symphony Orchestra, which points to a local portfolio centered on cultural institutions rather than a single program area. Grants are framed broadly, and several recipients appear in multiple years, suggesting ongoing relationships rather than isolated awards. The foundation also funds organizations beyond the performing arts, including St Louis University, the St Louis Art Museum Foundation, and Foundation for Barnes Jewish Hospital, all labeled for general charitable purposes. That mix shows a local grantmaker that supports arts, education, health-related institutions, and selected community nonprofits through unrestricted or broadly designated gifts. Its grant sizes range from modest checks to larger awards, but the overall pattern is one of concentrated local support for organizations with visible community presence in the St. Louis area.
The foundation’s clearest cause area is the arts. In 2024 it gave $20,000 to St Louis Ballet and another $20,000 to Stages St Louis, both for general charitable purposes, alongside $10,000 to St Louis Symphony Orchestra. It also supported dance, film, and interdisciplinary programming through grants to Dance St Louis, Cinema St Louis, and Cabaret Project of St Louis. A second theme is arts access and education. The grant to Community Music School -Webster University was for general charitable purposes, and Circus Harmony received support in both 2023 and 2024, indicating continued attention to youth-facing arts programming. The portfolio also includes community-serving nonprofits outside the arts. Jefferson County Pet Food Pantry and Food Outreach each received general-charitable-purpose funding, and Foundation for Barnes Jewish Hospital was funded in both 2023 and 2024. Those awards show flexibility across cultural, human services, and institutional support.
$400K
$4.5M
$1.2M
$462K
Most grants fall between $1K and $5K, with a median of $1K.
25th Percentile
$1K
Median
$1K
75th Percentile
$5K
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Notable grantees: COCA (Center of Creative Arts)
Typical grant size is tightly clustered: the 25th percentile and median are both $1,000, while the 75th percentile is $5,000. That points to many small awards, with a smaller set of larger gifts such as the $40,000 grant to Coca. The recent list shows recurring support across years for several recipients, including Coca, Nine Network, Foundation for Barnes Jewish Hospital, Dance St Louis, Circus Harmony, St Louis Art Museum Foundation, Jefferson County Pet Food Pantry, Goode Life Pet Rescue, and the Humane Society of Missouri. The foundation is not reported to fund individuals and does not make program-related investments. The grants shown are all labeled general charitable purposes, indicating flexible support rather than project-specific funding.
The grantmaking is highly concentrated in Missouri, with 90% of grants going to recipients in the foundation’s headquarters state. St Louis appears repeatedly across the recent grants list, along with Chesterfield, House Springs, and Herculaneum in Missouri. Outside Missouri, the recent list includes one grant to Food Outreach in Des Moines, Iowa. The country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 120 grants to U.S. recipients.
Recent grants show support for arts and cultural organizations, human-services groups, and local institutions. Examples include St Louis Ballet, St Louis Symphony Orchestra, Community Music School -Webster University, Foundation for Barnes Jewish Hospital, Jefferson County Pet Food Pantry, and Humane Society of Missouri, all funded for general charitable purposes.
Yes. 90% of grants go to recipients in Missouri, and the recent grants list is centered on St Louis and nearby Missouri communities such as Chesterfield, House Springs, and Herculaneum. The only non-Missouri recipient in the recent list is Food Outreach in Des Moines, Iowa.
The grant-size distribution is small overall: the 25th percentile is $1,000, the median is $1,000, and the 75th percentile is $5,000. Recent awards also include larger gifts such as $20,000 and $40,000, but most grants cluster at lower levels.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Coca, Nine Network, Foundation for Barnes Jewish Hospital, Dance St Louis, Circus Harmony, St Louis Art Museum Foundation, Jefferson County Pet Food Pantry, Goode Life Pet Rescue, and the Humane Society of Missouri.
The recent grants are labeled general charitable purposes. That pattern appears across arts, education, health-related, and community organizations, which suggests flexible support rather than narrow project-specific awards.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COCA | ST LOUIS, MO | $40,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| NEW JEWISH THEATRE | ST LOUIS, MO | $31,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| ST LOUIS ZOO | ST LOUIS, MO | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| STAGES ST LOUIS | CHESTERFIELD, MO | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| ST LOUIS BALLET | CHESTERFIELD, MO | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| DANCE ST LOUIS | ST LOUIS, MO | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| NINE PBS | ST LOUIS, MO | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| FRENCH AMERICAN CULTURAL FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $15,750 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| FOX PERFORMING ARTS CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | ST LOUIS, MO | $13,500 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| TENNESSEE WILLIAMS FESTIVAL | ST LOUIS, MO | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| FOUNDATION FOR BARNES JEWISH HOSPITAL | ST LOUIS, MO | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| KAPLAN FELDMAN HOLOCAUST MUSEUM | ST LOUIS, MO | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| ST LOUIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | ST LOUIS, MO | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| CINEMA ST LOUIS | ST LOUIS, MO | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| GATEWAY CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS | WEBSTER GROVES, MO | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| ST LOUIS ART MUSEUM FOUNDATION | ST LOUIS, MO | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY STL | ST LOUIS, MO | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| THE J STL JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER | ST LOUIS, MO | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| ANIMAL PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATION | ST LOUIS, MO | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| STRAY DOG THEATRE | ST LOUIS, MO | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| GATEWAY PET GUARDIANS | EAST ST LOUIS, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| ST LOUIS FERAL CAT OUTREACH | ST LOUIS, MO | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| OPEN DOOR ANIMAL SANCTUARY | HOUSE SPRINGS, MO | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| OPERA THEATRE - ST LOUIS | ST LOUIS, MO | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| JEFFERSON COUNTY PET FOOD PANTRY | HOUSE SPRINGS, MO | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| WINTER OPERA | CREVE COEUR, MO | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| STRAY RESCUE | ST LOUIS, MO | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| HUMANE SOCIETY OF MO | ST LOUIS, MO | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| THE GOODE LIFE RESCUE | DESOTO, MO | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| OPERATION SPOT | ST LOUIS, MO | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| POUND PETS | GRANITE CITY, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| CIRCUS HARMONY | FLORISSANT, MO | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| SALVATION ARMY | DES PLAINES, IL | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN SAINT LOUIS | ST LOUIS, MO | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| FULL CIRCLE MO FERAL | ST LOUIS, MO | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| CLASSIC 1073 | ST LOUIS, MO | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| MEMORY CARE HOME SOLUTIONS | ST LOUIS, MO | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| ST LOUIS AREA FOODBANK | BRIDGETON, MO | $2,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| DAY SPRING ARTS AND EDUCATION | MARYLAND HEIGHTS, MO | $2,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| MEDS AND FOOD FOR KIDS | ST LOUIS, MO | $1,500 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| FOREST PARK FOREVER | ST LOUIS, MO | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| MO BOTANICAL GARDENS | ST LOUIS, MO | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| ST JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL INC | MEMPHIS, TN | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| THE SHELDON | ST LOUIS, MO | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| THE BACH SOCIETY OF ST LOUIS | ST LOUIS, MO | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| CARE | ATLANTA, GA | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| ST LOUIS VISIONARY AWARDS | ST LOUIS, MO | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD | ST LOUIS, MO | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| FEED THE CHILDREN | OKLAHOMA CITY, OK | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| CONTEMPORARY ART MUSEUM | ST LOUIS, MO | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
COCA
$40,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
NEW JEWISH THEATRE
$31,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
ST LOUIS BALLET
$25,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
DANCE ST LOUIS
$25,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
NINE PBS
$25,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
FRENCH AMERICAN CULTURAL FOUNDATION
$15,750GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
FOX PERFORMING ARTS CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
$13,500GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
TENNESSEE WILLIAMS FESTIVAL
$10,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
KAPLAN FELDMAN HOLOCAUST MUSEUM
$10,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
GATEWAY CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS
$5,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY STL
$5,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
THE J STL JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER
$5,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
ST LOUIS FERAL CAT OUTREACH
$5,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
OPEN DOOR ANIMAL SANCTUARY
$5,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
OPERA THEATRE - ST LOUIS
$5,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
JEFFERSON COUNTY PET FOOD PANTRY
$5,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
WINTER OPERA
$5,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
STRAY RESCUE
$5,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
HUMANE SOCIETY OF MO
$5,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
THE GOODE LIFE RESCUE
$5,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
OPERATION SPOT
$5,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
POUND PETS
$5,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
CIRCUS HARMONY
$2,500GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
SALVATION ARMY
$2,500GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
FULL CIRCLE MO FERAL
$2,500GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
CLASSIC 1073
$2,500GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
MEMORY CARE HOME SOLUTIONS
$2,500GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
DAY SPRING ARTS AND EDUCATION
$2,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
FOREST PARK FOREVER
$1,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
MO BOTANICAL GARDENS
$1,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
THE SHELDON
$1,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
THE BACH SOCIETY OF ST LOUIS
$1,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
ST LOUIS VISIONARY AWARDS
$1,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES