At Levi Strauss & Co., we believe that business can and should be a force for good. That’s why each year we invest a portion of our profits into the work of the Levi Strauss Foundation (LSF) to advance the rights and well-being of underserved people in places where we do business.
Since its founding in 1952, LSF has embraced the energy and events of its time through corporate philanthropy, tackling some of society’s most pressing injustices. LSF proudly continues this legacy through grantmaking championing its four core program areas of democracy, immigrant rights, reproductive justice and apparel worker rights and well-being.
Today, LSF published its 2024 Year in Review report, which outlines the foundation’s work over the past year to achieve these goals.
Here are some of the highlights from 2024:
- LSF focused on providing larger, more flexible grants to better support nonprofit partners and the communities they serve. The foundation increased its average grant size by 11% and grew its provision of general operating support — i.e., unrestricted funding for a nonprofit’s overarching mission, versus a specific project or program — to 89%.
- LSF’s U.S. funding prioritized promoting democratic participation through voter registration, polling, community organizing and more. This work spanned the foundation’s democracy, immigrant rights, and reproductive justice grantmaking and supported 31 nonprofits promoting civic awareness and engagement among historically disenfranchised communities.
- LSF expanded its support for grants that work across various causes. Philanthropy often operates in a siloed fashion, with grants focusing on one cause versus multiple. Funding efforts that bridge silos and unite diverse constituencies around shared goals allows LSF to advance unique solutions that drive progress.
“We are deeply proud of the initiatives we helped advance with our grantees last year. This progress marked a critical step forward toward a more just and abundant world for everyone,” said Fatima Angeles, LSF’s executive director. “Advancing social change has always been challenging, but the foundation is committed to working with our grantees to protect progress and collect durable wins — keeping our long-game focus on social justice for all.”
For more information about LSF’s work, including details on grantees, check out the full 2024 Year in Review report.
Hero image by Sonaksha Iyengar.
