The Dean & Margaret Lesher Foundation enhances the quality of life in Contra Costa County, California, through charitable giving to support education, the arts, and children & families.

Due to the volatile economic conditions impacting both our nation and our community, the Dean & Margaret Lesher Foundation has carefully considered how best to support our nonprofit partners in this difficult time. Effective immediately and continuing throughout 2009, the foundation will accept grant proposals only from those nonprofit organizations which it is currently funding or has funded in the past. Our board and staff feel strongly that our role in this time of uncertainty is to continue working with our existing partners and not branch out to new programs and projects. As such, grant proposals from nonprofit organizations that have never received funding from the Lesher Foundation will not be reviewed for funding in our 2009 application cycles.

Since 1994, the Dean & Margaret Lesher Foundation has awarded grants totaling more than $35 million and reaching citizens in all parts of Contra Costa County. True to the original wishes of Dean and Margaret Lesher, the Foundation continues to build on the strengths of the community by supporting organizations and programs that provide help and support to people in need; enhance and enrich the lives of all citizens; and promote a healthy and exciting future for the community.

Established in 1989, the Foundation received its principal assets from Dean Lesher's estate in 1993 and 1995. In 1997, an additional endowment from Dean Lesher's estate followed the death of Margaret Lesher. A significant and final bequest from Mr. Lesher's estate was received in 2003.

  

As a family foundation, support for the Contra Costa community will be carried on by the next generation of family members. Grant-making decisions are based on the vision of Dean and Margaret Lesher who felt quality education, diverse art programs, and healthy children and families are the building blocks of a strong and vibrant community. The Leshers defined the "spirit of giving" as "investing in the community and its people." By providing financial support and direction in these critical areas, the Dean & Margaret Lesher Foundation is investing every day, every week and every year in the health and well-being of this county that Dean and Margaret so loved.