When I think about the Levi Strauss Foundation (LSF) and our work, I think about commitment, grit and determination. Since our founding in 1952, LSF has navigated a rapidly changing world by remaining true to our mission of championing the most urgent — yet underfunded — issues of the day. As documented in our LSF Year in Review report, we upheld our legacy in 2025 by funding organizations advancing democracy, immigrant rights, reproductive justice and worker rights and well-being.
In 2025, the foundation awarded $10.75 million in grants to 81 organizations driving social change. Our grants supported organizations focused on driving systemic change, developing grassroots leaders, strengthening the nonprofit sector’s resilience and shifting hearts, minds and culture.
The numbers tell their own story. But when I look back at 2025, I’m most proud of what the numbers can’t tell you. Here are my three key reflections from our year:
- We Stepped Up When Others Pulled Back
In a year when governments around the world cut budgets and foreign aid, we upped our giving to help sustain the movements and leaders safeguarding justice. In 2025, LSF provided an additional $2 million in grants to nonprofits, marking a 23% increase over the prior year. Some of this additional funding went to 16 international grantees affected by foreign aid cuts. Our support enabled grantees like Centro de Apoyo al Trabajado, a Mexican workers rights organization, to retain its full-time staff and continue providing legal service to vulnerable apparel workers facing gender discrimination in the workplace. - We Embraced Innovative Ideas and New Ways of Thinking
In 2025, we navigated a fast-changing world by embracing change ourselves. Last year, 45% of all grants went to new grantees advancing our priority causes. Over 20% of all grants went to early-stage nonprofits. This data reflects our commitment to innovation and emerging leaders working on the frontlines of social justice. For example, we helped Being Human partner with Stanford University to develop a new curriculum that promotes cross-cultural dialogues designed to connect us across ideological divides. We hope that by being an early supporter of efforts like these, we’re making it easier for other corporate philanthropies to follow. - We Demonstrated Our Commitment to the Long Haul
If I have learned anything in this role, it’s that progress takes time and that the road to social justice is hard, even in the best of times. In 2025, LSF didn’t shy away from the issues we care about, even when there were headwinds. This year marked our 30th year supporting worker rights and well-being, and our third year investing in democracy, immigrant rights and reproductive justice — areas we are committed to championing long-term change in. We demonstrated to our grantees here at home and around the world that our commitment to them and the work they lead is foundational to who we are.
Philanthropy is about envisioning the world we want to see and then moving our collective resources to make that vision a reality. What we saw in 2025 demonstrated that to do this, we must be willing to evolve alongside the world we seek to change — including trying new ideas and taking risks. I look forward to bringing that lesson into 2026, and I’m eager to see LSF continue to advance social change on some of the most critical issues of our time.
To learn more about LSF and our work in 2025, read our full Year in Review report.
Hero image by Taurat Hossain for Documented, an LSF grantee delivering high-quality, immigrant-centered journalism in New York and across the U.S.
