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$100 million in increased annual giving: Sandra Levine redefines her family foundation’s philanthropy after donating $590 million for scalable, innovative solutions
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$100 million in increased annual giving: Sandra Levine redefines her family foundation’s philanthropy after donating $590 million for scalable, innovative solutions

The Leon Levine Foundation (TLLF), one of the most influential philanthropic forces in the Carolinas, is entering a transformational era under the steady, visionary guidance of Sandra Levine.

Following the passing of her husband, Leon Levine, in 2023, Sandra has emerged as a deeply engaged steward of the foundation’s next phase—anchored in urgency, generosity, and impact.

Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, TLLF recently announced it will ramp up annual grantmaking to $100 million and sunset its operations by 2075.

The move is not a retreat, but rather a bold acceleration—reflecting Sandra Levine’s belief that now is the moment to act boldly and invest deeply in people and progress.

Since its founding in 1980 by Leon Levine—entrepreneur, philanthropist, and founder of Family Dollar—the foundation has awarded over $590 million in grants, including a record-setting $101 million to 400 organizations in fiscal year 2025 alone, up from $42 million the previous year. Following Leon’s passing, the foundation’s assets swelled to $2 billion, giving it the ability—and moral imperative—to expand its vision.

“Leon and I always shared the belief that the greatest gift we could give was opportunity,” said Sandra Levine. “He built Family Dollar so working families could stretch their dollars further. Our philanthropy reflects that same mindset: meet people where they are, invest in what they need, and help them move forward with dignity.”

Sandra has long played a behind-the-scenes role in shaping the foundation’s giving strategy, particularly in the areas closest to the Levine family’s heart: healthcare, human services, education, and Jewish values. With Sandra’s continued leadership, these pillars will remain central—but the foundation is sharpening its focus on scalable, innovative solutions that uplift entire communities across North and South Carolina.

 

TLLF’s new era will also see a shift to impact investing, a strategy designed to generate market-rate returns while delivering measurable benefits across its focus areas. It’s a move that aligns with Sandra’s practical, future-minded approach to philanthropy: one that balances heart and head, compassion and accountability.

Just as importantly, Sandra and the foundation’s board have made the deeply intentional decision to sunset the foundation by 2075. That timeline reflects a philosophy the Levines have long espoused—that philanthropy is not about institutional permanence, but human progress.

“This is not about building a monument,” said Tom Lawrence, TLLF’s president and CEO. “It’s about making sure that the work we do today has ripple effects that last far beyond the lifespan of the foundation. Sandra’s leadership is ensuring that Leon’s legacy becomes a living force for change.”

Born in Rockingham, North Carolina, Leon Levine built a retail empire with a singular focus on access and equity. But it was with Sandra that he built something even more lasting: a life defined by giving back. Together, they established endowed chairs at hospitals, built schools and synagogues, and supported institutions serving the most vulnerable.

Sandra has continued that work with quiet determination and expansive vision. Whether it’s improving access to early childhood education, funding life-saving medical care, or strengthening Jewish communal life, her philanthropy is defined by empathy and efficacy.

“Leon’s name is on the foundation,” Sandra said. “But this was always our shared mission. It still is.”

As TLLF enters its most ambitious phase yet, Sandra Levine’s leadership ensures that the foundation’s final chapters will be its most meaningful, anchored not just in memory but in momentum.


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