top of page
Image of the Leevers outside of their family home.
Leever Foundation Logo

CONNECT

  • Facebook Button
  • LinkedIn Button
  • Instagram Button

"To me, success is helping others obtain it. That's a great sort of satisfaction for me."

- Harold Leever

1990s

1990

Leever Foundation Thistle Icon

Early 1990, while hanging together in the backyard of the family home in Bethlehem, Connecticut, family members discussed starting the Leever Foundation.

The Leever family in the backyard of their family home in Bethlehem, CT.

1991

On January 23, 1991, the article of incorporation were officially approved.

Leever Foundation Thistle Icon

1995

The start of the Leever Cancer Center Story.

Leever Foundation Thistle Icon

1999

Harold and the family’s generous gift to  Waterbury Hospital and St. Mary hospital to build a cancer center in collaboration with other local Waterbury healthcare entities.

Leever Foundation Thistle Icon

2000s

2001

In January 2001, Harold's wife, Ruth Ann, took on the role of Chair at the Foundation after her husband's passing.

Leever Foundation Thistle Icon
Harold & Ruth Ann Leever

2001

In June 2001, the Foundation worked closely and in collaboration with the then Waterbury Foundation, now Connecticut Community Foundation.

Leever Foundation Thistle Icon

2002

The first grant, a total of $250,000, is given to fund YouthNet.

​

YouthNet is an effort to bring new after school programs to inner cit youth in Waterbury, Connecticut. A collaboration of the Connecticut Community Foundation, the Leever Foundation, and the United Way of Greater Waterbury, this project was developed in response to the lack of after school programs located in the target neighborhoods; limited programs for middle school students; few academic enrichment, tutoring, arts, or cultural programs; reduced opportunities for girls; and a population of middle school youth unable to participate in programs of any type due to responsibility of younger siblings.

Leever Foundation Thistle Icon

2002

The Harold Leever Regional Cancer Center opened its doors as a world-class, comprehensive cancer center providing coordinated and enhanced services to cancer patients and families of greater Waterbury

Leever Foundation Thistle Icon
Harold Leever Regional Cancer Center

2010s

2014

Leever Foundation Thistle Icon

The founding matriarch, Ruth Ann Leever, passed.

Ruth Ann Leever
"Keep your heart young and your expectations high and never allow your dreams to die."

- Ruth Ann Leever

2016

Leever Foundation Thistle Icon

In an effort to define a next phase for the Foundation, the board started a Strategic planning process that highlighted a DEI and transformative change focus for the foundation.

2018

Leever Foundation Thistle Icon

The Foundation Board determined that it wanted to operate independently from the Connecticut Community Foundation.

2019

Leever Foundation Thistle Icon

The first executive director, Saran D. White, MPA, is hired to run the autonomous organization.

2020s

2020

The Foundation responds to the pandemic with its own responsive grantmaking and coordinated grantmaking with other Waterbury funders.

Leever Foundation Thistle Icon

2021

The Foundation developed an intentional, values-aligned, equity-driven, trust-based, grantee centered and community-informed theory of change.

Leever Foundation Thistle Icon

2023

The first community board member, Bilal Tajildeen, is voted in as chair of the Foundation.

Leever Foundation Thistle Icon
Headshot of Bilal Tajildeen

Get the latest in your inbox. Sign up to receive exclusive updates.

Thanks for subscribing!

Leever Foundation Logo
Cell Phone Icon

203-572-5975

Email Icon
Location Icon

P.O. Box 2179

Waterbury, CT 06705

  • Facebook Button
  • LinkedIn Button
  • Instagram Button

( C ) 2023 - 2024 Leever Foundation based in Waterbury, CT  |  Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions

Website Designed by CNCO

bottom of page