The Leon Levine Foundation invests in organizations across the Carolinas. The Foundation’s geographic footprint reflects our Founder’s history and how he grew his business. In 1959, Leon Levine opened the first Family Dollar Store on Central Avenue in Charlotte, North Carolina. Over the course of the next four decades, Mr. Levine expanded the corporation, building a local presence, then a regional imprint, and ultimately a national brand. From the beginning, Charlotte has served as an epicenter for strategic and far-reaching growth. And from this same hub, The Leon Levine Foundation launched its own geographic evolution, adopting our Founder’s approach to thoughtful, sustainable investing.
The Foundation established relationships with nonprofits in the Piedmont Triad, Research Triangle, and Western North Carolina in 2017. Expansion continued in 2018, leading to exciting new funding opportunities in Upstate and Coastal South Carolina, as well as the Midlands. In 2020, the Foundation made its first grants along the North Carolina coast. Today, the Board of Directors remains committed to maintaining relationships with its diverse partners across the Carolinas.
Meeting the needs of hardworking individuals in vibrant communities is more than just a nice idea; it’s Leon Levine’s legacy.