Legacy Investments

Levine Cancer Institute

World-Class Cancer Care, Close To Home.

The Levine Cancer Institute (LCI) opened in 2012 with a $20 million leadership gift from The Leon Levine Foundation. At LCI, leading cancer experts are committed to innovating treatments that aren’t just life-changing, but life-saving. This medical network gives the Carolinas the healthcare access they deserve, right here in their own backyard.

Levine Children’s Hospital

Where Small Patients Have Big Futures.

A $10 million grant to the Carolinas Healthcare Foundation enabled The Leon Levine Foundation to name the Levine Children’s Hospital at Carolinas Medical Center. The 230-bed facility, which opened in October 2007, was the first top-tier children’s hospital built between Atlanta and Washington, D.C. Today, it thrives as a nationally recognized provider of pediatric healthcare.

Sandra and Leon Levine JCC at Shalom Park

Jewish Life Gets a Permanent Charlotte Address.

In 1986, Leon and Sandra Levine were pioneers of culture, spearheading the creation of Shalom Park – a unique 54 acre campus where Jews from Charlotte’s synagogues and beyond can worship, share their heritage, and socialize. The Leon Levine Foundation made a $1 million gift to name The Sandra and Leon Levine Jewish Community Center, which serves as the park’s hub. The Foundation has given millions more to establish improvements and endowments at Shalom Park.

The Critical Need Response Fund with Foundation for the Carolinas

Weathering Life’s Storms Like We Do Best: Together.

In response to the Great Recession of 2008, The Leon Levine Foundation partnered with Foundation of the Carolinas and other local philanthropists to form The Critical Need Response Fund. During the life of the fund, nearly $7.6 million was distributed to regional nonprofits. These dollars kept our neighbors warm, sheltered, fed, and clothed at a time when everything felt uncertain.

The Levine Scholars Program

Instilling Excellence In the Classroom and Beyond.

An investment in the leaders of the future is a gift that keeps on giving. In 2009, The Leon Levine Foundation partnered with the University of North Carolina at Charlotte to establish The Levine Scholars Program with an initial investment of $7.4 million (awarded $12.9 million to expand the program in 2014). The merit-based scholarship is the university’s most prestigious award annually provided to graduating high school seniors. Qualifying students possess academic prowess, demonstrate ethical leadership, and prioritize civic engagement.

The Levine Museum of the New South

Preserving Our Roots and Unearthing Common Ground.

With a $1 million gift, The Leon Levine Foundation helped the Levine Museum of the New South relaunch in its permanent home in 2001. The museum has garnered national exposure, exploring the history and diversity of the South in the years following the Civil War. With a focus on Charlotte, the museum has become an integral resource for the region, making a name for itself as the primary educator and convener when difficult, but necessary, conversations unfold around racial equity.

Healthcare Workers of Tomorrow

Great Minds Gather Here.

The next generation of health science professionals receives exemplary education from The Leon Levine Foundation’s partners throughout the Carolinas. To provide students with even more resources and opportunities, the foundation has established: The Leon Levine Hall of Health Sciences at Appalachian State University ($5 million/2017), The Leon Levine Hall of Medical Science at Campbell University ($2.5 million/2009), and The Levine College of Health Sciences at Wingate University ($3 million/2009).

The Leon Levine Opportunity Center

Opening the Door to Change.

This 160,000-square-foot facility opened in 2016 with a $1.2 million leading gift from The Leon Levine Foundation. As the cornerstone of the Goodwill Opportunity Campus in west Charlotte, the center houses a nonprofit network that helps clients overcome barriers to employment and workforce development.

Project L.I.F.T.

Teaching Charlotte’s Star Students How to Shine.

In 2010, The Leon Levine Foundation made a $10 million investment in Project L.I.F.T. As a public-private partnership, Project L.I.F.T. worked directly with nine schools located in the West Charlotte corridor. The initiative helped students gain firm academic footing in the areas of reading, math, and culture.

Levine Center for the Arts

Culture Takes Center Stage in the Queen City.

Following a $15 million gift from The Leon Levine Foundation, Charlotte welcomed an extraordinary cultural destination to South Tryon Street. Levine Center for the Arts is a vibrant display of ingenuity and a flagship for the creative community. The plaza is comprised of: The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture, the John S. and James L. Knight Theater, and the Mint Museum Uptown.

Queens University of Charlotte

Crowning Campus Achievements Fit for Every Royal.

Thriving cities have bolstered a network of colleges and universities, both public and private. Queens University is a beloved Charlotte institution that serves as a community convener. Over the years, The Leon Levine Foundation has invested time and resources in Queens; its two most notable campus endeavors are the Levine Center for Wellness and Recreation ($8 million/2009) and the Sandra Levine Theatre ($ million/year). These capital projects have enhanced student life and extended the university’s reach into the Queen City.

Rockingham Revitalization

Redefining Richmond County, One Venture at a Time.

As a native of Rockingham, Leon Levine has a keen interest in the revitalization of his hometown. After decades of economic decline, the region is springing to life again – with help from two new enterprises. In 2017, The Leon Levine Foundation made a $1 million grant to open The Leon Levine School of Business and Information Technology at Richmond Community College, which offers cutting-edge programs like cyber security and mobile app development. Then there’s Discovery Place Kids – Rockingham, a 20,000-square-foot museum that opened in 2013 with a $2 million grant from the Foundation. Exhibits and hands-on activities help children hone motor skills, critical thinking, and social intelligence. These local assets are putting Rockingham back on the map.