Our Story

"Talent is everywhere, opportunity is not"

Francine A. LeFrak
Graduation ceremony at the Women in Need homeless shelter in East Harlem, for the Francine A. LeFrak Computer Training Program.
ABOUT US

Our History

We believe “Talent is Everywhere BUT Opportunity is Not,” and that if everyone used their personal talents to help others find opportunity, the world would be a better place.

We believe in being true partners with our grant recipients.  We are working side by side, removing barriers, tracking progress, and changing lives. Founded in 2009, our work has focused on the marginalized, including those living in extreme poverty, who survived the Rwandan genocide, and those who have been in the justice system. Today, we impact thousands of women on an annual basis. The programs we invest in provide skill building including financial literacy, business, computers and technology, and artisanal skills. We also provide emergency micro-grants to remove barriers to each woman’s success.  

ABOUT US

Our Vision

The Francine A. LeFrak Foundation envisions a world where every woman can achieve financial fluency.

We are the champions, equipping women with resources and confidence.

The Foundation’s ultimate goal is to ensure that all individuals have access to the basic necessities and are equipped to achieve general economic stability to ensure their personal independence.

The Francine A. LeFrak Foundation prides itself in investing in people, on-the-ground organizations, and physical spaces that will aid in the fulfillment of its objective and will positively influence the enhancement of individuals’ talents.

We partner with like-minded organizations and foundations providing opportunities for training and education that leads to success and broad impact.

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Our Program Pillars

Education Programs

Furthering education that leads to long-term success and broad impact.

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Workforce Development

Provides workforce development opportunities for women and men throughout the world.

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Financial Fluency

Equipping women with resources and the confidence to make financially sound decisions.  

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Our Approach to Grant-making

The Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals. 
Our approach to grant-making is hands-on and includes a considerable amount of due diligence to ensure that each organization identified is aligned with the Foundation’s mission.

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Where Our Money Goes

Grants from the Francine A. LeFrak Foundation go to facilitate direct programs, remove barriers, and provide access to opportunities which will positively impact participants. 

The First Lady of Rwanda Mrs Jeannette Kagame & Francine during her visit to Rwanda
Our Bridge2Rwanda scholars gathered for a dinner at the Harvard Club during their 2020 visit to New York City.
GRANTEES & programs

Committed Grants

grantee

Barnard College

The Francine A. LeFrak Center for Well-Being was established to serve as a centralized hub for all wellness-related initiatives, including programs and workshops

Financial Fluency
LOCATION

New York, NY

PROGRAM

Francine A. LeFrak Foundation Center For Well-being

grantee

Francine A. LeFrak Wellness Center

The Francine A. LeFrak Wellness Center of New Jersey provides 1500 formerly incarcerated women in the Re-Entry Program access to medical, dental, and mental health care at no cost.

Education
LOCATION

Newark, New Jersey

PROGRAM

New Jersey Re-Entry

grantee

FAWE School

The Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) is a Pan-African women’s organization whose mission is to support girls and women to acquire education for development. 

Education
LOCATION

Rwanda, Africa

PROGRAM

Same Sky Foundation Program

grantee

Indego Africa

Indego Africa, our on-the-ground partner, supports women in Rwanda through economic empowerment, training and education.

Training
LOCATION

Rwanda, Africa

PROGRAM

Same Sky Foundation Program

grantee

Per Scholas

We provide funding for more than 200 women to enroll annually to attend the Per Scholas as part of the Women in Tech Scholars Program.

Training
LOCATION

New York, NY

PROGRAM

Same Sky Women in Tech Scholars

grantee

Grace Institute

The Grace Institute empowers low-income women in New York City to become employed and economically secure.

Training
LOCATION

New York, NY

PROGRAM

Book Fund, Microgrant Fund, Food Pantry

grantee

Francine A. LeFrak Foundation Emergency Microgrants

The Foundation provides grants that enable FIT students to continue and complete their education.

Education
LOCATION

New York, NY

PROGRAM

Fashion Institute of Technology

grantee

Francine A. LeFrak Foundation’s Tools of the Trade Fund

The "tools of the trade" micro-grant funds are used to remove barriers and provide access to materials and equipment that BWI graduates require to pursue their careers.

Training
LOCATION

New York, NY

PROGRAM

Brooklyn Workforce Innovations

grantee

Bridge2Rwanda

Bridge2Rwanda was formed in 2007 to create opportunities for Rwandan students to study in the United States. 

Education
LOCATION

Rwanda, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan

PROGRAM

LeFrak-Friedberg Scholars Program

grantee

Harvard Kennedy School

Harvard Kennedy School improves public policy and public leadership across the United States and around the world so that people can lead safer, freer, and more prosperous lives. 

Education
LOCATION

Cambridge, MA

PROGRAM

Preserving Culture, History, & the Performing Arts

GRANTEES & programs

Completed Grants

grantee

The Food Bank for New York City

In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the FAL Foundation diverted from its typical mission to train, educate, and provide access to the arts by pivoting to address the more urgent issue at hand: wi

Other
LOCATION

Queens, New York

PROGRAM

COVID-19 Response

FOUNDATION STATS

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Stat description

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The First Lady of Rwanda Mrs Jeannette Kagame & Francine during her visit to Rwanda
grantees

Through targeted partnerships with organizations, we provide access to job training, education, technology, and financial fluency programs.

meet the grantees
Francine a. lefrak

Meet Our Founder

A successful social entrepreneur, women’s rights advocate and philanthropist, Francine LeFrak founded a trade initiative, Same Sky, to help women who were invisible become visible through the dignity of work.

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