The Leakey Foundation

What The Leakey Foundation does

The Leakey Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (legal name: L.S.B. Leakey Foundation for Research Related to Man's Origins, Behavior & Survival, EIN 95-2536475) headquartered at 1003B O'Reilly Avenue in San Francisco's Presidio National Park. Founded in 1968 by a grassroots group of supporters of Louis Leakey, the foundation is the leading U.S. nonprofit funder of human origins research, awarding approximately $1,000,000 annually in grants and scholarships across paleoanthropology, archaeology, primatology, genetics, geology, and related disciplines. It operates five core funding programs: Research Grants (up to $30,000 post-PhD and $20,000 for PhD candidates), the Franklin Mosher Baldwin Fellowship for international graduate students (up to $15,000/year for up to two years), the Francis H. Brown African Scholarship for East African earth-sciences and paleobotany researchers (up to $30,000), the Joan Cogswell Donner Field School Scholarship (up to $2,000), and the Emergency Fund for Primate Field Research (up to $25,000).

The foundation's revenue model is entirely donor-supported, with diversified streams including one-time donations, the Bedrock monthly giving program (starting at $5/month), Fellowship memberships ($84/month or $1,000 one-time), legacy and planned gifts, donor-advised fund grants routed through Fidelity Charitable, DAFgiving360, and BNY Mellon, and corporate matching programs. Major institutional donors include the Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation, which also co-funds a matching program quadrupling DAF grants up to $10,000 each. The foundation is governed by a Board of Trustees chaired by Gordon P. Getty and led operationally by Executive Director Sharal Camisa Smith, with approximately 8 staff.

Complementing its grantmaking, the foundation runs an extensive educational programming portfolio: the award-winning Origin Stories podcast (60+ hours of content), Lunch Break Science livestreamed web series, the long-running Speaker Series on Human Origins (300+ hours of lecture content), the AI x Evolution standing forum, the Evolution Exchange community for ages 21-45, the Discovering Us book project narrated by Ashley Judd, and the Oral History of Human Origins Research archive. These programs have collectively reached approximately 4 million people. The foundation also confers three named awards: the LSB Leakey Prize, the Gordon P. Getty Award, and the Communication and Outreach Award in Honor of Camilla M. Smith (co-presented with the American Association of Biological Anthropologists). The foundation is a top-rated Charity Navigator entity and a ClimatePartner-certified carbon-neutral nonprofit.

Name

The Leakey Foundation

Legal name

L.S.B. Leakey Foundation for Research Related to Man's Origins, Behavior & Survival

Website

https://leakeyfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1968

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Leakey Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1968 that awards roughly $1 million annually in grants and scholarships to fund human origins research, while operating educational programs including a podcast, lecture series, and AI x Evolution forum reaching about 4 million people.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Research Funding and Science Education

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGAKAI

Research & Science Grantmaking Foundations

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Philanthropy, Foundations & Grantmaking

SECONDARYEDAIAOAJ

Research Grants, Fellowships & Stipends (International)

Education/International Education & Study Abroad/Scholarships, Funding & Financial Aid for International Study

SECONDARYEDADAHAC

Scholarship & Fellowship Foundations and Trusts

Education/Education Administration, Accreditation & Policy/Education Funding, Grants & Financial Aid Administration

Keywords

• Human origins research funding
• Paleoanthropology grants
• Primatology scholarships
• Nonprofit science education
• Evolution research grants

Headquarters

HQ city

San Francisco

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The Leakey Foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization funded primarily through charitable donations from individuals, foundations, and corporate matching programs. Revenue comes from one-time donations, monthly giving programs (Bedrock starting at $5/month), Fellowship memberships ($84/month or $1,000 one-time), legacy/planned gifts, and donor-advised fund grants.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The Leakey Foundation is a donor-supported 501(c)(3) nonprofit that funds multidisciplinary human origins research through grants and scholarships (Research Grants, Baldwin Fellowship, Francis H. Brown African Scholarship, Field School Scholarship, and Emergency Fund for Primate Field Research) and delivers educational programs including the Origin Stories Podcast, Lunch Break Science web series, Speaker Series lectures, AI x Evolution forum, and Evolution Exchange community. It awards approximately $1,000,000 annually to researchers and students pursuing work in paleoanthropology, primatology, archaeology, genetics, geology, and related fields.

Product overview

The Leakey Foundation is a donor-supported 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that serves as the leading nonprofit funder of human origins research. The organization operates as a unified grant-making and educational foundation rather than a traditional product company. Its core offerings include five grant and scholarship programs: Research Grants supporting multidisciplinary human origins research (up to $30,000), the Franklin Mosher Baldwin Fellowship for graduate education (up to $15,000/year), the Francis H. Brown African Scholarship for earth sciences (up to $30,000), the Joan Cogswell Donner Field School Scholarship for field training (up to $2,000), and the Emergency Fund for Primate Field Research (up to $25,000). Complementing these funding programs are educational initiatives including the Origin Stories Podcast, Lunch Break Science web series, Speaker Series on Human Origins lectures, the AI x Evolution forum bridging AI and evolutionary science, Evolution Exchange community for ages 21-45, the Discovering Us book project, and the Oral History archive. The Foundation also confers three prestigious awards: the Leakey Prize, Communication and Outreach Award, and Gordon P. Getty Award.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Research Grants Multidisciplinary research grants for PhD candidates and post-PhD researchers conducting work in human origins disciplines including archaeology, paleoanthropology, primate behavioral ecology, genetics, geology, and paleoclimatology. Up to $30,000 for post-PhD researchers and up to $20,000 for PhD candidates, with two application cycles per year (January 10 and July 15).
• Franklin Mosher Baldwin Fellowship Graduate fellowship program supporting students from countries with limited educational opportunities in human origins research. Provides up to $15,000 annually for up to two years, covering tuition, travel, living expenses, and professional development.
• Francis H. Brown African Scholarship Scholarship fund for East African researchers and students pursuing research in earth sciences and botany related to human origins. Supports citizens of Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda, and other specified African nations with up to $30,000 for graduate or post-PhD research.
• Joan Cogswell Donner Field School Scholarship Field school scholarship providing up to $2,000 per student for hands-on training in archaeology, paleoanthropology, and primatology techniques. Priority given to students from regions where primates and fossils are found. Applications accepted year-round, submitted by field school directors.
• Emergency Fund for Primate Field Research Emergency funding program to keep long-term primate field sites operational during funding gaps or crises. Provides up to $25,000 for one year with possibility of second-year funding for sites with 10+ years of continuous behavioral data.
• Origin Stories Podcast Award-winning podcast exploring human evolution one story at a time, featuring dozens of episodes with Leakey Foundation scientists and research discoveries.
• Lunch Break Science Livestreamed web series featuring short talks and interviews with Leakey Foundation scientists. Streams monthly on YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn, offering behind-the-scenes insights into human origins research.
• Speaker Series on Human Origins Cornerstone educational program since 1968 featuring distinguished lectures by world-renowned scientists including Jane Goodall, Louis and Mary Leakey, Richard Leakey, and other leading researchers. Includes over 300 hours of lecture content hosted in partnership with museums.
• AI x Evolution Forum Standing forum bringing together AI builders and evolutionary scientists through private dinners, salons, and lectures to explore what evolution can teach about designing, testing, and deploying AI systems.
• Evolution Exchange Dynamic community for people aged 21-45 interested in human origins, featuring virtual events, discussion groups, local gatherings, and travel opportunities to connect evolution enthusiasts with scientists via Discord.
• Discovering Us Book project featuring groundbreaking human evolution discoveries of the past 50 years, presented by award-winning actor and activist Ashley Judd.
• Oral History of Human Origins Research Growing collection of video interviews with scientists who shape human origins understanding, including transcripts, narrative supplements, and curriculum materials for educators.
• Leakey Prize Prestigious award established in 1991 honoring intellectual achievement and research in multidisciplinary ape and human evolution studies, featuring a $25,000 prize and commemorative trophy. Recipients include Jane Goodall, Phillip Tobias, and F. Clark Howell.
• Communication and Outreach Award Annual award presented jointly with the American Association of Biological Anthropologists in honor of Camilla M. Smith, recognizing outstanding public communication and educational outreach in biological anthropology.
• Gordon P. Getty Award Award honoring extraordinary originality and dedication in intellectual pursuits while exemplifying a multidisciplinary approach to human origins research, created to celebrate Gordon Getty's 40 years of leadership.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than a dozen hominin species discovered through funded research
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Harvard University (AI x Evolution)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Harvard University researchers including Dr. Richard Wrangham and Dr. Daniel Lieberman who participate in the AI x Evolution forum series.
• Arizona State University (AI x Evolution)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with ASU researcher Dr. Robert Boyd who is a founder of cultural evolution theory and participates in AI x Evolution forums.
• American Museum of Natural History (AMNH)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for public lectures on human origins at AMNH in New York.
• California Academy of SciencesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for public lectures on human origins at Cal Academy in San Francisco.
• Chicago Academy of Sciences / Chicago ScientificmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for public lectures on human origins.
• Houston Museum of Natural SciencemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for public lectures on human origins.
• Fidelity CharitableminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDAF Direct partner allowing donors to recommend grants to the foundation.
• BNY MellonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDAF Direct partner allowing donors to recommend grants to the foundation.
• ClimatePartnercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to calculate corporate carbon footprint, reduce emissions, and offset unavoidable emissions through carbon offset projects.
• American Association of Biological Anthropologists (AABA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-present the Communication and Outreach Award in Honor of Camilla M. Smith annually.
• Jane Goodall InstitutemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing relationship; Jane Goodall was mentored by Louis Leakey and has been a 17-time grantee. Her research at Gombe was supported by early Leakey Foundation funding.
• National Museums of KenyamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on fieldwork and research in Kenya, including the Turkana Basin work with Dr. Meave Leakey.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Doris Duke Charitable Foundation: The Doris Duke Charitable Foundation funds medical research, environmental conservation, arts, and child well-being. It is comparable as a donor-supported private foundation making targeted grants in specialized scientific and cultural domains.
• Carnegie Corporation of New York: The Carnegie Corporation is a major foundation funding education, democratic engagement, and international peace. It is comparable as a long-standing, large private grantmaking foundation with research and education programs.
• Simons Foundation: The Simons Foundation is a major private foundation that funds scientific research in mathematics, physics, life sciences, and autism research. It is comparable as a large-scale private scientific grantmaker with both research and educational outreach arms.
• National Geographic Society: The National Geographic Society is a much larger nonprofit that funds exploration, scientific research, and education globally, with a long history of supporting human origins and paleontology fieldwork. It is comparable as a broader funder and educator in human evolution science.
• John Templeton Foundation: The John Templeton Foundation is a large private foundation funding scientific research at the intersection of science, philosophy, and human purpose. It is comparable as a major science-focused grantmaking foundation supporting curiosity-driven research.
• Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI): HHMI is one of the largest private funders of biomedical and life sciences research and education. It is comparable as a major nonprofit scientific research and education funder, though at a vastly larger scale than The Leakey Foundation.
• Alfred P. Sloan Foundation: The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation funds scientific research and education across multiple disciplines, including science education and public engagement. It is comparable as a major nonprofit science funder with similar grant and education programs.
• Smithsonian Institution (National Museum of Natural History): The Smithsonian Institution conducts and supports scientific research in anthropology, paleobiology, and natural history, with extensive public education programs. It is comparable as a major institution combining human origins research with public-facing educational content.

Direct peers

• L.S.B. Leakey Foundation sibling: Jane Goodall Institute: The Jane Goodall Institute supports primate research, conservation, and education, with deep historical ties to the Leakey family. It is comparable as a nonprofit combining field research funding with public education and donor-driven programs in human and primate evolution.
• Wenner-Gren Foundation: The Wenner-Gren Foundation is a private nonprofit that funds anthropological research worldwide, including the Wenner-Gren Hunt Postdoctoral Fellowship and the Dissertation Fieldwork Grant. It is directly comparable as a niche, donor-supported grantmaker for human origins and anthropology research.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@TheLeakeyFoundation
• Facebookfacebook.com/theleakeyfoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-leakey-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/theleakeyfoundation

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about The Leakey Foundation