The Leesfield Family Foundation has re-dedicated its support of the Clinton Foundation and the William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum in historic Little Rock, Arkansas with a major grant celebrating the ten year anniversary of the library.
The Leesfield Family Foundation was a very early supporter with a $250,000 commitment for the construction of the building. Now, ten years later, the Foundation has re-endowed its assets to underwrite new, existing and essential programs sponsored by the library. A gift in honor of the trustees, Bill, Hillary and Chelsea Clinton, was presented prior to the November 12, 2014 festivities in Little Rock, which include:
▸ Private tour of the Clinton Presidential Center
▸ Dinner Reception with the Clintons
▸ Clinton Foundation briefing
Meanwhile in Miami-Dade County, Florida, Ambassador Paul Cejas will receive the American Jewish Committee’s National Human Relations Award for his significant dedication to the betterment of the nation and community, and his unwavering commitment to philanthropic endeavors. The Leesfield Family Foundation is a major supporter and underwriter of this event.
The ceremony which recognizes the tireless humanitarian and worldwide efforts on behalf of Ambassador Cejas will be held at the Freedom Tower on December 10, 2014 where dignitaries from around the world will be in attendance, including Ambassador Cejas’ colleagues from the Brookings Institution and the United States Diplomatic Corps. Ira Leesfield serves as a co-chair to the event and his contribution joins those of many friends of the Ambassador and his wife, Trudy, in raising important funding for the American Jewish Committee.
The September issue of the American Association for Justice Trial Magazine recognized the Leesfield Family Foundation for its leadership and philanthropy in the trial lawyer community, as well as throughout the nation. At the AAJ annual convention in Baltimore, Maryland, the Leesfield Family Foundation law student scholarship was re-endowed by grant funding through the year 2020.
At the same conference, Brenda Kathurima was awarded the 2014 Leesfield/AAJ Student Scholarship for her outstanding law student accomplishments at the University of Maryland, Francis King Carey School of Law. Her tireless work for the less privileged was recognized by Dean of Students, Susan Krinsky, and Dean for Development and Alumni Relations, Trishana Bowden of Francis King Carey School of Law.
Immediately following the convention, the September issue of Trial Magazine noted the contributions of Ira Leesfield and the Leesfield Family Foundation for for the lifelong commitment and support of numerous causes, scholarships, and the most vulnerable members of society, children and the elderly.
Over the past twenty years, the Leesfield Family Foundation has supported over 40 scholarships, some on an annual basis. Many law students dedicated to the preservation of the civil justice system have been recognized through the American Association for Justice (“AAJ”) as well as the Miami-Dade Chapter of Florida Association of Women Lawyers (“FAWL”). Special situations have honored significant scholarship programs by way of the Dan Pearson and Eileen G. Breier Scholarships (University of Miami School of Law), Florence Griffith Joyner “Flo Jo” Scholarship (Miami Heat ), Thomas H. Henderson, Jr. Scholarship (University of Alabama), Nard S. Helman Scholarship Fund (Temple Beth Sholom), Harold Foster Memorial Scholarship (Nova Southeastern University), and several other “as needed” financial assistance programs for promising students.
Many of the programs LFF supports provide quick direct assistance to feeding Americans, helping communities struck by natural disasters, nurturing the elderly, while motivating the young. See “What We Support” for a listing of the organizations we support. Similarly, we share with millions of Americans the heartbreak of the elderly who often have to choose between food and medicine — dignity and dependency.
Our Foundation distinguishes itself as a streamline, high efficiency operation. The Foundation is primarily funded by our family, with the help of friends and others who want to make a contribution to the less fortunate in an easy, straight-forward, tax-deductible way. Sometimes, it is a birthday gift, a celebration or a memory that is being honored. Specific opportunities to make a contribution can be found at www.leesfieldfamilyfoundation.org. One hundred percent of all contributions are channeled to those in need.