Rebuild Upstate receives $15,000 grant from The Leon Levine Foundation
September 20, 2019
The foundation created by the founder of Family Dollar Stores, Inc. has awarded Rebuild Upstate with a $15,000 grant.
Following his retirement from Family Dollar in 2003, Leon Levine began his second career: building The Leon Levine Foundation (TLLF) into one of the Southeast’s largest and most impactful philanthropic organizations. As the foundation strives to improve the human condition by creating permanent, measurable, and life-changing impact throughout the Carolinas, it also has the honor of curating Leon and Sandra Levine’s legacy. It does this by preserving the foundation’s history, highlighting the success of its partners and sharing the stories of those who benefit from the Levine’s generosity.
“With our expansion into the Greenville community, Rebuild Upstate stood out for its innovative and targeted approach to addressing the community’s affordable housing shortage,” explained Tom Lawrence, president of TLLF. “Home preservation is an effective way to make houses safer and more enjoyable for those in need. We are honored to be a partner in Rebuild Upstate’s work to help families remain in their homes.”
Rebuild Upstate receives public and private funds to support home repairs across Greenville, Anderson, Pickens, and Oconee counties. Through its work, the organization hopes to raise awareness of the need for more affordable housing in Upstate communities.
Through the first half of 2019, Rebuild Upstate worked on 103 homes that resulted in 285 total projects and using 827 volunteers. To put those numbers in perspective, Rebuild Upstate worked on 172 homes, with 499 total projects and 1,488 volunteers in 2018. It was 160, 477 and 1,489 in 2017.
“This is why Rebuild Upstate is so important. Unlike organizations that focus on new home construction, Rebuild Upstate exclusively repairs and improves existing homes,” said Chris Manley, the organization’s founder and President/CEO. “It’s about more than just laying boards and hammering nails—it’s about restoring the safety and dignity of our neighbors in need. We are incredibly thankful for the support from The Leon Levine Foundation and honored by their belief in our mission.”
About Rebuild Upstate
Rebuild Upstate is a nonprofit organization serving Upstate of South Carolina. The nonprofit strengthens the communities by providing volunteers and materials to create a safe, healthy, sustainable home environment for disabled, low-income and elderly homeowners. The organization exclusively focuses on repairs and improving existing homes. The nonprofit is also the reigning Greenville County Chamber of Commerce Max Heller award recipient. Learn more at www.rebuildupstate.org.
About The Leon Levine Foundation:
Created in 1980 by Leon Levine (Founder and Chairman Emeritus of Family Dollar Stores, Inc.), The Leon Levine Foundation’s mission is to improve the human condition by creating permanent, measurable, and life changing impact throughout the Carolinas. Based in Charlotte, N.C., the foundation invests in nonprofits with strong leadership, a track record of success, and a focus on sustainability in the areas of healthcare, education, Jewish values, and human services.
