Rebuild Upstate receives $15,000 grant from The Leon Levine Foundation
December 15, 2020
The philanthropic organization 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.
“Rebuild Upstate is innovatively addressing the community’s affordable housing challenge by leveraging volunteers to preserve homes so families can remain in a safe and enjoyable environment,” noted Tom Lawrence, president of The Leon Levine Foundation. “We are committed to investing in smart approaches like this which provide families peace of mind and stability in knowing they have a home.”
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 September 2020, Rebuild Upstate worked on 100 homes that resulted in 292 total projects and using 704 volunteers.
“This year, more than many others, has reshaped what home means to each of us,” said Chris Manley, the organization’s founder and President/CEO. “Our home is a place of refuge – a safe place for us to live, especially in a time of social distancing. We’re so thankful for partners like the Leon Levine Foundation who have come alongside us to ensure more people are able to live in safe and healthy homes throughout the Upstate.”
About Rebuild Upstate
Rebuild Upstate serves low-income homeowners with repairs and accessibility improvements to create safe, livable housing in existing homes and neighborhoods in Greenville, Anderson, Pickens, and Oconee counties. Its team envisions a community where everyone has the opportunity to live a life of dignity in a safe home environment in order to maintain and foster strong, sustainable communities. 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. Learn more online at www.leonlevinefoundation.org.
