He taught the world to love.
We keep it going.
Love is learned, lived, and given away. Our grants go to Southern California nonprofits where that is the actual work.
Open to Southern California nonprofits with budgets under $1M. See the guidelines
giving it away
"For the first time, my daughter was on a stage where nobody was waiting for her to fail."
"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment."
Eleven million copies later
Love, Living, Loving & Learning, and The Fall of Freddie the Leaf still say it better than we can. Read one, gift one, or invite us to bring books and stickers to your event.
He takes his reading very seriously: one chapter, one nap, repeat. Look for him on our stickers and bookmarks.
Three ways to keep the love moving
Your path to an
Inspire Giving Grant.
Up to $10,000 for Southern California nonprofits building loving, supportive communities and paying it forward, just as Leo did. Applications open February – April 2027.
Start the walk ↓See if you're a fit
✕ We can't fund individuals, endowments, or capital campaigns.
Pick your focus area
Tell us your story
A program description, a simple budget, and how your work inspires the people you serve to pay it forward.
Apply February – April 2027
The window opens February 2027 and closes end of April 2027, with awards following in summer.
Get application details →
Like Freddie the Leaf in Leo's cherished story, every grant keeps giving after it falls — nourishing the ground for everything that grows next.
Where last year's grants landed.
Questions? We've got answers.
{{ faqQ }}
{{ faqA }}
"It's not enough to have lived. We should determine to live for something."
Ready to grow something together?
admin@leobuscaglia.org
A community that leads with love.
The mission of the foundation is to give to Southern California-based, non-profit organizations dedicated to the betterment of others.
A core value of our mission is to nurture those organizations who create loving, supportive communities and model “pay-it-forward” behavior, as this is how we honor Leo’s legacy.
Affectionately known as "Dr. Love."
Dr. Leo Buscaglia inspired millions through his bestselling books, powerful lectures, and unforgettable television appearances. As a professor at USC, he was known for his class "Love 1A," which became a global movement celebrating empathy, connection, and emotional well-being. Leo believed love was the most powerful force we have, and that it should be practiced daily. The Foundation continues his mission by supporting organizations that embody his message in real and tangible ways.
The people behind the mission
Our Board and staff are passionate about advancing Leo's message of love through action.
Frank A. Gomez, PhD
Executive Director of STEM-NET and Professor of Chemistry; he discovered Leo's writings in graduate school and still strives to love what he does.
Read full bio →
Susan Keefe
A 30-year software leader turned climate advocate who serves to give voice and lasting legacy to Leo's teachings of love and hope.
Read full bio →
Rebecca Gomez, PhD
Former Tustin City Council member and retired college dean, with decades of leadership across education and community nonprofits.
Read full bio →
Jessica Morales-Chicas, PhD
Full Professor at Cal State LA in Child and Family Studies, researching equity and access in STEM education.
Read full bio →
Janette C. Brown, EdD
Former Assistant Vice Provost of the USC Emeriti Center and a champion of intergenerational learning and lifelong connection.
Read full bio →
Heather Macias, PhD
Associate Professor of Teacher Education at CSULB, researching culturally responsive and affirming teaching practices.
Read full bio →
Jordan Weltman, JD
Retired Vice President of Boeing Capital and an attorney; a Yale College and Penn Law graduate who believes the world needs more of Leo's wisdom.
Read full bio →
Shawn Herz, MSG, LMFT
A gerontologist and marriage and family therapist with over forty years supporting older adults and their caregivers.
Read full bio →Advisory Board
Longtime friends of Leo.
Join us in spreading a little love.
Support our work, or apply for a grant to grow your community.
{{ bioName }}
{{ para }}
Where the love has gone.
For four decades, Leo's spirit has flowed into hundreds of Southern California communities, one act of care at a time. Every organization below carries the seasons forward.
Featured stories
Real people and organizations we've supported.
Connection, without a single word.
Connected Horse pairs people living with early-stage dementia and their care partners with horses, in workshops built on presence rather than conversation. A horse reads posture and breath, not memory, so the relationship starts on equal footing. Participants leave calmer; care partners leave less alone.
Stories from the field
Drawn from our grantees' own final reports.
Heidi Duckler Dance Theatre
Over six weeks, the Duck Truck Residency taught a combined 5th–6th grade class at Warren Lane Elementary in Inglewood to tell stories through movement. Students too shy to work outside their friend groups ended up choreographing together, and performing for their entire 250-student school.
"The students who had originally been shy became the most confident performers."
Down For Dance
Down For Dance opens dance, yoga, and art to people of all abilities across Southern California. Our grant helped grow their Movement and Art Initiative: 18 winter classes spanning hip hop to ballet, a new workshop series, and nine community performances where dancers of all abilities share the same stage. In May, CBS Mornings' Lisa Ling featured their story nationwide.
City Impact
At Cabrillo Village in Ventura County, City Impact ran after-school tutoring, arts, and play for 60+ students, and, with FOOD Share, a pantry serving families with fresh produce and groceries every other week.
Crow Comedy · Storyectomy
Through a six-week narrative arts residency in Santa Monica, The Crow guided unhoused participants and guest comedians to tell their own stories onstage, turning vulnerability into dignity and helping audiences see a shared humanity beyond the statistics.
Families & Criminal Justice
FCJ works to prevent intergenerational crime and incarceration. Family Advocates like Tamara lead the MIRACLE Project for pregnant prisoners at the Los Angeles County jail, and mother-infant socializations that keep families bonded through and beyond incarceration.
Jericho Road Pasadena
Jericho Road matches skilled professionals with local nonprofits for pro bono projects, like helping the 90-year-old Pasadena Museum of History untangle and rebuild its website to reach more visitors and supporters.
Could your organization be next?
Our next Inspire Giving Grant cycle runs February through April 2027.
Learn about grants →Four decades of giving
Every grant we've made, year by year.
{{ y.year }}
{{ y.summary }}
▾
Pull up a chair.
Leo saved you a page.
More than eleven million copies of Leo Buscaglia's books are out in the world, in 24 editions. Here's the whole shelf, plus a few sweet things we hand out along the way.
And yes, that's Leo the dog. Named for the man himself, he takes his reading very seriously: one chapter, one nap, repeat.
The story behind our leaf.
Leo's tender allegory follows Freddie the leaf through the seasons as he learns that change, and giving back, is the most natural, loving part of life. It's the story that inspires everything we do, and a gentle way to talk about life and love with readers of every age.
Buy this book →Timeless titles on love
Carry a little love.
Two canvas totes, each printed with a line of Leo's. One rose, one wildflower field. Every purchase helps fund the next round of grants.
Invite us to your event and we'll bring the sweet stuff.
We love tabling at community fairs, school nights, readings, and fundraisers. Stickers and bookmarks are free to anyone who stops by, and Leo's books are available for purchase at our table.
Invite us to your event
Read a little love. Pass it on.
Leo's books are available through our publishing partner. Every reader who discovers his words helps keep the seasons of giving turning.
Visit the bookstore →