SOURCE OF WEALTH: Davidson Kempner Capital Management, Portage Advisors
FUNDING AREAS: Jewish Causes, Education & Youth
OVERVIEW: Michael Leffell and his wife Lisa conduct their philanthropy through the Lisa and Michael Leffell Family Foundation, which is dedicated to Jewish education and strengthening security and vibrancy of the State of Israel. Available tax filings indicate that the foundation awarded $2 million in grants in 2017.
BACKGROUND: Michael Leffell has a B.A. (1981) from Clark University and a J.D. (1984) from Columbia Law School. He was a litigation associate at the New York law firm of Kaye, Scholer, Fierman, Hays & Handler. He went on to join Davidson Kempner Capital Management, where he was deputy executive managing member. Leffell founded Portage Advisors in 2010.
ISSUES:
JEWISH CAUSES: The Leffells steadily support the Jewish community. Grantees include Solomon Schechter School of Westchester (Michael is a trustee), Jewish Funders Network, American Israel Education Foundation, Friends of the Israel Defense Forces, and UJA Federation of New York.
EDUCATION & YOUTH: Leffell has supported alma mater Clark University. Other grantees include Emory University and Muhlenberg College, where their children have attended. The Hillel House at Muhlenberg was recently named The Leffell Center for Jewish Student Life.
OTHER: The family has also supported Council on Foreign Relations and Colon Cancer Challenge Foundation.
LOOKING FORWARD: Expect the couple’s support of Jewish causes to continue.
CONTACT:
The Lisa and Michael Leffell Family Foundation
10 E. 53rd., 18th Fl.
New York City, NY 10022
Telephone: (646) 532-2445
