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What does Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies do?
Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies strives for a future in which the United States and Israel live up to their highest ideals and achieve more just and inclusive societies. We work to advance racial, gender and economic equity in the U.S., as well as to foster a more joyful and diverse Jewish community. In Israel, we work toward a secure homeland for the Jewish people, a thriving democracy and an inclusive society that cares for its most vulnerable. We aim to drive and support long-term systemic change through investments in leaders, organizations and U.S. public policy.
What are Schusterman Family Philanthropies’ core portfolios and funding priorities?
Our work is primarily focused in seven portfolios in which we hope to make a deep and lasting impact.
- Criminal Justice: We seek to build healthy and safe communities by ending mass criminalization and incarceration, repairing the harm caused by a criminal legal system built on structural racism, and creating new pathways to justice and safety. Learn more about our work in criminal justice reform.
- Democracy and Voting Rights: We support efforts to protect our freedom to vote, to allow trusted election officials to count every ballot, and to engage everyone in our electoral process so they are fully represented in our country’s policymaking. Learn more about our work in democracy and voting rights.
- Education: We seek to build an equitable society in which Black and Latino students from low-income backgrounds can access a grade-level, engaging, affirming and meaningful K-12 education that empowers them on their own path to social and economic liberation. Learn more about our work in education.
- Gender and Reproductive Equity: We seek to build an equitable world in which all women—particularly Black, Indigenous and women of color—and transgender and gender-expansive people have freedom and control over their bodies, equal political and economic power, and safety from violence and harassment in all aspects of their lives. Learn more about work in gender and reproductive equity.
- Hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma: We support efforts to help youth and families in the Schusterman family’s hometown overcome the effects of systemic social, racial and economic inequality to achieve their full potential. Learn more about our work in Tulsa.
- Israel: We seek to strengthen Israel as a secure homeland for the Jewish people, a thriving democracy and an inclusive society that cares for its most vulnerable. Learn more about our work in Israel.
- Jewish Community: We seek to strengthen the future of the Jewish community by empowering young people to connect with inclusive Jewish values, deepen their understanding of Israel and contribute to a better world. Learn more about our work in the Jewish community.
Why did your organization change its name?
In 1987, our organization was founded as the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation. In January 2021, the Schusterman family announced that, going forward, their philanthropic work would be conducted under the name Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies. The new name reflects the broad range of the Schusterman family’s philanthropic and advocacy efforts in the United States and Israel.
In the U.S., Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies includes the charitable grantmaking and programmatic work of the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation, as well as the advocacy activities supported by the Schusterman family. In Israel, the organization operates as Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies – Israel, the English translation of the registered amutah (nonprofit) קרן שוסטרמן – ישראל. Schusterman.org serves as the website for Schusterman Family Philanthropies and reflects highlights of key activities in the U.S. and Israel.
Read our official announcement and a reflection from Stacy Schusterman to learn more about why we changed our public name.
Who are Charles and Lynn Schusterman?
Charles and Lynn Schusterman co-founded the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation in 1987 to help ensure a vibrant future for the Jewish people, the State of Israel and their hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma. At the heart of their philanthropy was a deep commitment to providing young people with the knowledge, self-confidence and experiences they need to better their lives and, in turn, become leaders in their communities. Learn more about Charles and Lynn.
Today, the Schusterman family’s philanthropic work is conducted under the name Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies, which includes the charitable grantmaking and programmatic work of the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation, as well as the advocacy activities supported by the Schusterman family.
Who leads the organization?
Our organization is currently chaired by Stacy Schusterman, daughter of Charles and Lynn Schusterman. Learn more about Stacy.
How much does Schusterman Family Philanthropies give?
In 2023, Schusterman Family Philanthropies gave $414 million across the U.S. and Israel through its charitable and advocacy grantmaking. Since our founding in 1987, Schusterman Family Philanthropies has given over $2 billion to fund meaningful work across our seven portfolios.
How do I apply for a grant?
We do not accept unsolicited grant proposals from organizations or individuals. Our grant application process is by invitation only.
Can individuals apply for grants from Schusterman Family Philanthropies?
No, we do not provide grants to individuals.
Does Schusterman Family Philanthropies accept donations?
We do not solicit nor accept donations. However, we encourage those who want to give to our organization to support public charities in our portfolios.
What is ROI Community and how do I apply?
ROI Community, an initiative within our Israel portfolio, is a global network that connects and mobilizes innovative Jewish and Israeli changemakers to address complex challenges in Jewish communities, Israel and the world. ROI welcomes new members through its signature Summit and engages them through year-round opportunities designed to create an infrastructure for them to collaborate, strengthen their professional toolboxes, and make deep and measurable impact in strategic focus areas.
Application to the ROI Summit is by recommendation. Ahead of the Summit, ROI Community members and organizational partners receive an invitation to recommend a candidate to join ROI Community. The candidate is then invited to apply to the upcoming ROI Summit. Learn more about ROI Community.
What is the REALITY program?
Schusterman ran the REALITY program from 2009 until June 2024. The program is continuing under itrek, a longtime grantee of Schusterman Family Philanthropies. Over its first 15 years, REALITY brought more than 3,000 leaders from diverse communities, backgrounds and sectors on week-long learning journeys to Israel. These journeys helped build participants’ understanding of Israel and the surrounding region while deepening their ability to lead on complex issues and connecting with peer from across the globe. The program made a significant contribution to the field of Israel travel. Learn more about the lasting impact of REALITY.
What was the Schusterman Fellowship?
Schusterman operated the Schusterman Fellowship from 2015 to June 2024. The highly selective program shaped the leadership of nearly 200 senior professionals committed to building and sustaining Jewish communal life and Israeli society. The program made significant contributions to the leadership development field.
While Schusterman no longer runs the Fellowship, it continues to invest in leadership development in the Jewish sector through its U.S. Jewish grantmaking portfolio. Learn more about the lasting impact of the Schusterman Fellowship.
Does Schusterman Family Philanthropies have any jobs available?
View our current job openings.