The Chuck Lorre Family Foundation is dedicated to funding innovative and compassionate organizations in the areas of education, health, and the arts. Reflecting the values and unique experiences of the Lorre family, the foundation supports programs, services, and opportunities for those struggling with less and striving for more.
ABOUT US
One of the greatest satisfactions of Chuck Lorre's career has been the opportunity to give back. His commitment to philanthropy began in the 1990s when he established the Dharma Grace Foundation. In 2013, he expanded his philanthropic endeavors with The Chuck Lorre Family Foundation as a way to fund and more deeply engage with select forward-thinking charitable organizations and institutions. TCLFF supports philanthropic partnerships and programs with organizations and institutions that inspire hope, leadership, creativity, and productivity, primarily in the Los Angeles area.
Chuck Lorre Bio
Chuck Lorre is a prolific television writer and producer, having created, executive produced, or written over 1000 episodes of television spanning the past 3 decades. Lorre co-created and serves as executive producer of six current series, including the acclaimed, award-winning CBS comedies “Young Sheldon,” “Mom,” “Bob Hearts Abishola,” “B Positive,” and the recently launched “United States of Al.” Additionally, he created/executive produced “The Kominsky Method” starring Michael Douglas for Netflix. “The Kominsky Method” has received three Golden Globe® Award nominations - winning two - including Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy for Lorre, as well as Best Performance by an Actor in a TV Series – Musical or Comedy for Douglas, plus three Emmy Award nominations.
Lorre also co-created and executive produced the global blockbuster comedy “The Big Bang Theory,” which concluded its highly successful 12-season run in May 2019, finishing as the longest-running multicamera comedy in television history. He also co-created/executive produced the comedy “Disjointed,” starring Academy Award® and Emmy® winner Kathy Bates, for Netflix; the comedy “Mike & Molly” starring Billy Gardell and Melissa McCarthy; and the long-running hit comedy “Two and a Half Men.” He created the successful series “Cybill,” “Dharma & Greg,” and “Grace Under Fire.” Additionally, he was the co-executive producer on “Roseanne” and was a writer on “Charles in Charge” and “My Two Dads.”
Starting as a guitarist/singer, touring the country and writing pop songs, Lorre had a top 40 hit with Debbie Harry’s song, “French Kissin’ in the USA.” After more than a decade on the road, Lorre turned his attention to television. He began writing animation scripts for DIC and Marvel Productions, as well as writing and producing the themes and scores for several animated series, including “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.”
The recipient of a variety of awards throughout his career, Lorre was honored with a BMI Crystal Award for co-writing the “Two and a Half Men” theme song and was named an honorary member of the Royal Canadian Institute for the Advancement of Science for his work on “The Big Bang Theory.” In 2009, Lorre was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in addition to receiving the NATPE Brandon Tartikoff Legacy Award and the Television Showman of the Year Award at the 46th Annual ICG Publicists Ceremony. In 2012, he was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame, and in 2016, he was inducted into the NAB (National Association of Broadcasters) Hall of Fame.
Lorre released a book in 2012 titled “What Doesn’t Kill Us Makes Us Bitter," a compilation of his vanity cards that appear at the end of his television shows. All of Lorre’s proceeds from the sale of the book benefitted healthcare-related charities and educational efforts, including the Venice Family Clinic, where he previously established the Robert Levine Family Health Center named for his father. For his work on behalf of the clinic, he was honored with their prestigious Venice Family Clinic Silver Circle Humanitarian Award. He was the recipient of the David Angell Humanitarian Award bestowed by the American Screenwriters Association in recognition of his charitable commitment to the clinic.
In 2015, Lorre established “The Big Bang Theory” Scholarship Endowment at UCLA to support undergraduate students in need of financial aid who are pursuing their higher education in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). With an initial donation from The Chuck Lorre Family Foundation (TCLFF) combined with gifts from nearly 80 people associated with “The Big Bang Theory” — including producers, cast, and crew — plus contributions from other industry partners and leaders in the years since, “The Big Bang Theory” Scholarship Endowment has raised more than $5.5 million as of May 2019 and will now fund 10 scholarships per year — in perpetuity (up from five initially). Currently, there are 42 TBBT/UCLA scholars, and the first class of 20 scholars graduated in 2019.
In March 2019, in honor of the end of the series, TCLFF established "The Big Bang Theory" Graduate Fellowship. This fund will provide scholarships for up to five years exclusively for graduating TBBT/UCLA scholars who will be continuing their STEM education within the University of California system. TBBT/UCLA graduating scholars who will be pursuing their graduate studies outside of the UC system will be eligible for a one-time scholarship.
In September 2018, TCLFF expanded its commitment to STEM education with the creation of a new grant program — THE YOUNG SHELDON STEM INITIATIVE — inspired by the hit comedy series “Young Sheldon.” The program was created in support of our nation’s public schools, teachers, and students to foster excitement for learning in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). This program funds two-year educational grants awarded to 40 select elementary, middle, and high schools in Southern California, where the show is produced, and East Texas, where the show is set.
A native of Long Island, N.Y., Lorre resides in Los Angeles.
OUR PROGRAMS
TBBT/UCLA Scholars Program
In 2015, The Chuck Lorre Family Foundation–with support from The Big Bang Theory cast, producers, studio, and network–proudly created the first-ever TV series scholarship endowment with UCLA. This scholarship supports undergraduate students with promising academic merit in need of financial aid who are pursuing higher education in the fields of STEM. In its inaugural year, twenty scholarships were awarded during the 2015-2016 school year, and new Scholars have been added each year since, totaling 84 undergraduate Scholars to date. TBBT/UCLA scholars have created an official club at UCLA to provide study and community opportunities.
The Big Bang Theory Graduate Fellowship was created in 2019 to provide up to five year scholarships for TBBT/UCLA scholars who will be continuing their STEM education within the UC system. Currently, the program supports 13 graduate scholars studying at UCLA, UCSB, UC Irvine, UC Riverside, UC Davis, and UC Berkeley.
Venice Family Clinic/Chuck Lorre Rose Avenue Health And Wellness Center
In 2023, The Chuck Lorre Rose Avenue Health and Wellness Center opened after extensive renovations were funded by The Chuck Lorre Family Foundation. The updates improved public access by moving the pharmacy to the ground floor; adding a community room for fitness classes and other group sessions; creating multi-purpose treatment rooms; improving spaces for behavioral health and substance use services; and offering showers for people experiencing homelessness to use before their appointments. A separate pediatric waiting room and dedicated pediatric exam rooms were also added during the renovation. Providing an oasis of care for the Venice community, this beautiful, modern space connects feelings with treatment, and can now serve over 11,000 patients annually.
A long-time supporter of the Venice Family Clinic, TCLFF is committed to helping VFC offer comprehensive health services to communities throughout Los Angeles. In 2004, the Robert Levine Family Health Center–named after Mr. Lorre’s late father–was established to expand pre-natal and teen services. In early 2017, TCLFF funded major interior and exterior renovations of RLFHC creating additional exam rooms, counseling rooms, and expanding health education activities. The renovations included a beautiful new lobby, community room, and inviting courtyard, and can now accommodate an additional 1,000 patients per year.
Chuck Lorre School of Allied Health at Cedars-Sinai
The Chuck Lorre School of Allied Health at Cedars-Sinai will be a new school for underserved individuals seeking to grow their healthcare career opportunities through new skills and knowledge. Through industry-leading training for emerging healthcare professionals in six areas of work that are chronically understaffed, professionals who complete the training programs will advance their technical skills in respiratory therapy, pharmacy technician training, clinical laboratory science, MRI technology, radiologic technology or echo/cardio technology—areas identified as the most in-demand staffing needs in hospital settings, with careers in the six-figures.
Children's Hospital Los Angeles/Chuck Lorre Research Scholars Program
The Chuck Lorre Research Scholars Program was created as a result of our support for the LA-HIP, which we have funded since 2016. The Chuck Lorre Research Scholars Program creates a unique and valuable support system for underrepresented students once they enter college to encourage them to continue their scientific studies. Immersive, hands-on training with the nation’s top medical researchers will provide students with invaluable exposure to real-world investigations in accredited laboratories. Students will also have the opportunity to co-author scientific papers, network with other researchers at events and speaker seminars, and attend a national research conference. The Chuck Lorre Research Scholars Program welcomed its inaugural class in the summer of 2023.
As part of TCLFF’s mission to encourage STEM education, we also support Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and The Latino & African American High School Internship Program (LA-HIP). LA-HIP is unique in that it exclusively provides Latino and African American high school students a comprehensive STEM-based paid internship, focused on medical research in a lab setting with educational, academic, scientific, mentorship and career development activities.
Young Sheldon STEM Initiative
Established in 2018, the Young Sheldon K-12 public school STEM initiative supplements TCLFF’s collaborative formation of The Big Bang Theory Scholarship Endowment at UCLA. This unprecedented program was created in support of our nation’s public schools, teachers, and students to foster excitement for learning in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), and received initial funding support from Young Sheldon executive producers Steven Molaro and Jim Parsons.
This program, focused in Southern California, funds educational grants which are awarded directly to select K-12 schools where need is the highest. There are currently 115 schools receiving Young Sheldon STEM Initiative grants, and TCLFF has partnered with 9 Dots, Burbank USD, MOCA, and Just Keep Livin Foundation to distribute funds into schools. Additionally, the grant supports GALA, the only all-girls STEM school in LAUSD. Each of the Young Sheldon STEM Schools are also eligible for The Chuck Lorre Family Foundation Music Grants. Nationally, the program works with DonorsChoose on three annual tentpole campaigns: back to school, National STEM Day, and Teacher Appreciation Week.
Project Angel Food
Founded in 1989, Project Angel Food has served almost 17 million meals, as the organization strives to end food insecurity and improve the health outcomes of critically ill men, women and children in Los Angeles County. Opening in 2027, the brand new Chuck Lorre Family Foundation Campus at Project Angel Food will expand facilities and enable the organization to triple its meal production capacity. The facility’s present kitchen is already producing twice the number of meals it was designed to deliver. With the expansion, Project Angel Food will be capable of producing and delivering three times the number of meals the organization delivers today. In addition, expansion enables Project Angel Food to enhance client and nutrition services, establish a research and policy institute, and broaden its community of volunteers.
Trust For Public Land
In 2022, The Chuck Lorre Family Foundation joined forces with the Trust for Public Land’s in support of the first LAUSD Green Schoolyards Initiative project at Castellanos Elementary, turning their underutilized play area into a vibrant, engaging greenspace that will also be opened for community use on the weekends. Their greening projects include working directly with students at each school to design play spaces specifically for that community. This includes removing asphalt and replacing it with shade trees, drought-tolerant landscaping, nature-based play areas, and outdoor classrooms to educate and offer sanctuary for students. The Chuck Lorre Family Foundation is currently funding 5 additional Green Schoolyards in LAUSD.
News
October 15, 2024
The Chuck Lorre Family Foundation Makes Transformational Gift to Establish the Chuck Lorre Pediatric Health Education Institute at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
The Chuck Lorre Family Foundation- Opens in a new window has made one of the largest gifts in the history of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) to establish the Chuck Lorre Pediatric Health Education Institute. A first of its kind in the nation, it will serve as a model for training health professionals including doctors, nurses, clinical care providers, researchers, and students.
August 19, 2024
The Chuck Lorre Family Foundation Donates Half-Million Dollars, Setting a Record for the Biggest Single Day of Giving Exclusively for Music Projects on DonorsChoose
The Chuck Lorre Family Foundation (TCLFF) is directly supporting music education across U.S. public schools by donating $500,000 in resources for music teachers and students. TCLFF is partnering with the education nonprofit DonorsChoose to support projects submitted by teachers at Equity Focus Schools, which educate both a majority of students of color and a majority of students from low-income communities.
July 24, 2024
MOCA ANNOUNCES $1 MILLION GIFT FROM THE CHUCK LORRE FAMILY FOUNDATION
The Museum of Contemporary Art today announced an extraordinary $1 million gift from The Chuck Lorre Family Foundation (TCLFF) to support the museum’s nationally-renowned and longest-standing Los Angeles school–based learning initiative, Contemporary Art Start (CAS). Additionally, MOCA is partnering with TCLFF to expand the reach of the foundation’s innovative Young Sheldon Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Music Grant programs by administering supplemental grants to forty-eight CAS schools.
March 4, 2024
An even Bigger Bang: Chuck Lorre’s $24.5 million gift to empower low-income STEM students
A $24.5 million pledge from The Chuck Lorre Family Foundation will increase the existing endowment for Big Bang Theory Scholarships at UCLA and fund a new program with comprehensive “wraparound” services and resources for scholarship recipients. The UCLA Chuck Lorre Scholars Program will offer four years of scholarship, mentorship, and other support services beginning the summer before freshman year, as well as opportunities for graduate school funding.
Previous press and news articles
(December 5, 2023) The Chuck Lorre Family Foundation Makes $10 Million Gift to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles to Support Research Education for Underrepresented High School and College Students
(August 28, 2023) Venice Family Clinic Celebrated Completion Of Renovations At Its Flagship Site Newly Renamed The Chuck Lorre Rose Avenue Health And Wellness Center
(August 3, 2023) Project Angel Food to Double Size of Current Facilities, Adding New Building and Tripling Meal Production Capacity by 2027
(March 20, 2023) Lorre Family Foundation Gifts Cedars-Sinai $30M to Fund New School
(November 15, 2021) The Chuck Lorre Family Foundation Commits $1.5 Million to DonorsChoose
(October 7, 2021) The Paley Center For Media Announces The Peter Roth Internship Inaugural Class of 2021
(June 5, 2020) In Los Angeles, Big Donors and Public Schools Team Up on Food Insecurity
(April 27, 2020) Chuck Lorre Family Gives $250K 'Challenge Grant' to LAUSD for Student To-Go Meals
(February 28, 2020) Ripples Of Impact From "Big Bang" Scholarship Seen In Student's Success
(March 7, 2019) To Commemorate the Final Season of Big Bang Theory
(September 14, 2018) Young Sheldon To Foster STEM Learning In Public Schools
(October 15, 2015) Class is Now in Session with “The Big Bang Theory’s” Scholarship Endowment at UCLA
OUR PARTNERS
TCLFF does not accept unsolicited grant proposals or donations and proudly collaborates with the following partner organizations:
- 9 Dots/Compton USD/LAUSD
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Los Angeles
- Burbank Unified School District
- CA Volunteers Fund
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
- Children's Hospital Los Angeles
- CLARE/Matrix
- DonorsChoose
- GALA (Girls Academic Leadership Academy)
- Girls in Engineering at UCSC
- Girls Who Code
- GRAMMY Museum
- Healing California
- Midnight Mission
- Motion Picture & Television Fund
- One Voice
- Paley Center for Media
- Planned Parenthood Los Angeles
- Posse Foundation
- Project Angel Food
- Ready to Succeed
- Saban Community Clinic
- THR/Women in Entertainment Scholarship (Chapman University and Loyola Marymount University)
- Trust for Public Land
- UCLA
- United Friends of the Children
- Venice Family Clinic
- Watts Empowerment Center
- Young Eisner Scholars (YES)
If you wish to support our charitable partners by making a donation, kindly reach out to them directly via the links below.
CONTACT US
If you wish to contact us directly, please email [email protected]
- Trisha Cardoso, President & Chief Giving Officer
- Lauren Humphrey, Program & Operations Manager
- Eleanor Green, Office & Executive Assistant
The Chuck Lorre Family Foundation
c/o Mann Gelon Glodney Gumerove Yee LLP
1880 Century Park East, Suite 950
Los Angeles, CA 90067