Lowell Milken's philanthropic efforts reflect his deep commitment to making a significant and lasting impact on society by unleashing human potential—the skills, knowledge, and meaningful experiences of people of all ages. His proactive and hands-on approach to philanthropy ensures that his initiatives are scalable, sustainable, and impactful. Through the Milken Family Foundation, which he co-founded in 1982, and the Lowell Milken Family Foundation, which he founded in 1986, Lowell has been at the forefront of many of the most significant educational and medical research initiatives in the USA.
The Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes highlights his dedication to discovering and sharing the stories of unsung heroes. The Center’s Discovery Award initiative inspires and educates students worldwide by recognizing students who discover untold stories of unsung heroes and create projects that promote the importance of these individuals' contributions to history and society. The center's ARTEFFECT Project is an international art competition for secondary school students that encourages students to create art inspired by these unsung heroes, fostering a deeper connection to history and personal responsibility.
Lowell's newest initiative, the Lowell Milken Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofits at UCLA, aims to cultivate future leaders in philanthropy, ensuring a legacy of giving and social impact. His holistic approach to philanthropy focuses on creating environments where individuals can develop, thrive, and achieve their full potential. Lowell Milken's philanthropic legacy is one of empowerment, innovation, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.
Philanthropy Highlights
1967
American Heart Association
Collaborated with other Task Force volunteers to solicit donations and communicate the association's programs effectively.
1974
City of Hope
As an active member, played a role in the local City of Hope chapter, raising funds for the hospital through organizing and hosting various events.
1982
Milken Family Foundation
Co-founded the Milken Family Foundation with his brother Michael, establishing its mission to build human resources that enable individuals and their communities to lead productive and fulfilling lives. The Foundation focuses on advancing education and medical research.
1984
Teacher Incentive Fund Grant Program
Established the Teacher Incentive Fund Grant Program in Los Angeles schools to enhance teachers’ skills, knowledge, and experience by offering curricula, study, and travel grants.
1984
UC Berkeley and UPenn Academic Grant Programs
Created grant programs at UC Berkeley and the University of Pennsylvania to supplement academic salaries, helping attract and retain exceptional young professors and scholars.
1985
Milken Educator Awards
Conceived and founded the Milken Educator Awards, a national initiative celebrating exemplary K-12 educators. Known as the "Oscars of Teaching," the nations most preeminent educational awards program has already honored over 3,000 outstanding educators, each receiving a $25,000 unrestricted financial prize and access to a national professional development network.
1986
Lowell Milken Family Foundation
Founded a private philanthropic organization aimed at strengthening communities through education and innovation.
1987
University-Community Outreach Program
Formulated and co-founded the University Community Outreach Program to foster collaboration projects between campuses and local communities, benefiting students and community members alike. This initiative introduced the Milken Young Entrepreneurs Program (YEP), piloted at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School and later expanded to Columbia University and UC Berkeley.
1990
Milken Archive of Jewish Music
Founded the Milken Archive, dedicated to discovering, preserving, and disseminating music reflecting the American Jewish experience. The archive includes over 600 recorded works, extensive oral histories, award-winning liner notes, and a virtual museum.
1995
Milken Community Schools
Co-founded, with Rabbi Isaiah Zeldin, a nationally recognized Jewish day school. The school provides a college preparatory education to over 800 students, fostering intellectual, spiritual, artistic, and physical development.
1999
TAP System for Teacher and Student Advancement
Created the TAP System to enhance teacher quality and student performance through career advancement, professional growth, accountability, and performance-based compensation.
2005
National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET)
Founded this public non-profit organization to manage and expand the TAP System and other teacher quality initiatives to improve instructional skills and student outcomes. Today, NIET impacts over 350,000 teachers and 3.5 million students nationwide.
2007
Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes
Founded this public non-profit organization dedicated to worldwide promotion of human dignity and understanding through original, student made, history projects of unsung heroes. This program has since discovered hundreds of unsung heroes, engaged more than 1 million students globally, and welcomes visitors annually to its 'Hall of Unsung Heroes' in Fort Scott, KS, recognised as one of the 'Best small meuseums in America'.
2011
Lowell Milken Institute for Business Law and Policy at UCLA
Established this Institute with the largest founding gift to the UCLA School of Law at that time, creating initiatives and high-level scholarship that bridge academia and real-world applications in business and law.
2017
Hoffmitz Milken Center for Typography (HMCT)
Founded the Hoffmitz Milken Center for Typography with ArtCenter College of Design in memory of Professor Leah Hoffmitz Milken. The center is a world leader in letter form design, setting the standard for global typography and visual communication.
2016
ARTEFFECT
Founded an initiative that empowers students to creatively explore the lives of unsung heroes through the visual arts, fostering critical thinking, social awareness, and a deeper connection to history.
2019
Lowell Milken Center for Music of American Jewish Experience at UCLA
Established this center at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, creating a first of its kind hub for research, performance, and education to celebrate and preserve the rich musical heritage of American Jewish Experience.
2018
Aaron Milken Center
Envisioned and established a world-class early childhood educational experience at Stephen Wise. A new state of the art facility provides children with educational opportunities to nurture their development.
2022
Lowell Milken Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofits
Conceptualized and established this new center at UCLA School of Law to advance education, thought leadership, and scholarship in philanthropy and nonprofit management, to lead and inspire the next generation of philanthropists.