A Most Notable Life Inaugural Report 1987 – 2001 CHARLES AND LYNN SCHUSTERMAN family foundation Message from the President 2 Charles Schusterman 4 How to Apply for a Grant 13 THE CHARLESMilestones 16 The Foundation in Action 18 Across the United States 21 Around the World 29 Throughout Oklahoma 33 AND L YNNGiving Summary 41 Officers and Staff 44 SCHUSTERMANThe Charles and Lynn Schusterman F FamilyAMILY Foundation supports programs that seek to enrich and expand Jewish FOUNDATIONcommunities in the United States, Israel WASand the former Soviet Union. ESTABThe foundation also provides assistance to LISHEDnon-sectarian charitable organizations IN dedicated to enhancing the quality of 1987life in Tulsa, Oklahoma, especially in TO SUPORTthe areas of education, child PRO GRAMSdevelopment and community service. THAT ENHANCEour MISSION C HARLES AND L YNN S CHUSTERMAN F AMILY F OUNDATION A Most Notable Life he late Charles Schusterman, known to many as Charlie, lived a remarkable life. He was an Tintelligent and passionate man with great vision, a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist, who constantly pursued excellence and cared deeply about making a difference in the world. Charlie was also a loving husband, devoted father, adoring grandfather and committed Jew. And then there were his notes. Wherever he went, Charlie carried a freshly sharpened pencil and his familiar, unlined pad. As important concepts about life, business, leadership, health or philosophy crystallized in his impressive mind, he would craft a note to himself or someone close to him. He was always listening, thinking, analyzing and writing, often employing rules of spelling and grammar that were functional, if not conventional. Some notes were scribbled to help Charlie remember, others to help him clarify and understand. As a tribute to Charlie, and as a window onto the fundamental tenets of our philanthropic agenda, this report features a selection of those notes. Together, they help chronicle our past, explain our present and illuminate our future. – 1 – C HARLES AND L YNN S CHUSTERMAN F AMILY F OUNDATION Message from the PresidenT ublishing an annual report is some- mistakes,” he used to say with a chuckle, thing many of us at the Foundation “but I prefer to learn from the mistakes Phave wanted to do for several years. of others.” Each time the idea came before our board, His unquenchable thirst for knowledge however, the same person asked us to and love of people led Charlie from board- wait a little longer: my late husband, rooms to classrooms, and from conferences Charles Schusterman. to conversations into which he would draw It was not that Charlie was opposed in those around him. He particularly enjoyed principle to issuing an annual report. Like talking to young people, believing they all of us at the CLSFF, he took great pride possess a unique perspective on how to build in the accomplishments of our grantees and for the future. And not only did he go and the strength of their leadership. Charlie also see and do, Charlie also read everything he recognized the importance of accountability could, always chiding himself for lacking on both sides of the philanthropic equation, discipline whenever he stuffed a nonessential for foundations and for those we fund. So, publication into his briefcase to read at night why did Charlie resist an annual report? “Because,” he told us, “we’re not ready.” He was deservedly and To Charlie, being ready meant under- UNIVERSALLY RESPECTED standing the broadest outlines and smallest details of every issue. He always wanted to for his ability to assess and gather and analyze as much data as possible manage risk... in business, before making a decision or taking action. Trained as a petroleum engineer, Charlie philanthropy and, of course, in was ready when he went into the oil business battling two fatal diseases. with his brother. He was also fully prepared when he forged ahead on his own by found- or over the weekend. Charlie embodied ing Samson Resources Company in 1971. information overload, as anyone who ever After being diagnosed with leukemia twelve saw the piles of newspapers, magazines and years later, he searched everywhere for industry newsletters he kept at our home information on the disease and fortified and in his office can attest. himself with knowledge before entering the In the midst of all this activity, however, experimental protocol that extended his life stood a focused man with a keen mind and by almost two decades. And, during the relentless drive. He was deservedly and additional years he enjoyed thanks to modern universally respected for his ability to assess medicine and his overwhelming will to live, and manage risk, a talent he displayed over Charlie worked hard to discover all he could and over again when confronted with new about philanthropy. “People learn from their and daunting challenges in every aspect – 2 – C HARLES AND L YNN S CHUSTERMAN F AMILY F OUNDATION By the time he died last December, our family had already pledged and contributed more than $50 million toward the two objectives Charlie had set for us in the early 1990s – over half of which was committed in just the last two years. The table around which we made our funding decisions had moved from our kitchen to a downtown office, and the people making those decisions had grown to include the members of our experienced professional staff. Charlie’s innermost thoughts about philanthropy and life, as well as the lessons he learned during his endless quest for additional knowledge, Charles and Lynn Schusterman had been communicated to those of us he knew would survive him. And, for at least the of his extraordinary life – in business, next few years, our course had been charted. philanthropy and, ultimately, in battling Thanks to Charlie, we’re ready. two fatal diseases. B’shalom, espite these illnesses and the debil- itating side effects that followed, DCharlie vigorously pursued a two- pronged philanthropic agenda with goals that were both visionary and achievable. First and foremost, Charlie wanted to ensure Lynn Schusterman that a critical mass of engaged Jews live in December 2001 North America in the 21st century and beyond. Only then, he was convinced, could his beloved Jewish people continue to have a positive impact on the world – to truly serve as a “light unto the nations.” Charlie also felt a special loyalty to his hometown. He was deeply committed to helping local organizations that shared his desire to help people improve their skills and build better lives. – 3 – Charles Schusterman [1935 – 2000] CHARLES C HARLES AND L YNN S CHUSTERMAN F AMILY F OUNDATION “LThe youngestORD of, fourNOW children, I UNDERSTANDCharles was born on September YOU21, 1935, to Russian immigrantsOU living in Tulsa, !YOklahoma. Eight HAVEdays later, as is customary GIVEN in the MEJewish Areligion, GIFT Charlie’s FEWparents RECEIVEritually entered him.Y into OUthe HAVEcovenant between God and AL the LOWEDJewish people. They also gave ME him a Hebrew name, Bezalel, one that TOturned out SEE to be more prophetic MY TREEthan anyone could have BEAR foretold. S FRUITschusterman.THANK C HARLES AND L YNN S CHUSTERMAN F AMILY F OUNDATION “While no one person is obligated olam], neither is anyone free to ezalel was the man called upon to as BBYO. He illustrated, years ago, that he build a place for God here in the was comfortable living a dual existence and Bworld and he did so by motivating carried it forward into his adult years. others to contribute their possessions, talents Upon completing high school, and and time to achieve a common goal that without much forethought, Charlie decided would strengthen and serve all Jews. As to venture 100 miles west of Tulsa to attend explained in the Torah, Exodus 31:1 – the University of Oklahoma. Upon his arrival Behold, I have called upon Bezalel by in Norman, undeterred by name… and filled him with a divine spirit, the fact he had neglected with wisdom and understanding, and a to enroll in classes, Charlie knowledge of all craft, so that he might quickly negotiated his way weave visions and build them… These words, into school and began inscribed on Charles’ headstone, speak to pursuing his degree in who he was and how he lived his life. petroleum engineering. Charlie and his siblings grew up humble The Charles Schusterman at OU differed by but happy in an Orthodox Jewish household at least one important measure from the in north Tulsa, literally on the wrong side of Tulsa schoolboy: At the university, Charlie the tracks. While a student at Central High channeled his passion for life into academics. School, young Charlie particularly enjoyed He excelled as a student and graduated with cheerleading and dating, a teenage pursuit he honors in 1958, having been recognized as later characterized as “time well spent.” He one of the Top 10 Freshmen and one of the studied occasionally, but was more likely to Top 10 Seniors. Charlie left school with a be found playing desire to utilize his own capabilities to create poker to generate something meaningful. money for At age 19, Charlie lost his beloved dad. dating. In Being Sam’s son was a fundamental part of addition to his personal identity, equaled in significance being the lone only by his deep-rooted appreciation for being Jewish member Jewish. In 1971, the depth of his paternal of his chosen connection was enduringly honored when high school Charlie chose the name Samson for the daring fraternity, Charlie enterprise that would bring him fame and also served as the Aleph Gadol (a position fortune in the energy business. Many years similar to president) of the local chapter of later, just weeks before he died, Charlie again the international Jewish youth group known chose to honor the memory of his father by – 6 – C HARLES AND L YNN S CHUSTERMAN F AMILY F OUNDATION d to complete the task [of tikkun o desist from it.” PIRKE AVOT (Ethics of the Fathers 2:16) adorning a new, Schusterman-supported endeavors.