Melvin Karmazin
/SOURCE OF WEALTH: Infinity Broadcasting Corp.; CBS; Sirius/XM Radio
FUNDING AREAS: Health, Human Services, Education & Youth, Animals, Arts & Culture
OVERVIEW: Melvin Karmazin does his grantmaking through the Mel Karmazin Foundation. Karmazin is heavily involved with Autism Speaks, where he sits on the board, as well as autism efforts at Rutgers University. Health, particularly behavioral and mental health, as well as cancer, appear to be funding priorities.
BACKGROUND: Born in New York, Melvin Karmazin attended Pace University. He worked at WCBS. In 1981 Infinity Broadcasting Company recruited Karmazin as its new president. Karmazin eventually became president and CEO of CBS. He was also the CEO of Sirius Radio/XM Radio, before stepping down a few years ago. Karmazin is a Broadcasting Hall of Fame inductee.
ISSUES:
HEALTH: Karmazin is a board member of Autism Speaks, which was founded in 2005 with the goal of changing the "future for all who struggle with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)." Karmazin has given the organization millions and the interest here is at least partly personal as Karmazin has an autistic grandson. Karmazin also has an interest in cancer, and has supported organizations like Damon Runyon Cancer Center, and Imus Ranch for Kids with Cancer. Other grantees include NYU Langone Medical Center.
HUMAN SERVICES: Karmazin has strongly supported New York antipoverty giant the Robin Hood Foundation. Other grantees include SAVE (Suicide Awareness Voices of Education), and WhyHunger which works on a global scale.
EDUCATION AND YOUTH: Karmazin strongly supports Rutgers University in New Jersey and has granted millions to the institution. Going back to his strong interest in autism advocacy, he recently helped spearhead the Rutgers Center for Adult Autism Services, which will provide "adults with autism a unique opportunity to live and work independently within a university setting." (Karmazin speaks about plans for the nascent center here.) Karmazin has also supported Princeton Child Development Institute, Teach for America, and Harlem Village Academies, among others.
ANIMALS: Grantees include Animal Medical Center, Humane Society of the United States, and North Shore Animal League.
ARTS AND CULTURE: Karmazin serves as vice chair of the board of trustees of the Paley Center for Media, which he supports. Other grantees include Ars Nova, an outfit is committed to "developing and producing theater, comedy and music artists in the early stages of their professional careers."
LOOKING FORWARD: Karmazin appears to be particularly passionate about autism research and advocacy, something to watch now that he has left his executive post at Sirius Radio/XM Radio.
CONTACT:
The Mel Karmazin Foundation does not provide a clear avenue for getting in touch but below is contact information
Mel Karmazin Foundation
1 Central Park West, 48B
New York City, NY 10023
Telephone: 609-924-5939
