Michael and Jamie Lynton

SOURCE OF WEALTH: Sony Entertainment

FUNDING AREAS: Education, Human Services & Human Rights, Health

OVERVIEW: Michael Lynton and his wife Jamie do their grantmaking through the Lynton Foundation, which prioritizes New York and made a little under $2 million in grants in a recent year. The couple supports education, with schools in the northeast receiving the bulk of their grantmaking. The Lynton Foundation also supports human services, health, and other causes.

BACKGROUND: Michael Lynton was born in London. He attended international school at The Hague, before transferring to Phillips Exeter Academy. From Exeter, Lynton received his undergraduate degree and MBA from Harvard. Lynton joined The Walt Disney Company in 1987, and started Disney Publishing, serving as president. From 1996 to 2000, Lynton served as chairman and CEO of Pearson plc's Penguin Group, where he oversaw the acquisition of Putnam, Inc. Lynton has also worked for Time Warner and served as CEO of AOL Europe, president of AOL International and president of Time Warner International. Lynton served as CEO of Sony Entertainment and chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment. He was also chairman of Snap and is the chairman of Warner Music Group.

ISSUES:

EDUCATION: The Lynton Foundation has recently supported Harvard University, where Lynton serves on the board of overseers. Other grantees include Yale, Sarah Lawrence College, and Columbia University. On the K–12 front, grantees include East Harlem Tutorial Program, a" nonprofit group which offers youngsters individualized tutoring in reading, writing, math, science, and computers"; Center for Educational Innovation (CEI), a nonprofit education organization located in New York City; KIPP Ascend Academy; and Ethical Culture Fieldston. It is worth noting that Lynton's wife Jamie is the founder and executive editor of LA School Report, which was launched in 2012 to "help inform the public about the inner-workings of the Los Angeles Unified school district."

HUMAN SERVICES & HUMAN RIGHTS: The Lynton Foundation has recently supported Goddard Riverside Community Center, "one of New York City’s leading human service organizations," whose program areas include children, youth and families, homeless people, older adults, and advocacy and tenant assistance. It supports Human Rights Watch, Sanctuary for Families ("dedicated to the safety, healing and self-determination of victims of domestic violence and related forms of gender violence"), CARE, and Volunteers of Legal Service, which "provides pro bono legal assistance to the city’s neediest residents."

HEALTH: The foundation supports Planned Parenthood, Peer Health Exchange, Mental Health Association and a few health outfits in the suburbs of New York City such as White Plains Hospital. 

LOOKING FORWARD: Lynton is only in his 60s and is still very much engaged in business. The Lynton Foundation prioritizes New York City organizations but with the family's move to Los Angeles, perhaps the West Coast will receive more attention. The couple may conduct some of their philanthropy through other channels, however, and we may be missing important grants.

CONTACT:

The Lynton Foundation does not provide a clear avenue for getting in touch but below is an address

The Lynton Foundation
33 W. 81st St.
New York, NY 10024