Thomas C. Werner
/SOURCE OF WEALTH: Carsey Werner Television
FUNDING AREAS: Education & Youth, Health, Human Services, Arts & Culture, Jewish Causes
OVERVIEW: Tom Werner and family do their grantmaking through the Werner Family Foundation, which made under $1 million in grants in a recent year. The family via the foundation supports their schools, youth organizations, Jewish causes, and more. They support organizations in Boston, Milwaukee, Austin, and Los Angeles.
BACKGROUND: Thomas C. Werner graduated from Harvard in 1971. He started working at ABC television in 1973. He went on to co-found Carsey Werner Television and served as an executive producer on hits like The Cosby Show and A Different World. He is also a co-owner of the Boston Red Sox.
ISSUES:
EDUCATION & YOUTH: The Werner family, via their foundation, supported organizations like UCLA Foundation, Teach for America – Milwaukee, Milwaukee College Preparatory School of Wisconsin, Vassar College, Communities in Schools of Los Angeles, and The Neighborhood House Charter School. The Werner family is spread throughout the country, with son Teddy having ties to Milwaukee, daughter Carolyn to Austin, and Amanda to Boston.
HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES: Carolyn runs WeViva, a nonprofit that provides affordable fitness and nutrition for low-income families in the Austin area. The family supported the organization via their foundation. Other past grantees include Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and CLARE Foundation, which works with addiction.
ARTS & CULTURE: Past grantees include Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, New England Aquarium, and Zoological Society of Milwaukee.
OTHER: The family also supports Jewish organizations like Jewish Community Center Austin, as well as select environmental and global outfits.
LOOKING FORWARD: With ties to several cities, this wealthy family should be watched for greater giving down the line.
CONTACT:
The Werner Family Foundation does not provide a clear avenue of contact but below is an address:
The Werner Family Foundation
11601 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 1840
Los Angeles, CA 90025
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