Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles Names Lori Klein as Vice President of its Center for Designed Philanthropy

Friday, January 31, 2020

The Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles (The Foundation) today announced Lori Klein has joined as vice president of its Center for Designed Philanthropy (The Center). The Foundation, with more than $1 billion of assets, is the largest manager of charitable assets and planned-giving solutions for local Jewish philanthropists.

In her new position, Klein will be responsible for managing all grantmaking programs, as well as helping donors establish meaningful charitable legacies and maximize the impact of their giving. Additionally, Klein will lead The Center’s family philanthropy planning activities, engaging multiple generations in giving that reflects their values and their visions for bettering the world.

Foundation President and Chief Executive Officer Marvin I. Schotland stated: “We are pleased to welcome Lori Klein to The Center and as a member of our senior management team. She brings extensive experience in strategic planning, program development and management, grantmaking, volunteer management, mentoring, and organizational and board development. Lori’s background and leadership skills will be a significant asset to our grantmaking initiatives. Her thoughtful approach to strategic philanthropy will help our family of donors better achieve their charitable goals and make meaningful investments in the community.”

Klein joins The Foundation from Students 4 Students, where she was the executive director. Previously, she served as associate chief program officer and senior vice president of the Caring for Jews in Need initiative at the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles. Earlier, she was associate director of the Zelikow School of Jewish Nonprofit Management at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR), and previously held various programming and fundraising positions in the Jewish community.

Klein earned master’s degrees in social work from USC and in Jewish communal service from HUC-JIR. She received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from UCLA. In 2016, she was conferred an honorary doctorate in Jewish Nonprofit Management by HUC-JIR. Klein has written, presented, and facilitated conversations on bridging the generational divide in Jewish nonprofits. Her article on altering behavioral perceptions and expectations in Jewish nonprofit institutions was featured in the Journal of Jewish Communal Service.

About The Jewish Community Foundation

Established in 1954, the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles manages charitable assets of more than $1 billion entrusted to it by over 1,300 families and ranks among the 10 largest Los Angeles foundations. It partners with donors to shape meaningful philanthropic strategies, magnify the impact of their giving, and build enduring charitable legacies. In 2018, The Foundation and its donors distributed $115 million in grants to 2,700 nonprofits with programs that span the range of philanthropic giving. Over the past 15 years, it has distributed more than $1 billion to thousands of nonprofits across a diverse spectrum. www.jewishfoundationla.org