Our Efforts
WILDLIFE
Monterey Bay Aquarium
For over 30 years, the Monterey Bay Aquarium has worked to protect ocean life for future generations by inspiring young and old with the beauty and wonder of the ocean. The Aquarium's Conservation & Science programs tackle some of the most critical issues affecting ocean health with decades of expertise and relationships in ocean science.
Cheetah Conservation Fund
This endangered cheetah is wearing a Fullpower AI-Pod for research purposes. The pod and its associated infrastructure are part of an AI-powered sensor-fusion edge cloud solution that learns about the Cheetah’s behavior. The AI-Pod is small, waterproof, and rugged. We are in the process of learning a lot about cheetah behavior. For example: "When do Cheetahs really sleep?" or "When to Cheetahs really hunt?" This picture was taken at the Cheetah Conservation Fund based out of Namibia.
Defenders of Wildlife
The Lee-Kahn Foundation is an impassioned sponsor of Defenders of Wildlife, a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection of all native wild animals and plants in their natural communities. The Defenders of Wildlife's mission is to protect endangered species and wildlife as well as the habitats upon which they depend. Their programs are focused on two of the most serious environmental threats to our planet today: the accelerating rate of extinction of species and the associated loss of biological diversity, habitat alteration and destruction. Defenders of Wildlife also advocate new approaches to wildlife conservation that will help keep numerous species from becoming endangered. In promoting such programs, Defenders of Wildlife is helping to preserve the health of our nation's rich biological heritage.
The International Wolf Center
The Lee-Kahn Foundation is an avid supporter of The International Wolf Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to insuring the survival of the wolf around the world. The International Wolf Center firmly believes education will result in a change in people's attitudes towards the wolf thus increasing the likely hood of the species survival. As people gain knowledge and appreciation of wolves and their place as predators in the ecosystem, they will become concerned about the wolf's survival and recovery. By teaching people about this mysterious predator, the International Wolf Center aims to ensure a future wilderness complete with the mournful howl of the wolf.
Humane Society of the United States
The Lee-Kahn Foundation is a staunch supporter of the Humane Society of the United States, the nation's largest animal protection organization. Their slogan "Animals, It's Their World Too" captures the organization's belief in the possibility of a humane society. The Humane Society of the United States was founded in an effort to promote the humane treatment of animals and foster respect, understanding and compassion for all creatures. Its message of care and protection embraces not only the animal kingdom but also the earth and its environment. Its programs include: humane education, wildlife and habitat protection, farm animals and bioethics, companion animals and animal research issues. The Humane Society of the United States strives for a day when every human acknowledges animals' rightful place in the world.
Santa Cruz County SPCA
The Lee-Kahn Foundation is a strong supporter of its local SPCA. The Santa Cruz SPCA's mission is to ensure the best possible quality of life for animals and to promote respect and reverence for all life. It strives to prevent cruelty to animals, stop pet overpopulation and promote community responsibility for the humane care, treatment and well being of all animals through adoption, education, information, investigation and action. Its programs include: a spay-and-neuter promotion and certificate program, an adoption program, a hug-a-pet program for seniors, a pet assistance program to help low income families in times of emergency and an outstanding educational program dedicated to teaching humane attitudes through the media and the class-room. The Santa Cruz SPCA also provides help and treatment to rescue, place in rehabilitation and/or release injured or orphaned wildlife.
HEALTHCARE AND LIFE SCIENCES
Give Us The Floor (GUTF)
Give Us The Floor (GUTF) is a San Francisco-based non-profit organization that helps teens deal with common mental health and social issues such as depression, isolation, anxiety, body image, bullying and relationships.
Challenged America
Challenged America is an adaptive-sailing rehabilitation program for kids and adults with disabilities.
EDUCATION
Give Us The Floor (GUTF)
Give Us The Floor (GUTF) is a San Francisco-based non-profit organization that helps teens deal with common mental health and social issues such as depression, isolation, anxiety, body image, bullying and relationships.
Southern Poverty Law Center
The Southern Poverty Law Center is a non-profit organization that combats hate, intolerance, and discrimination through education and litigation. Its programs include Teaching Tolerance and the Intelligence Project, which incorporates Klanwatch and the Militia Task Force. The Center also sponsors the Civil Rights Memorial which celebrates the memory of 40 individuals who died during the Civil Rights Movement.
Georgiana Bruce Kirby Preparatory School
The Lee-Kahn Foundation is a stalwart supporter of the Georgiana Bruce Kirby Preparatory School, an independent coeducational secondary school serving parents and students in the Santa Cruz community. Its mission is to provide a college-preparatory education with a solid academic curriculum supplemented with current materials and an international focus. It also places an emphasis on the arts for students wishing to specialize in that area. The school strives to create an environment that breeds tolerance and respect for the individual in a context of cultural and economic diversity.
Spring Hill, The Advanced Elementary School of Santa Cruz
The Lee-Kahn Foundation is a supporter of Spring Hill Elementary, a non-sectarian, non-profit corporation serving students in Kindergarten through Grade 6. Spring Hill's mission is to offer bright and highly motivated children a high-quality accelerated education. The academic curriculum is varied and demanding, and is based on the individual needs of each student. The school maintains a low student teacher ration that allows students to proceed at a pace suited to their unique abilities, talents and interests. Although the curriculum is challenging, students are encouraged to focus on their "personal best" instead of competing against each other.
Olympic and Junior Sailing
The Lee-Kahn foundation believes that youth and Olympic sailing help develop the spirit of friendly competition among nations and we are committed to help worthy efforts. We are supporting several Olympic campaigns for Athens 2004 as well as junior programs of select yacht clubs...
ENVIRONMENT
Groundswell Coastal Ecology
Groundswell Coastal Ecology brings people and communities together through education, science, and art to identify, prioritize, promote, and implement coastal restoration projects that increase biodiversity and coastal resiliency. Their work helps local communities to become participatory stakeholders in their environment and leads to a more vibrant and ecologically sustainable coastline.
Coastal Watershed Council
The Coastal Watershed Council is a non-profit environmental organization dedicated to the protection and enhancement of the lower San Lorenzo River in Santa Cruz, CA. CWC inspires people to care for the river, promote healthy watersheds, learn about the river's significance and ecosystem, and serve the community.
Surfrider Foundation
The Lee-Kahn Foundation supports the Surfrider Foundation, a non-profit environmental organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world's oceans, waves and beaches through conservation, activism, research and education. The first chapter was formed in 1989 by a group of Southern California surfers concerned with water pollution and the population explosion along coastal zones. The Surfrider Foundation has grown to encompass a network of impassioned coastal activists with over 40 chapters and 25,000 members across the United States and abroad. The foundation's ability to quickly mobilize grassroots action through its chapters has enabled it to win a number of significant legal battles that have strengthened coastal protection measures and increased awareness of coastal environmental issues. The Surfrider Foundation is a recognized leader in coastal conservation, education and activism.
THE ARTS
Kuumbwa Jazz Center
The Lee-Kahn Foundation is an ardent supporter of the Kuumbwa Jazz Center, a non-profit corporation with a national reputation among musicians and connoisseurs of jazz. The center was formed in 1975 in Santa Cruz by founders who envisioned a club where "the music and musicians came first." At the Kuumbwa club, jazz is considered an art form that deserves as much dignity as chamber music or the symphony. The long roster of musicians to play at the center includes veteran stars such as Stan Getz, Dizzy Gillespie and Barney Kessel as well as a new generation of virtuosos that includes Wynton Marsalis, Roy Hargrove, Joshua Redman and Benny Green.
Through the years, the Kuumbwa Jazz Center has expanded from a venue in which to listen to great jazz, to a devoted outreach and education center. A Friday night series features local bands while Tuesday nights have been reserved for open jam sessions. Performance workshops for high school students are frequently offered on Wednesday afternoons. The club also hosts an annual Jazz Residency program that brings an accomplished player into the county for one week to do a concert, offer workshops and visit classrooms. The center also hosts a two-week Jazz Camp each summer geared towards promising student musicians.