Lynn Schusterman
Lynn Schusterman – Life, Philanthropy & Enduring Legacy
Learn about Lynn Schusterman (born January 21, 1939), a major American philanthropist and Jewish communal leader. Explore her early years, founding of the Schusterman Family Philanthropies, priorities in giving, recognition, and guiding principles.
Introduction
Lynn Schusterman (née Rothschild) is an American philanthropist, Jewish leader, and social justice advocate whose work has focused on strengthening Jewish identity, empowering youth, promoting inclusion, and investing in systemic change in both the the United States and Israel.
Through her leadership of the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation, she has overseen billions in philanthropic investment and pioneered funding strategies that emphasize equity, youth leadership, and inclusion.
Early Life and Family
Lynn Schusterman was born Lynn Rothschild on January 21, 1939, in Kansas City, Missouri.
Her parents divorced when she was young; she was primarily raised in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, with her mother and stepfather, Harold Josey, who managed an investment company.
As a child, Lynn was part of a Jewish community in Oklahoma where she experienced both inclusion and exclusion. In school, she sometimes faced antisemitic taunts and felt socially marginalized in certain settings as one of few Jewish students.
She later went to University of Miami (in Coral Gables, Florida), where she completed her undergraduate education.
In 1962, Lynn married Charles Schusterman, an oil and business entrepreneur.
Founding and Growth of the Schusterman Foundation
Origins & Vision
In 1987, Lynn and Charles co-founded the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation (now called Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies).
From its start, Lynn emphasized a sense of “repairing the world” (tikkun olam) and embedding Jewish values in civic leadership.
Transition of Leadership & Expansion
When Charles passed away in 2000, Lynn assumed leadership of the foundation, becoming one of the first women to lead a major Jewish philanthropic institution.
In 2018, Lynn stepped into the role of Chair Emerita, and her daughter Stacy Schusterman took over as Chair. Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies to reflect its evolving model and multiple programmatic arms.
The foundation now distributes hundreds of millions in grants annually, and has assets in the billions.
Giving Priorities & Philanthropic Philosophy
Lynn Schusterman’s philanthropy is defined by several core themes:
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Jewish Identity & Global Jewish Community
She has invested heavily in organizations that engage Jewish youth and communal life, including BBYO, Hillel, Moishe House, Birthright Israel, and Repair the World. -
Inclusion & Equity
Lynn was one of the early philanthropic leaders to require that grantee organizations have explicit non-discrimination policies covering sexual orientation and gender identity. -
Youth Leadership & Empowerment
The foundation supports fellowships, leadership training, service networks, and peer engagement programs to develop the next generation of community leaders. -
Child Welfare & Prevention of Abuse / Neglect
Especially in Tulsa and Israel, Lynn has backed programs and institutes (e.g. the Haruv Institute) focused on preventing child abuse, identifying neglect, and building protective systems. -
Education, Innovation & Israel Studies
She has endowed centers for Israel and Jewish studies (e.g. at Brandeis, University of Texas, University of Oklahoma) and supported academic work linking diaspora Jews with Israeli culture and scholarship. -
Systems & Transformative Giving
Rather than simply making charitable grants, Lynn emphasizes systemic change, catalytic funding, and building infrastructures (e.g. philanthropic arms, incubators, community networks). -
Giving Pledge & Wealth Commitment
In 2011, Lynn Schusterman signed the Giving Pledge, committing to give away a significant portion of her wealth over her lifetime.
Recognition, Honors & Influence
Lynn Schusterman has received numerous honors and recognition:
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Inducted into the Tulsa Hall of Fame (2000) and Oklahoma Women’s Hall of Fame (2003).
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Inducted into Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 2006.
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Awarded honorary doctorates, including from Hebrew Union College and Brandeis University.
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Recognized with the Woodrow Wilson Public Service Award in 2008.
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In 2022, she and her daughter Stacy received the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy.
Her influence extends beyond grants. She has reshaped Jewish philanthropic norms—particularly around inclusion—and has helped reimagine how a philanthropic foundation can blend local impact, global scope, and systems thinking.
Personality, Values & Approach
From her public statements and leadership practices, a few traits become clear:
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Values-driven & identity rooted: Lynn’s Jewish upbringing, early experiences of marginalization, and spiritual sensibility inform her philanthropic vision of justice, repair, and belonging.
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Bold risk-taking: She has been willing to fund causes seen as controversial in Jewish philanthropy (e.g. LGBTQ inclusion) and insist on progressive policies.
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Collaborative & generative: Rather than simply “giving,” she creates programs, networks, and communal infrastructure.
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Humility & legacy orientation: She often frames giving as stewardship and seeks to build institutions that outlast her, including handing over leadership to the next generation.
Sample Quotations & Expressions
While Lynn Schusterman is less known for pithy quotes than many public figures, her vision and beliefs are evident in remarks recorded by the foundation and press:
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In explaining her foundation’s philosophy, she has invoked Rabbi Tarfon: “While no one person is obligated to complete the task [of tikkun olam], neither is anyone free to desist from it.”
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She has publicly affirmed that Jewish values demand inclusion and equality, especially for LGBTQ Jews, and has made funding conditional on non-discrimination.
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In describing her shift to leadership after Charles’s death, she commented on needing male “validation” in the philanthropic world to be heard early on—a reflection on gender dynamics in high philanthropy.
Though not a “quotable” figure in the usual sense, her philanthropic actions and insistence on principles often speak more loudly than soundbites.
Lessons from Lynn Schusterman’s Life & Work
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Philanthropy with backbone
True giving is not just generosity—it’s choosing causes that challenge norms, confront taboo issues, and push institutions to evolve. -
Long-term investment over ad hoc grants
Lynn’s work stresses building systems, networks, and leadership pipelines, not just funding discrete projects. -
Inclusion as a core requirement
In demanding non-discrimination as a condition of funding, she shifts power to marginalized voices rather than merely accommodating them. -
Leadership transition matters
By intentionally passing the torch to her daughter and building institutional continuity, she shows that legacy depends on succession planning. -
Root identity informs action
The way she grounds her philanthropic vision in her Jewish values demonstrates how culture and identity can be sources of strength and direction. -
Courage to evolve
Over decades, Lynn has adapted her strategy—from local to global, from Jewish life to broader equity work—without losing coherence in mission.
Conclusion
Lynn Schusterman is a leading figure in modern American philanthropy—not just because of wealth, but because of conviction, courage, and strategic vision. Her life story—from a Jewish girl in Oklahoma to chair emerita of a multibillion-dollar philanthropic enterprise—illustrates how values, identity, and persistence can shape a lasting legacy.
Her work challenges us to see philanthropy not as a safety net but as an engine of transformation, especially in communities we care about. If you like, I can also produce a timeline of her major grants and institutional shifts, or compare her giving model with other contemporary philanthropists. Would you like me to do that?