Hands-on philanthropy
Joni and Larry Flax
A results-oriented entrepreneur, Larry Flax typifies today’s high-profile philanthropist. As a cofounder of California Pizza Kitchen, Flax knows a thing or two about getting involved firsthand in assembling the right ingredients and team. He believes the same is true for supporting worthwhile causes. “People can watch their good do good by becoming personally invested,” said Flax.
When Flax and his wife, Joni, recently considered their charitable giving options, they chose City of Hope because of the leadership shown by Michael C. Jensen, M.D., co-director of the Cancer Immunotherapeutics & Tumor Immunology program (CITI), and the institution’s advances against brain cancer. Jensen’s engineered T-cell therapies, which boost the immune system to attack cancer, are pushing research boundaries, moving ever closer to achieving cures. Eager to spur the discovery of new treatments for brain cancer in children, the Flax family has provided significant funding in recent years to aid Jensen’s efforts, enhancing the pool of funds they have dedicated to pediatric research at City of Hope since 1992.
Flax notes that today’s health-care philanthropists want to know that their money truly advances and delivers improved treatments. In this vein, Flax has joined a new consortium of modern donors to pool their enthusiasm and knowledge in order to best manage philanthropic giving. “I want to help supercharge philanthropy to maximize its impact,” Flax said.
Instead of making charitable gifts through bequests, “I would urge people to consider life estate planning that works for them during their lifetime,” said Flax. “There certainly are worthwhile tax benefits. Plus, you can manage your own gift and see how it is making a difference.”
Flax’s personal connection to research at City of Hope motivates his desire to change the face of philanthropy, and he would not have it any other way. “At City of Hope, you can be in touch with your gift and see what they’re doing.” This satisfaction gives new meaning to the term “hands-on control.”
Larry and Joni Flax live in Beverly Hills, Calif. Joni’s son, Peter Gillette, and his wife, Michelle, have two children, Alex and Avery.