Dear Friends,

The Board and I are happy to share with you a description of the Foundation's accomplishments this year.

High on the list is our record of giving.  Twenty-six organizations received grants totaling $147,500 for doing good work in fostering the spirit of giving in their communities.  Please see the enclosed 2009 Grant Recipient Summary.

We are pleased to announce that this year the Foundation served as a Sponsoring Patron - Opera - to assist in the celebration of the 125th anniversary of the founding of the University of Southern California's Thornton School of Music.  Leo loved Opera & USC.  This event was held during the autumn of 2009.  Encompassing 125 days of a variety of musical events, the Thornton School honored Leo and his Foundation by reaching out to the community and acquainting many with the Foundation's mission of giving to others by volunteering one's energy and skills.

The Board is also pleased to welcome Dolores Nemiro.  She is a wonderful addition as she brings years of philanthropic and foundation experience.  Dolores knew Leo personally and is looking forward to contributing to the advancement of the Foundation's mission.

On behalf of the board and staff, thank you for your interest and past generosity. As you consider charitable giving throughout the year, we hope that you will include the Leo Buscaglia Foundation in your plans.  With your help we will continue to spread Leo's legacy and to support the good works of organizations that are providing exceptional service to their communities.

With warm wishes,

Paul A. Gilbert
President
Leo Buscaglia Foundation

P.S. - Please register online on the Leo Buscaglia Foundation's website, www.leobuscaglia.org in order to receive our periodic eNewsletters.

2009 Recipients

• Art & Creativity for Healing – Laguna Niguel, CA.  Received $7,500 for their new program in collaboration with the Camp Pendleton Marine Base.

• Boys and Girls Clubs of the South Bay – Harbor City, CA.  Received $7,500 for their TEEN (Teen Enhancement & Expansion Now) project.

• Bryan's House – Dallas, TX.  Received $7,500 to support the volunteer program for their pediatric AIDS facility.

• Children's Brain Tumor Foundation – New York, NY.  Received $3,500 to launch their integrative medicine program, Finding Your Strength.

• Community Word Project – New York, NY.  Received $5,000 to be used in the year-long instruction and training for artists working with at-risk children. 

• Dancing After School – San Diego, CA.  Received $5,000 to expand and improve Dancing After School's current curriculum.

• The Discovery Center – Farmington, CT.  Received $2,500 to support forty 5th grade students in their educational diversity program.

• Doing Good Together – Minneapolis, MN.  Received $3,500 for general purposes and operating support.

• Dream Foundation – Los Angeles, CA.  Received $5,000 to support their Volunteer Program for palliative care for the psychological and emotional well being of their clients.

• Everybody Wins! Los Angeles – Los Angeles, CA.  Received $5,000 to support their growth and expansion.

• Foundation for Second Chances – Los Angeles, CA.  Received $5,000 for support of their after school and mentoring programs.

• GROWTH Foundation – Los Angeles, CA.  Received $2,000 to provide salary for the Program Instructor.

• The Harmony Project – Los Angeles, CA.  Received $10,000 to be used towards the cost of music instructors bringing music education and youth orchestra experiences to low-income families.

• H.E.L.P. (Healthcare and Elder Law Programs Corporation) - Torrance, CA.  Received $5,000 for their Listen, Then Help Program.

• The Human Rights Education Center of Utah – Salt Lake City, UT.  Received $2,500 to increase the for expanded program development and service delivery.

• Kids Konnected – Laguna Hills, CA.   Received $5,000 for a youth leadership retreat for teens volunteering to become youth mentors and leaders of cancer causes in their communities.

• Literacy Network of Greater Los Angeles - Los Angeles, CA  Received $5,000 for their participation in the Literacy AmeriCorps program.

• Parents' Place – West Covina, CA.   Received $10,000 to allow Parents' Place to serve more families with special needs children.

• Students Sharing Coalition – Baltimore, MD.  Received $5,000 for their youth civic leadership programs.

• Tahoe Tallac Association – South Lake Tahoe, CA.  Received $7,500 to provide support staff for their 2009 Valhalla Arts, Music and Theatre Festival.

• Theatre of Hearts/Youth First – Los Angeles, CA.  Received $7,500 to continue their Artist-In-Residence Program to at-risk youngsters.

• Tru Vista – Reno, NV.  Received $7,500 for their Judge's Scholarship Program.

• Upward Bound House – Santa Monica, CA.  Received $7,500 to support expenses for their homeless children program.

• Volunteer Center of Southern Arizona – Tucson, AZ.  Received $3,500 for their general operating funds.

• The Wonder of Reading – Los Angeles, CA.  Received $10,000 for their Volunteer Reading Program helping teachers meet the needs of at-risk students, and expanded training for volunteers.

For more information, please contact Jeff Jordan at (310) 791-3144 or email: info@leobuscaglia.org