America's Top Donors

Tuesday, January 22, at 12 noon, U.S. Eastern time

Lorry I. Lokey, founder of Business Wire, a San Francisco company that distributes news releases. Mr. Lokey has appeared on The Chronicle's list of America's top donors every year since 2000.

A transcript of the chat follows.

Peter Panepento (Moderator):
    Welcome to today's live chat on our recent Philanthropy 50 survey. One of the year's top donors, Lorry I. Lokey, is on board to answer your questions today. We had originally planned to have another donor, Mart Green, join us today, as well. But Mr. Green had a scheduling conflict and is unable to join us. In his place, we have Nicole Lewis, a Chronicle reporter, who is here to answer questions about our report and on general trends in high net-worth giving. We have a lot of questions in the queue -- and we hope to get to as many of them as possible. And we do invite you to ask your questions during the chat by hitting the "submit a question" link.

Question from Kelly Osborne, Levine Children's Hospital, Charlotte, NC:
    In your opinion, how do donors react to receiving unsolicited letters of inquiry? I would like to contact several philanthropists, but I do not want to offend anyone. What is the best approach if there is no established relationship?

Lorry I. Lokey:
    If the query is valid or seems valid, I don't mind. I do know how to say "no" just as easily as "yes." I favor queries from organizations that I know, which, in my case, would be schools in Califorrnia's SF Bay Area and in Oregon.

Question from Branden Barber, Rainforest Action Network:
    How is the trend towards multi year commitments going and how do you feel that philanthropists tend to feel towards their ongoing, committed support for an organization? I've heard that a three-year commitment tends to be the standard - yet there are not standards that I'm aware of. Having a good idea of what you can count on year-to-year makes a huge difference when it comes to projections during budget setting, especially in years of organizational growth or national or global economic uncertainty.

Nicole Lewis:
    Gifts from the list of the 50 most generous donors are a mix of outright gifts, estate gifts, and multi-year commitments. Donors who make multi-year commitments seem to do so for a variety of reasons including their own financial plans and a desire to see how well institutions are using their gifts before giving the total amount. The length of the payment plan seems to differ widely as well --officials at Washington & Lee University, in Lexington, Va., said that Rupert Johnson will pay his $100-million pledge for scholarships to the institution in under five years, while the family of Dan and Jan Duncan will take 12 years to complete a $50-million gift to the Texas Children's Hospital, in Houston, to establish an institute for neurological disorders in children.

Question from Joni Welk-Campbell, Northwest University:
    A donor of high net worth must have charitable organizations consistently knocking on their door. Does a top donor expect organizations to seek them out, or does a top donor prefer to seek after the charitable organization? How does a top donor go about determining which organization(s) to support?

Lorry I. Lokey:
    If I am familiar with them, I will consider them. I don't seek anyone out any more like I did 15 and 20 years ago. They know to look me up. You didn't ask this but I am not impressed with fancy huge brochures, publications, CDs, and especially gifts. A one page letter will do along with a one or two page flyer.

Question from Joni Welk-Campbell, Northwest University:
    We’re a liberal arts Christian university with a long-standing, strong track record and a growing student body. We are accomplishing our primary mission, but to stay on course we must engage the interest of top donors so as to achieve academic standard. What should a minor, private university do to find their way into the sights of big donors -- especially a university that is accomplishing significant achievements that impact both local and global communities in positive ways?

Lorry I. Lokey:
    This requires too long an answer. But for starters, seek out successful alumni and work them as hard as you can. Seek out, too, alumni who know wealthy people, especially if they are interested in the religious aspect. If you're in a large metro area, hold a seminar with key faculty members leading the presentations about their subjects and their relationship to the school's objectives.

Peter Panepento (Moderator):
    Just a quick reminder that if you have submitted a question, it might take some time to get a response. We will try to get to as many questions as we can during the chat as possible.

Question from Doug Risner, small national nonprofit arts education:
    What advice can you give to a young (10 years old)national arts education organization ready to begin a capital campaign? As a national organization, we have struggled with cultivating lead donors because our geographic reach is so large.

Lorry I. Lokey:
    Your first efforts should be to get all the support you can locally because they will most likely know your name and work best. Use what major donors you have to get led to others of wealth...try an open house route if you have art you can show from students in past years. As for going national, you enter an expensive arena such as hiring a PR firm with national ties...or inserting in key publications your paid display advertising. And make use of successful alumni in all parts of the country to proselyte in your behalf. That's one of the best PR/advertising tools you can have.

Question from Joni Welk-Campbell, Northwest University:
    Is it possible that a next generation of top donors may be emerging in our society in which they prefer to partner collaboratively between the organization and the donor's own similar objectives? If so, could you describe how this might change the manner in which an organization would engage top donors, and how this next generation of donors might go about identifying charities that can accomplish their respective view or objectives?

Lorry I. Lokey:
    I am unique in my giving: I ask the school what their biggest needs are and then work from those. Many of the biggest donors in the US operate 180 degrees from that by specifying what they want. So I think we already are in the next generation and have been there for scores of years. Perhaps I should note that my approach might be closer to what you are asking. I feel the school is the most aware of its needs, not me. I might favor endowed chairs or additions to endowment, but the school might need endowed funds for faculty salary increases. In that case I would defer to the school's wishes. One approach is to list all your needs and submit them. Right now Stanford is raising $4.3 billion in its drive, and they spelled out the list of needs one can choose to earmark large grants.

Question from John Cox, Harford Community College:
    Mr. Lokey, you have received a number of requests for support. I am curious if you have developed a personal framework through which you evaluate these requests, short-list the ideas you support, and ultimately determine in what area you want to invest? Related to this, are you more receptive to a certain type of approach from a university’s leadership in making such requests? Thanks very much for your insight.

Lorry I. Lokey:
    Because needs for education are a bottomless pit, I make grants to schools and organizations that I am familiar with, such as my grammar school, Univ. of Oregon that I would have attended if not Stanford, Mills College, three or four schools in Israel. At least 99% of request made to me by mail or phone are not answered because I don't know them. The bottom line is that I am familiar with 40 or 50 organizations, and I don't have enough money even for them. I wouldn't be surprized if a lot of large grants don't fall into that kind of thinking, too, though some of the biggest in recent years ar generic, like Bill Gates and Warren Buffet to end the 10 major diseases.

Comment from Joni Welk-Campbell, NU:
    Thank you, Mr. Lokey, for your valuable insight and time in answering my questions. You have presented helpful comments.

Peter Panepento (Moderator):
    We're about halfway through today's live chat. We've received a lot of fantastic questions thus far. Please stay tuned for more great insights from our guests.

Question from Jennifer Kohn Koppel, Jewish Funders Network:
    What do you see as the biggest challenge to the Jewish world today? Do you have professional staff assisting you with grant making?

Lorry I. Lokey:
    A professional staff costs money, so I have none and no one. It's all me. We Jewish people always will have the burden of discrimination going, and that puts a damper on some grants that otherwise might be made by gentiles. In mh case I give to quality schools, and that includes several Catholic ones. I don't see any Catholics giving to Jewish schools. It's important to me that we have the best educated population we can have, and if that means funding other than Jewish schools, I certainly will do and am doing it. I do have about $100 million that has gone or will go to a high school and three colleges in Israel--Leo Baeck high, Weizmann, Technion and Ben Guerion. Also to Portland State and Stanford for chair in Judaic studies. Catholic schools will receive or have received about $50 million.

Question from Eugenie Maine, Mid-sized Foundation:
    What is your opinion on moving the present balance of grants away from project grants and more towards grants supporting Core operating Budgets?

Lorry I. Lokey:
    I do a little of that, but 90% or more goes for project grants. I figure others will do core grants. Schools need help in all categories, and I'm not Fort Knox.

Question from Corinne Knowles, Rhodes University, small public university in South Africa:
    Fundraising for a fairly elitist university in a developing country is challenging, as there are so many competing needs in our country, and amongst the tertiary institutions. But as an institution which continues to aspire towards excellence and global relevance, the deserving needs of our competitors should not inhibit our own fundraising efforts. Do you have any advice on what our strategy should be, given these constraints? For a capital building project (a new library after 60 years in the current building), we need to raise $20 million, and find that donors are reluctant to consider this in the light of so many other imperatives in education in South Africa. Your insight on this would be most appreciated.

Lorry I. Lokey:
    This is not really something I can cover. Also, it's such a tough nut that you might need professional agency help. One comment I can make. if the library you mention is large--30,000 or 60,000 square feet--a donor will get more value for the dollar because a structure of that size would cost double that in the US. I'm the lead donor for the new library at Santa Clara Univ. near San Jose, CA., and its 80,000 square feet will cost $95 million. I don't know her, but if you could get to wealthy Blacks like Oprah and Tiger Woods, that would be a good beginning.

Question from Diane, small non profit:
    I am curious how donors like to be communicated to on "how their money is being spent" (newsletters, personal letters, emails, personal contact by pr rep, others?)

Lorry I. Lokey:
    In my case I don't want to be solicited by anyone. I do like progress reports, tours of finished buildings, letters from students receiving tuition aid, and so on.

Question from Elizabeth Carr, New York Road Runners Foundation:
    Other than your personal funding priorities, how do you prioritize among persuasive, legitimate funding requests? That is, in addition to considering your specific funding interests, what are the top factors you consider when distributing limited funds?

Lorry I. Lokey:
    I just say "no." I know where I want to give and need no help doing it. I look at needs and what my grant will accomplish in relation to other requests for grants from other sources. One area I will not give to are publicly supported institutions. Exception: Univ. of Oregon because I'm from Portland and would have gone to Oregon if Stanford had not worked out. States collect tax money and divert it from schools--at least 22 of them do that, and Oregon and California are among the biggest sinners.

Question from Terri McNichol, Reformed Church Home Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing:
    How do you think the Baby Boomers, the first of whom are turning 60 years of age, will that impact the face of philanthropy? Do you think they will cure diseases such as Alzheimers and/or effect a much needed change in healthcare system both in coverage and research. There are also workforce and volunteer opportunities, but is the potential there for unique philanthropic efforts that can be transformative?

Lorry I. Lokey:
    I don't know. But there are indications that Americans in advancing years are doing more giving. I wish the real fat cats would learn that they can't take it with them, but they can gain tremendous satisfaction putting their dollars to work on schools, health causes, etc etc

Question from Jill, University:
    What are the best practices of professionals working with this select group of philanthropists? Mistakes to be noted? What are key characteristics of the most-generous donors by age category? What are the trends noted by charities successful in soliciting foreign donors?

Lorry I. Lokey:
    I'm sorry, Jill, but I am not qualified to answer these questions. I would guess that major givers arae getting younger in age because they became megamillionaires early in life. At least I wouild like to think that. I am completely ignorant of foreign donors.

Question from Michelle, Boston nonprofit:
    What is the one (or two) things that the organizations you support have in common? Strong leadership? Positive financial statements?

Lorry I. Lokey:
    Absolutely YES on both questions. And also superb manager leadership.

Peter Panepento (Moderator):
    We have about 10 minutes to go and we've received a lot of great questions today. We're going to try to answer as many of them as possible in the time we have left -- and we thank everyone who has contributed so far.

Question from Priya Aggarwal, NYU Wagner:
    What role does ratings and information from organizations like GuideStar, Charity Navigator, etc. play in the decision to donate to a selected charity?

Lorry I. Lokey:
    Ratings mean nothing to me because I give to organizations I know well. I do like reading listings of charitable organizations' operating costs, and I make a mental note of those that spend more than 15% on them.

Question from Perry Werner, Minnesota State Community and Technical College:
    What are some criteria that donors use in selecting an institution to donate to. Is there usually a connection, past or present, to the institution.

Lorry I. Lokey:
    I woiuld guess there is a strong connection from the donor in that he/she knows it well. A second place guess by me is that the recipient is so well known that the donor has no hesitation to recognize it.

Question from Kelly Feeney, Walnut Hill School:
    When your personal friends ask you to come to an event benefiting an organization with which they are involved, how do you respond?

Lorry I. Lokey:
    Without telling them to jump in the lake, I kindly defer if I'm not interested. I hate testimonial affairs that are really for the purpose of raising money.

Question from Jerryme Mitchell, Langston University:
    What types of recognition other than thank you letters do donors like yourself appreciate?

Lorry I. Lokey:
    That's all I need. Too many send gifts, and I have yet to figure out how to ask them to save their money. These usually come from areas where I know the people so well that they are personal friends. In my case, I do not need a framed picture or paperweight. The letter is fine.

Question from Tomitha Blake, Santa Clara University:
    As a follow-up to Joni Welk-Campbell's question, how did you become interested in Santa Clara University?

Lorry I. Lokey:
    As a Stanford student 60 years ago, I had respect for Santa Clara. It's a fine school and is better than ever right now. My partner got me going on grants because she was on one of their boards. I'm particularly pleased how well "my" library is turning out.

Question from Mark Joffe at JTA (global Jewish news service):
    Hi, Lorry. Nice to see you here! Donors increasingly like to give to special projects, but organizations need general operating support most. How can groups get donors interested in providing such unrestricted support?

Lorry I. Lokey:
    Hello, Mark....Tough job. You have to find donors who don't care about a big nameplate on a building. My preference is to give to enbdowment, the most important project a school or organization can have. A million dollar endowment can be set up under a project in great need, such as professor pay, and carry the name of the donor if that person is clamoring for a naming. I sure wish I had the money to help you, but it just did not happen.....

Comment from Tomitha Blake, Santa Clara University:
    An enlightening chat! Thank you to Mr. Lokey.

Peter Panepento (Moderator):
    Well, everyone, we are out of time. My apologies to those who were unable to get their questions answered. Mr. Lokey has agreed to answer some of these questions offline and we will add them to the transcript later this week. I do hope all of you enjoyed today's discussion and I'd like to thank Mr. Lokey and Ms. Lewis for joining us today. We'll be back next Tuesday at noon Eastern time for a discussion with a panel of career experts who will discuss how to effectively make the jump from working in the for-profit world to a career in the nonprofit sector. Thanks again.

The Following Questions Were Answered Off-Line

Question from Joni Welk-Campbell, Northwest University:
    Could you provide comment on how much the condition of an organization's financial status and their fiscal management fits into a top donor's determination when considering to give to an organization? Does a top donor gain understanding exclusively from a 990?

Lorry I. Lokey:
    Is a 990 similar to a .37 magnum? Yes, financial details are very important along with knowing what kind of donor support one has so far.

Question from Jacob Berkman, staff writer, JTA:
    Observers of the Jewish philanthropy world say that outside of universities and museums, Jewish institutions are ill equipped to court major donations. Has this been your experience? Have Jewish groups outside of universities reached out to you? Why have they not been able to sway you to give to them? And why have you chosen to give mainly to schools?

Lorry I. Lokey:
    You're full of questions, Jacob. This is #4. I have noticed that Jewish organizations are supported largely by Jewish people whereas Catholic ones rake it in from Catholics as well as some Jews like me. And, yes, I have donated major sums (more than $100,000) to Temples, Jewish day schools, the three schools in Israel, a Jewish camp that failed ine SF area because of mismanagement and lack of support from their superiors in the East. And I wasn't swayed by the $10 or so given in the US to such organizations; I knew about them. Read my other answers why I give to schools 99% of the time...it all begins with education.

Question from Melanie Anthony, Hunger and poverty agency:
    Mr. Lokey- As a donor who only gives to organizations you are familiar with, other than personal experience with the agency, how have you become aware (or familiar with) of some of these agencies? For example, was it through a news story, mention from a colleague, LOI, special event, etc. What would you recommend?

Lorry I. Lokey:
    A few grants happened after pitches from the people, but in all cases I knew of the existence of the organization, and in a lot of cases was intimately familiar with them. News releases, mailers, pleading letters are a big zero in terms of knowing even their names. I hope your agency is doing more than just keeping people from starving, such as getting them jobs and following them through; leading them to medical sources that will donate time and materials; getting those appropriate for it into schools. Filling the belly is a tremendous service to humanity, Melanie, but the need is to get them back on track, not keep them fed forever.

Question from Pamela Cooper, Columbia University:
    In recent years, there has been an emphasis on maximizing the impact of individual organizations through partnerships and combining strengths through collaborative initiatives. How do top donors regard funding requests for international collaborative projects that may fall within their areas of interest (ie. in areas with an international scope such as education, human welfare, the environment etc.)? If programs are well-administered in collaboration with an overseas institution, are there concerns about program activities that take place outside of the U.S.?

Lorry I. Lokey:
    Sorry, Pam, but this is too big for me. I'm just a poor little Atherton boy who lives minutes from 23 billionaires who give damn little money.

Question from Jacob Berkman, staff writer, JTA:
    Could you rank your personal priorities in terms of giving? Where do Jewish causes fall on that list?

Lorry I. Lokey:
    Educationeducationeducationeducationeducationeducation.... It's the basis of civilization and the key to humankind's future welfare. I really don't care that much whether or not it's Jewish, Catholic or Protestant. I do lean a bit toward Jewish causes, but it's not that much more than other denominations. I wouldn't want to be anything but Jewish, now or in the next life if there is such a dream. But there are things in this world that are bigger than Moses or the Pope. They're called people, and they come in all kinds of colors and shapes--more even than Jello.

Question from Jacob Berkman, staff writer, JTA:
    What does it mean to you to be recognized on this list?

Lorry I. Lokey:
    It gives me a lot of pleasure, and I'm now into overtime many hours after the original session this morning. But it's Hawaiian time, so it doesn't hurt. It gives me a lot of pleasure because I am using it as a vehicle to raise more money for those of you asking the questions. Anything we can do to awaken people to helping people is well worth my time in this 72-degree weather at 9:30 p.m.

Question from Elaine, small school competing against large ones:
    It seems as though small institutions are caught in the "chicken or egg" scenario. Large donors don't give to us because they don't know us. They don't know us because they don't take unsolicited applications, or don't want us to send brochures, etc. How do we break this cycle?

Lorry I. Lokey:
    I've answered this in other queries, Elaine. But you have to strt with you alumni and friends of of the institution if you are a school. And then dultivate them to reach out to others whom they know well and get them in the fold. That's also a way to get participants from long distances from your local area. Look up you most successful alumni and get them to pitch for you, but also work the whole alumni and friends field. If you have prosperous companies in your area, get them into sponsorships and other grants.

Question from Eric:
    How do you (and your peers) prefer that institutions demonstrate effective use of your gifts? Are donors like yourself requiring *more* proof of a gift's effective stewardship today than in the past?

Lorry I. Lokey:
    Read through my other answers, Eric, as I think I have answered this in a few of them. But thanks for asking.

Question from Rick Horton, 501(c)(3) support organization:
    As an education funder, to what degree do you examine tax-based support of a prospective donee?

Lorry I. Lokey:
    Very little because only two or three of my 50 or so recipients gets tax money.

Question from Benjamin, Large Public Agency:
    We all want to know what difference the dollars make, once they're given to a community-based organization or non-profit institution. How do you see these measures changing? Do you think that we're moving away from traditional outcomes? Increased deliverables?

Lorry I. Lokey:
    I don't fully understand your question, but I'll attempt a response. Donors come in three ranges: Small donors, medium ones and the fat cats with a million or for each grant. Lose one of these categories and you lose any chance of succeeding in a fund raising drive. Every buck adds up. I am hoping that more and more fat cats and medium givers ($10,000-$500,000)will loosen up and not expire leaving a big estate to the kids who should earn their own damn money. I am saying that we need increased giving participation and we need larger percentages of assets given. I can't understand why someone with assets in the millions doesn't at least tithe. And that goes for the medium grantors, too.

Question from Jacob Berkman, staff writer, JTA:
    Mr. Lokey. Your Jewish giving in the past year seems to have been directed at Israeli universities, including the recent $30 million gift to the Weizmann Institute and smaller gifts to Ben Gurion and the Leo Baeck Institute. Do you have any concerns about those gifts given the higher education strike in Israel right now? Also, have non-education based Jewish philanthropies reached out to you? And is there a reason you choose to give to universities as opposed to other philanthropies? Are other Jewish philanthropies reaching out to you effectively and is there a way they can better pitch their causes to you?

Lorry I. Lokey:
    Hey, Jacob, I found one of your questions. And what's with this mister stuff? I am pretty well filled out for a few years for any more major grants, but I do want to do one more each at Ben Guerion, Weizmann and Technion. I am concerned about Israel's government being even more stupid than legislators in 22 US states. I will have to consider this when I'm ready for more grants, but hopefully by 2010 or 2011 the air will have cleared. Israel is in a tough spot. Half he world wants every Jew dead, including you and me. From there they'll eliminate Catholics and then Christians. Considering the horrible pressures on Israel, it probably is no wonder they are screwing up education. But education is the future, and slighting that is somewhat like IBM or Pfizer shutting down their research laboratories. Maybe grants like mine are helping them tide things over until world sanity returns. As for non-education approaches for grants. yes, I have received a few of them. I have learned to say "no."

Question from Brandy, conservation nonprofit:
    What things could a development officer say or do that would immediately turn you off from contributing to an organization, even if you had an affinity for the mission? Additionally, what is your most preferred method of initial contact and approach from a development officer?

Lorry I. Lokey:
    Interesting question, Brandy, because I don't believe I have been turned off. What will turn me off is if someone thinks their joking by telling me I'm rich and won't miss the money. I have had a few ask why I give to a rich, rich school like Stanford. We must always remember that non-profits in all endeavors always need money, and if they get a lot it, they grow and help the world even more. However, I am wary of any that spend more than 15% on fund raising. I am very proud of those that get along with 5 or 7% because they have so much volunteer help that is pledged to their success. The Jewish Haddassah organization is one of those, and it has built a hospital center in Jerusalem that would be the envy of any hospital management. And their volunteers keep costs down. I might be a rare bird, but I really don't want money spent on me for fancy meals unless they are a vehicle to raise more money. And I certainly don't want expensive gifts. A development officer approaching me has only to be honest and explicit in what the project is all about. And we don't have to go out to lunch or dinner. I turn lots of those down because I'm alsmost 81 and have only 36 years left. And there's so much to do in this lifetime.

Question from Marguerite Butler, Smithsonian Institution:
    1# When a donation for a major project is being solicited, how much detail should be provided in the initial 'ask'? ---OR--- #2 If the soliciting institution is new to the donor, but it is known that the donor has a keen interest in the subject-matter of the project that needs funding, how much detail should be provided in the first "ask"?

Lorry I. Lokey:
    Oooo, Maarguerite, you're hitting me with a tough one. I deal with institutions that I know something if not a lot about. So I only need a general outline, such as what it's about and why it's important; its cost; what major donors are likely or already in. And then I need to assess whether they will make their goal. In most cases where I give, I am the lead donor, in which case I evaluate their chances of succeeding because I came aboard. Good example of this was the Contra Costa County Jewish Day School (near Oakland, CA). I put in a million on that and groundbreaking is less than two months away. The new libraries at Port Orford and Stayton, Ore., were small grants (much less than $50,000) but the money kept their drives alive and successful.

Question from Florence Kawoczka, Family Service Association:
    As a donor that wants to be kept up-to-date on how your donations are being utilized, what specific ways do you like to be contacted, e.g.newsletter, personal call, etc.?

Lorry I. Lokey:
    No. 1 by far is education. I probably prefer an annual or semi-annual personal letter. Very rarely I hope for a tour if a new facility is involved. I do not want a lot of money spent to keep me informed; that money is for education, not for my delights. By the way, Forence, I have grants made to the family and children's services in my area; one is Jewish and other is public. It's another step towar saving souls that might be our future Gerwins, Einsteins and Weizmanns (the Stanford research scientist who first isolated the embroyonic stem cell about 20 years ago. I have deep conviction that all people regardless of color, religion or nationality have just as good a brain as you and I, but they must have the opportunity of getting a good education. What a waste in this country to cheap out on school districts with poor people or people of color. And what a horrible mistake California, Oregon and 20 other states are making by cheaping out on education. The US isn't the only one; even greatly advance nations like Israel is doing it, and education is the very thing that has made Jews and Israel survive.

Question from Clayton State University:
    Is the impact of the gift more important than the prestige of the university? If so, why don't we see large donors giving gifts to comprehensive universities that do an excellent job of educating undergraduate students at the lowest overall cost, thus impacting more student lives and futures? Thanks, Jacob Chacko Dean of School of Business

Lorry I. Lokey:
    I will take a flying guess at answering you, Jacob. I assume peo[le give to recipients they know and understand as well as those that have an objective similar to the grantors' wishes. While I give major grants to a very rich university, I also give huge amounts to some very small schools, such as my grammer school, Mills College and Leo Baeck high school in Haifa. I don't really care how big they are; I do care about the quality of their faculty, the scholarship of their students and their planning for financial stability, such as always increasing the endowments. By the way, and this might apply to you, too, I know many successful people that came out of small colleges like Whitman, Reed, Lewis & Clark, Portland Univ., St. Mary's, College of the Pacific, the Claremont Colleges,Univ of SF, Santa Clara Univ. And down the road watch for Notre Dame de Nemur (SIC) in Belmont, Calif. You certainly are not assured success just because you hold a degree from Stanford, Harvard, Yale and those great universities. The small college is an unsung treasure in America.

Question from Jacob Berkman, staff writer, JTA:
    Could you rank your personal priorities in terms of giving? Where do Jewish causes fall on that list?

Lorry I. Lokey:
    No. 1 by far is education. Jewish causes are not significant to me, but Jewish universities and high schools are, such as Leo Baeck, Weimann, Technion, Ben Guerion, mh Temple's day school that I funded and a day school across the bay where I'm the lead donor.

Comment from Janikke Klem, San Jose State University:
    Thank you Mr. Lokey for your time and insight, especially into Higher Education funding.