The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation

We are deeply saddened by the passing of visionary architect Ricardo Scofidio. As co-founder of Diller Scofidio + Renfro, his groundbreaking designs have left an indelible mark on contemporary architecture. His contributions to The Broad museum in downtown Los Angeles—designed with his partners Elizabeth Diller and Charles Renfro—reflect the deep commitment to creating spaces that invite curiosity, engagement and connection. Scofidio’s impact extends far beyond any single building. From The Broad to the Museum of Modern Art’s expansion to the High Line in New York, his work redefined how architecture can serve as a bridge between people and culture. His legacy will continue to inspire architects, artists and all who believe in the power of design to shape our communities. Our thoughts are with his family, colleagues and all who have been touched by his extraordinary vision.

Congratulations Michele Siqueiros on your new role as founding CEO of the L.A. Local News Initiative! Michele is a mission-driven civic leader and lifelong Angeleno with strong community ties and a deep appreciation for journalism’s role in a healthy democracy. She was selected to lead the L.A. Local News Initiative following a months-long public search led by the initiative’s board and a committee of business, nonprofit, media and entrepreneurship experts. “Michele has the ability to authentically engage with all segments of our community, combined with a track record of mobilizing diverse stakeholders around common goals, which is exactly what we need in this moment to ensure we have a resilient local press that will work together to grow and serve our communities,” said Monica Lozano, L.A. Local News Initiative board chair and former editor, publisher, and CEO of La Opinión. The L.A. Local News Initiative, a new nonprofit announced last fall that has raised more than $17 million to date, is dedicated to increasing the amount of quality, independent local news and civic information for communities throughout the region.?The Broad Foundation is proud to be one of the nearly three dozen philanthropies and journalism organizations that have come together to strengthen the future of local news in Los Angeles. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gPuzhYZM

This week as the Broad foundation, family office and investment teams gathered for our first all-staff meeting of the year, our president, Gerun Riley, shared some of her thoughts on loss, resilience, community, and the meaning of physical spaces in our lives. We hope her reflections resonate with you as we move forward together: Some of you know my childhood was spent constructing the house my brothers and I grew up in—it’s what our family did on weekends… swinging hammers, sawing lumber, painting and building. So, at a very young age, I saw up close how a physical structure becomes a home. It starts with designs, plans, hopes, and dreams of hosting friends, starting a family, celebrating milestones, creating a sanctuary from the noise and hum of the world outside.? Then, layered onto that structure is proof the dreams are becoming real: banisters that wear with time, cushions that get stained with wine, dents from refrigerator doors vigorously swung open. And assembled in cabinets and shelves are invitations, photos, diplomas, art projects, recipes, collections of ceramics and medals and all the other materials of life.? The walls absorb the stories, the laughter, the crying, the debates and the family jokes. Some walls act as a marker of kids’ growth, some are a canvas for rebellious artistic expressions. The doors have fingerprints from all the comings and goings, and windows frame a sunning cat, a contented dog, hopeful faces peering out waiting for a parent to return from work, or for an older child returning from college. And sure, these are just physical things. But they are the things that help make a house a home.? In time, with all the layers and memories, homes take on a life of their own. They come alive in their sturdy purpose: to shelter, to anchor, to hold tight the aspirations, anguish and joy of their occupants. As we try to process the enormity of what has been lost over the past week—schools, businesses, places of worship, jobs, markets, entire communities—what makes this achingly real, for me at least, is the thought of family homes reduced to ash. And yes, we will recover. And yes, the human spirit is beautiful. And yes, our ability to persevere is remarkable. And yes, there is the promise of community in crisis. And of course it is the people who really make a house a home. And yet… while it is our nature and our responsibility to have all this stubborn belief and hopefulness, we can also mourn. ? The Broad Foundation was founded by someone who, at his core, was a builder. Initially, a homebuilder, and later a builder of community, of consensus, of physical places where people could gather to learn, to research, to be inspired and moved. In some ways, it feels like we have come full circle: the foundation’s Investing in the Future of Los Angeles grantmaking will now be in the context of a multi-year, collaborative effort to structurally and spiritually rebuild Los Angeles. https://lnkd.in/gxdGxQdy

Art has always had the power to inspire and heal in times of great tumult. The L.A. Arts Community Fire Relief Fund – supported by The Broad Art Foundation, J. Paul Getty Trust and a coalition of major arts organizations and philanthropists in Los Angeles – will lift up artists who have lost residences, studios, or livelihoods or have otherwise been impacted by the devastating fires. The L.A. Arts Community Fire Relief Fund launched with $12 million and is continuing to grow in response to the severe need. To donate or learn more, visit: https://lnkd.in/dEpiknMG To apply for aid beginning Monday, January 20, visit: https://cciarts.org/

Our hearts are heavy watching fires rage throughout Los Angeles, displacing friends, family and colleagues from their homes.?Once again, we are in awe of the firefighters, utility workers and first responders working bravely and tirelessly to protect our city and surrounding areas.?Sending love, support and strength to all Angelenos while we navigate the unimaginable and anxiously wait for clear skies to return. ? Sharing?some resources we find useful: ? LAist news:?https://laist.com ? CalFire Incident Map:?https://lnkd.in/ghrrhXw ? Angeles National Forest News: https://lnkd.in/g_Nr6xQx ? Los Angeles Fire Department News:?https://lafd.org/news ? Los Angeles County Fire Department News:?https://lnkd.in/g8_Ewid ? Los Angeles Unified School District Updates:?https://lnkd.in/g_y4DPAZ ? Sign up for emergency alerts from the City of Los Angeles Emergency Management Department:?https://lnkd.in/gyAmtCzy

As we wrap up an incredible year of growth, innovation and impact, we want to thank the people who made it possible — our dedicated staff, grantees, civic leaders and partners. With the approaching New Year, feelings of both possibility and apprehension accompany the great unknowns of the year ahead. We don’t know what comes next, but for all of us, a time of change is a chance to embrace challenge and find community in the complex, meaningful and critical task of moving forward. Here’s to moving onwards and upwards together in the new year. May 2025 bring even greater progress, opportunity and shared successes as we work together to build a brighter future for all of Los Angeles. “If you can’t fly, run. If you can’t run, walk. If you can’t walk, crawl. But by all means, keep moving.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

Apprenticeships are accelerating California’s economic growth — and the LAUNCH Apprenticeship Network is one of our grantees leading the charge. Last month, California announced an incredible $24.7 million investment in 65 registered apprenticeship programs, including healthcare and automotive initiatives supported by LAUNCH, to supercharge growth in non-traditional sectors across the state. This investment will help equip Californians with high-demand skills and open new career pathways across industries, while building a steady pipeline of skilled talent for employers. ? Governor Newsom has identified apprenticeships as a core strategy to create jobs and address income inequality and the state set a goal to serve 500,000 apprentices by 2029. To date, 190,915 apprentices have been served as California continues to be the nation’s leader in registered apprenticeships. ? Learn more about California’s commitment to advancing apprenticeships here:? https://lnkd.in/gf45Wnq5?

The BOOST pilot program is already making a difference in the lives of L.A. community college students! This guaranteed income initiative is helping Los Angeles Community College District students pursuing health careers tackle financial hurdles so they can focus on achieving their academic and career goals. Programs like BOOST show the power of investing in young people and paving the way for a brighter, more equitable future. We’re proud to partner with the Foundation for the Los Angeles Community Colleges, Los Angeles Trade Technical College, Los Angeles Southwest College, Los Angeles City College, and East Los Angeles College in piloting this innovative program to boost student success and build pathways to mobility. Read more in LAist : https://lnkd.in/ggDDe3x6

We’re thrilled to see our grantee DIY Girls and their founder Luz Rivas featured in Science Magazine! DIY Girls has been a beacon of possibility in Los Angeles, helping young girls and youth discover the power of hands-on STEM learning, sparking curiosity and opening doors to futures in science, technology and engineering.? ? “Since 2012 DIY Girls has provided more than 7,500 young girls and other gender minorities with programming such as hands-on electronics projects for elementary schoolers, summer woodworking camps for middle schoolers, and help with applying to college for high school seniors. 'Organizations like DIY Girls are critical to expanding the pipeline of future scientists and engineers' to include women of color, says Erica Lim of the Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation….” ? Read more about DIY Girls in the article: https://lnkd.in/dgvdAhJC