Glorya Kaufman's Last Gift Brings Calm to Los Angeles | Inside Philanthropy

This article explores the philanthropic legacy of Glorya Kaufman, the 95-year-old Los Angeles arts and health donor who passed away in August, through the lens of her latest gift—a new community wellness center that opened in September.

Kaufman transformed personal trauma into meaningful giving after losing her husband and son-in-law in a 1983 plane crash. She channeled her grief into philanthropy, focusing on dance and healthcare causes that reflected her personal experiences with strabismus and love of dance. Despite working alongside major donors like Eli Broad in the home construction business that built her wealth, Kaufman maintained a more personal, hands-on approach to giving throughout her career.

• Major dance contributions: Donated $20 million to LA's Music Center for dance presentations and founded the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance, marking the largest dance gift in LA history
• Healthcare focus: Funded eye clinics and surgeries for children with strabismus, the same condition she experienced as a child
• Final legacy project: The $17 million Glorya Kaufman Community Center offers free wellness programming including yoga, meditation, and therapy services to the Culver City community
• Personal philanthropy approach: Maintained smaller foundation assets ($8.52 million) compared to LA's billion-dollar philanthropies while creating deeply personal, community-focused impact