Born on January 21, 1939, in Kansas City, United States, Lynn Schusterman is co-founder of Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies, a philanthropic organization that directs funding toward Israel, the global Jewish community, and a range of social initiatives in the United States. Following the death of Charles Schusterman in 2000, she served as president until 2018 and now holds the title of president emerita. Leadership of the foundation is currently held by her daughter, Stacy Schusterman.
Through the foundation, more than $3.5 billion has been donated to causes including national security, education, public health—particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic—gender equality, and Jewish communal life. Israel has received significant support aimed at strengthening educational institutions and community infrastructure.
In 2011, the family sold Samson Investment Company, the oil and gas enterprise founded by Charles Schusterman, for over $7 billion. Slightly more than 30 percent of the proceeds were allocated to philanthropic activities. Stacy Schusterman is also the owner of Samson Energy, continuing the family’s involvement in the energy sector.
Lynn Schusterman was a founding board member of Birthright Israel, which provides educational trips to Israel for young Jewish adults worldwide. She has also supported the Israel Institute and the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, in addition to various institutions based in Tulsa.
In 2022, Lynn and Stacy Schusterman were awarded the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy, recognizing their sustained philanthropic impact. That same year, in cooperation with Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the foundation helped establish a hospital in response to the humanitarian crisis triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The foundation’s portfolio includes support for ELEM, an organization assisting at-risk youth, and the Israeli Association of Community Centers. Lynn Schusterman has also been involved in the creation of the Haruv Institute, dedicated to training professionals who work to prevent child neglect, violence, and discrimination.
In 2023, the foundation donated $300,000 to a major Jewish environmental organization, expanding its engagement with climate-related issues. Its philanthropic strategy integrates communal identity, institutional innovation, and long-term sustainability across both the United States and Israel.
