A charitable foundation set up by Kirk Douglas and his wife announced pledges Thursday totaling $50 million to five nonprofit organizations, including the Motion Picture & Television Fund.
Founded by the 95-year-old actor and his wife in 1964, the Los Angeles-based Douglas Foundation's primary focus is on health and educational programs.
"Anne and I are of one mind in our philosophical approach to philanthropy," Douglas said. "We believe caring is sharing."
A portion of the couple's gift will enlarge and improve the Harry's Haven Alzheimer's unit at the Motion Picture & Television Fund's retirement home and hospital in Woodland Hills.
Funds will also go towards the Anne Douglas Center for Women, which offers shelter, recovery assistance and employment programs at the Los Angeles Mission downtown, and the Center Theater Group's Kirk Douglas Theater. The 317-seat venue, located in a renovated art deco theater on Washington Boulevard in Culver City, opened in 2004 and produces a range of events, including collaborations with other Los Angeles theater companies and world premieres of new plays and musicals.
Another pledge is marked for the Sinai Temple, a conservative synagogue which Douglas attends. The Westwood temple is home of the Kirk and Anne Douglas Childhood Center. A gift to Douglas' alma mater, St. Lawrence University in New York, will widen a scholarship program for minority students who maintain a 3.0 grade-point average.
