Community Giving

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is celebrated for its groundbreaking science - from Fusion Ignition to safeguarding the nuclear stockpile. But there’s another story - grounded in community, connection, and a deep culture of giving. In this episode, we’ll explore how the same passion that drives scientific discovery fuels the Lab’s commitment to making a difference beyond its walls.

• 0:02Speaker 00

  From fusion ignition to the nuclear stockpile, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is known around the world for its cutting-edge research, national security contributions, and scientific breakthroughs. But there's one thing that most of us haven't seen in the headlines: a different story woven into the fabric of the lab.

• 0:23Speaker 01

  I'll bet you a bunch of people at the laboratory, the 9,000 people we have, don't know much about the program. So maybe this podcast will really help them understand more.

• 0:34Speaker 00

  A parallel kind of energy exists within the lab: one powered by the spirit of giving, human connection, and heartfelt generosity. Because for many at the lab, the work doesn't stop at the edge of a project. Today, we're turning our focus to that story: about community and the ties that bind us together. Welcome to the Big Ideas Lab, your weekly exploration inside Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Hear untold stories, meet boundary-pushing pioneers, and get unparalleled access inside the gates.

• 1:17Speaker 00

  From national security challenges to computing revolutions, discover the innovations that are shaping tomorrow today. Philanthropy has been woven into Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's culture since its founding in the early 1950s. In the early days, the lab's efforts were tightly focused on scientific innovation and national security. And as the lab grew, so did its heart. Informal partnerships with local schools, nonprofits, and public agencies evolved into structured programs dedicated to advancing education, workforce development, and social services.

• 2:02Speaker 00

  These programs range from a diverse $1.3 million matching fund that supports employee donations to their chosen 501(c)(3) charities, to more focused initiatives like the Community Gift Program. The Community Gift Program is a key initiative which provides direct funding to local schools and nonprofit organizations. The program launched in 2010 and distributes $220,000 annually to support K through 12 schools and community organizations, empowering students and educators with tools to thrive. Trey Johnston is the Director of Lawrence Livermore's Corporate Offices.

• 2:42Speaker 01

  The laboratory is run by the Board of Governors, which are the four parent companies' officials who advise the Director on community and laboratory operations. And one of the things that they've decided to put in place was the Community Gift Program. And we put that in place in 2010 to provide STEM and STEAM, science, technology, engineering, math, and arts availability for the community. And so this program has been in effect for 15 years now. It's a volunteer program that we offer to the community. Because we're the lab, we do focus a lot on STEM.

• 3:27Speaker 00

  The program has evolved to meet the growing needs of local organizations and schools. What started as a commitment to supporting STEM and STEAM initiatives has expanded, reaching more communities and providing greater opportunities. As the program continues to grow, the focus is shifting toward adapting to evolving needs, especially when it comes to technology.

• 3:50Speaker 01

  We're getting to a world now where computers and iPads and laptops are a lot cheaper and a lot easier to obtain. And so, right now, they're not allowable in our program because they're kind of easy to walk away with. But we're realizing we're getting more and more requests for electronics and things like that, that the world's operating on. Right now, we allow 3D printers, but we don't allow iPads or anything like that. You've got to weigh the value of what you're giving them with how much you've got available to give them. And we all know that an iPad can take up a lot of the money that we have available for them. So we're trying to push them into the things that they can't get from other grants or other areas out here.

• 4:36Speaker 00

  Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory receives grant funding through a management fee earned from its federal contract with the Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration.

• 4:46Speaker 01

  It's just a really nice, warm, fuzzy feeling and that we're doing the right thing.

• 4:51Speaker 00

  This funding supports a diverse range of initiatives, like providing essential resources for homeless women and children through the Bay Area Rescue Mission, supporting hands-on STEM experience at the Children's Museum of Stockton, and empowering students in Oakland's lowest-income neighborhoods through organizations like Children Rising. At its core, science is about curiosity and problem-solving. The same mindset drives the lab's culture of giving: identifying where there's a need and finding ways to help.

• 5:24Speaker 01

  We have given to the Alameda County Foster Parent Association, the Bay Area Rescue Mission, the Children's Museum in Stockton, the Curious Five that promotes K through 12th grade students for STEM learning, the Down Syndrome Connection in the Bay Area, several of the high schools, the East Bay Holocaust Education Center. We give a lot to high schools for robotics and for drone work because those are really high-profile for the schools and for the laboratory.

• 6:03Speaker 00

  The lab's commitment to giving back extends beyond predefined contributions. The Home Campaign is an employee-driven initiative that has been a cornerstone of the lab's charitable efforts for decades.

• 6:15Speaker 02

  Over the past 50 years, The Home Campaign has become the largest charitable giving event and has raised over $82 million to date, which is pretty amazing.

• 6:24Speaker 00

  Kelly Glazier is the Home Program Manager.

• 6:28Speaker 02

  The Home Campaign is helping others more effectively, and it's the annual charitable giving campaign organized by Lawrence Livermore National Lab. It allows employees to donate to a wide range of nonprofit organizations, with a portion of their donations being matched by our managing contractor, Lawrence Livermore National Security, also known as LENS.

• 6:49Speaker 00

  For five decades, The Home Campaign has empowered Lawrence Livermore employees to give back in a meaningful way. Employees have the opportunity to support causes close to their hearts while knowing their contributions are amplified through matching funds provided by LENS. Both science and giving are driven by hope. Hope that what you're working on today will make a difference tomorrow.

• 7:13Speaker 02

  That's actually the nice thing about our Home Campaign is it's employee-driven. So employees are allowed to choose any 501(c)(3) that they're passionate about, and they get to choose what charity they want to donate to, and then the lab will match that donation.

• 7:29Speaker 00

  Each year, LENS provides $1.3 million in matching funds. Unlike traditional corporate giving programs, The Home Campaign offers employees the flexibility to choose where their donations go, whether to a national nonprofit, a grassroots initiative, or other meaningful cause.

• 7:49Speaker 02

  It's roughly been about 1,500 charities, unique charities, that we donate per year. And a lot of these nonprofit organizations focused on community projects, disaster reliefs, healthcare initiatives, education programs, and a lot of other things like that.

• 8:05Speaker 00

  This campaign benefits the charities receiving the funds and strengthens Lawrence Livermore's culture of generosity and shared purpose.

• 8:13Speaker 02

  The Home Campaign unites us and helps create communities for those that want to give back.

• 8:17Speaker 00

  Behind every initiative are real stories of impact.

• 8:21Speaker 02

  Incorporating giving and volunteerism into the workplace creates a culture of empathy and connection, which are essential components to really creating a supportive environment. When employees feel that they are contributing to something greater than themselves, I feel like it really fosters a sense of belonging and fulfillment. And this in turn leads to happier, more engaged employees who are better equipped to balance the demands of work and life.

• 8:48Speaker 00

  Kelly was a program manager for work-life balance at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory for eight years before stepping into the charitable giving program manager role. She sees her current role as a natural extension of her belief in holistic wellness, encompassing mind, body, and spirit. For Trey, overseeing the community gift program is a source of pride and fulfillment, knowing that Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is making a lasting impact on local schools and organizations.

• 9:20Speaker 01

  What motivates us all to do it is the joy you get from knowing that you're giving back to the community.

• 9:27Speaker 00

  Beyond financial support, the relationships built with local schools and organizations are a rewarding part of the program.

• 9:35Speaker 01

  They've invited us to come to their schools and they want to meet us and they will send us videotapes of their competitions and we get Christmas cards from them and little thank you notes from the elementary schools with all their little signatures on it that we've got hung up in our office downtown. We feel like it's doing what it's supposed to do, making a difference in the community, in the tri-valley.

• 9:57Speaker 00

  Like any initiative, challenges arise. At Lawrence Livermore, the team continuously works to boost employee participation, balance funding requests, and ensure resources are directed to the most impactful projects.

• 10:13Speaker 02

  It's not always a money goal. It's really employee participation. It's people getting involved in home, learning about these charitable giving efforts, and starting to give back to our communities. So it's less of a dollar amount per employee, but more of a participation rate that we strive for.

• 10:30Speaker 00

  At Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, giving back is a core value that continues to evolve and expand.

• 10:37Speaker 01

  It's a great program and we hope that it keeps going. Our contract with the government has just been extended till 2031. I would imagine that we will keep funding it for these next few years that we're going to be here.

• 10:49Speaker 00

  Through dedication of its employees and strategic partnerships, the lab's impact reaches beyond scientific achievements to create meaningful change in the community.

• 10:59Speaker 00

  These efforts grow stronger every year with fostering connections, inspiring generosity, and reinforcing a shared commitment to making a difference. Lawrence Livermore's ongoing support ensures the spirit of giving remains an integral part of its identity. For more information, visit llnl.gov/community-education/community-giving.

• 11:36Speaker 00

  Thank you for tuning in to Big Ideas Lab. If you loved what you heard, please let us know by leaving a rating and review. And if you haven't already, don't forget to hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app to keep up with our latest episode. Thanks for listening.