SOURCE OF WEALTH: Wells Fargo Bank
FUNDING AREAS: Public Education, Supportive Care, Social Impact Theater, Career Pathways
OVERVIEW: Les Biller and his wife Sheri conduct philanthropy through the Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation, which collaborates with organizations to create innovative, scalable, and exportable program models in public education, supportive care, social impact theatre, and career pathways. According to available tax filings, the foundation awarded around $1 million in grants in 2017 and awarded just over $4.7 million in grants from 2014 to 2017.
BACKGROUND: Born in New York City, Leslie S. Biller graduated with a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from City College of New York, and an MBA from Xavier University. Originally working as an engineer, he switched careers and joined Citicorp. Biller has more than three decades of banking and investment experience. He retired as vice chairman and COO of Wells Fargo Bank in 2002.
PUBLIC EDUCATION: The foundation collaborates to build solutions in public education through the “key areas of leadership, policy, governance, and engagement to inspire systems to change and impact students’ lives.” Partners include Green Dot Public Schools Washington, The League of Education Voters Foundation (LEV), Partnership for Los Angeles Schools, and Summit Public Schools.
SUPPORTIVE CARE: The Biller Family Foundation works to address the “psychological, social, and spiritual needs of patients and their loved ones in tandem with a patient’s clinical treatment.” In 2018, the foundation gave $1 million to City of Hope to help educate oncologists, nurses and other health care professionals through the Sheri & Les Biller Patient and Family Resource Center. Other partners include the King County Sexual Assault Resource Center.
SOCIAL IMPACT THEATER: The foundation’s social impact focus area “fosters the art form by expanding access to inspiring productions and immersive educational experiences.” Partners include Seattle Children’s Theatre, Seattle Repertory Theatre, and Latino Theater Company.
CAREER PATHWAYS: Biller’s Career Pathways program focuses on career advancement through BankWork$, which prepares young adults from low-income and minority communities for careers in banking; and CareerWork$ Medical, which focuses on healthcare. The programs operate in the Seattle area in partnership with the YWCA.
LOOKING FORWARD: Since retiring, Biller has increased foundational giving. Expect the family’s steady giving to continue.
CONTACT:
Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation
601 Union Street, Suite 3030
Seattle, WA 98101
