Kim BrattainFounder/ CEO, Kim Brattain Media · Award-winning Corporate and Documentary Film Producer

National Philanthropy Day - Eric and Lori Sklut | Motivational Video

30 Jan 2023 · 2 min

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2:01

In this brief interview, Lori and Eric Sklutt of the Levine‑Sklutt Family Foundation outline their philanthropic approach. They emphasize maximizing the number of people helped per dollar and prioritizing efficient agencies, citing Loaves and Fishes as a model. They discuss the power of challenge‑match campaigns to motivate donors of any size, noting that contributions ranging from $1 to $100 all make a significant impact. Their Jewish upbringing informs their commitment to tzedakah, the tradition of charitable giving. Finally, they express optimism about emerging from the COVID‑19 pandemic, hoping it will reinforce what truly matters in life and inspire continued generosity.

Hi, I'm Lori Sklutt.
And I'm Eric Sklutt, and we're part of the Levine-Sklutt Family Foundation. Our primary objectives with our foundation involve philanthropy throughout the region, the country, as well as some international agencies. I think Lori and I both have the same philosophy that the more heads that can be touched by every dollar, For us, it's more about the volume of help that that agency does and how efficient they are, and the best example is Loaves and Fishes.
We think doing challenge matches really motivates people. We were lucky enough to do a challenge match with Loaves and Fishes, and what was so wonderful, you had people who could only give $1 or people who could give $100, and whatever you gave made a huge difference.
Faith-based initiatives are a big part. We're both Jewish. We grew up in a Jewish environment. Tzedakah is a big thing— charity, giving back.
Hopefully we're going to be coming out of COVID next year, if we're lucky, and that everyone realized what's really important in life.
And it's not necessarily all the things we acquire, but it's I think from a path forward, if you want to say forward-thinking, for those who aren't able to write the check and to volunteer, we certainly encourage them to do that. And we know people are strapped, and we don't expect— no one expects them to forego food for their kids or taking care of an elderly to donate to a charity. But if they're in a position to do so, even if it's a small amount, we certainly would encourage it.