News
Featured News
September 2023
Announcing the Ten Recipients of Our Annual Social Impact Theatre Grant Program
Today, we’re excited to announce the ten new recipients of our annual Social Impact Grant Theatre Program, which provides production support for theatres in Western states igniting positive changes in their communities through the programming they bring to life on stage, and innovating how they engage their audiences around timely, relevant issues.
This is a critical moment for theatres across the country, with many theatres struggling financially. Theatre is central to every community’s economic and social vitality, and we are thrilled to support ten productions that use the power of theatre to address relevant social justice issues and engage their audiences.
IN THE NEWS
“10 Shows to Receive Biller Family Foundation Social Impact Grants”
The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation have announced 10 recipients of their annual Social Impact Theatre Grant Program, which provides production support for theatres in Western states that are igniting positive changes in their communities through their onstage programming, and are innovating how they engage audiences around timely, relevant issues.
How Partnership Propelled Our Arts Funding; A Case Study and Reflection
Foundation Grants Manager Geri Auriemma reflects in an essay for Grantmakers in the Arts on our partnership with the Theatre Communications Group and the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation in supporting Black theatres, Indigenous theatres, and Theatres of Color through the Thrive! Program.
October 2022
“TCG Announces RECOGNIZE Grantees for THRIVE! Uplifting Theatres of Color Program”
Broadway World
“In this inaugural round of the program, The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation has joined as a supporting partner for theatres in Western states.”
May 2022
“Sheri and Les Biller give $10M to City of Hope”
The Puget Sound Business Journal
“The Seattle-based Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation has donated $10 million to City of Hope, one of the largest cancer research and treatment centers in the country. The money is earmarked to expand COH’s renowned supportive care program, which provides cancer patients and their families with comprehensive physical, psychological, social and practical support services.”
April 2022
Geffen Playhouse announces 2022/2023 season
Broadway World
“The Inheritance reunites Geffen Playhouse alums Matthew López & Mike Donahue (The Legend of Georgia McBride, 2017) for an extended run of the celebrated Stephen Daldry production after its Olivier Award-sweeping London and Tony Award-winning Broadway runs. A grant from The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation is providing support for this production.”
August 2021
“More New CEOs”
The Chronicle of Philanthropy
“Audrey Haberman will become CEO of the Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation next month. Currently she is managing director of the Giving Practice.”
October 2020
Planning for the coming recovery by building careers
The Philadelphia Business Journal
For long-term equitable economic recovery, we need more entry-level job training—even before jobs are ready to be filled. CareerWork$ and our BankWork$ partner, Philadelphia Opportunities Industrialization Center, Inc. share thoughts on how to move the nation ahead.
October 2020, Cedars Sinai
Determination combined with thoughtful generosity helps to launch a new career in the time of COVID-19.
July 2019, 4 CBS Denver
Goodwill Industries of Denver Offers Pathways to Employment in Banking
May 2019, Dr. Guy Hudson’s Blog
Partnering with CareerWork$ Medical on Career Development
CareerWork$ Medical is a partnership between the YWCA of Seattle, King & Snohomish Counties and the Biller Family Foundation that provides job training and placement support for those who are interested in getting a foot in the door for careers in health care administration.
May 2018, Working Nation
Banking on Your Future: JVS BankWork$ delivers quality workers for the banking industry
VIDEOS & STORIES
May 2022, City of Hope
Featured Video | Deepening our partnership with the City of Hope, one of the largest cancer research and treatment organizations in the United States, to bring supportive care to every cancer patient and creating more equitable access to integrated cancer care.
December 2017, Philadelphia OIC
Featured Video | Philadelphia OIC Graduates the First BankWork$ Cohort
ANNOUNCEMENTS
September 2023
Announcing the Ten New Recipients of Our Annual Social Impact Theatre Grant Program
We are excited to announce the ten new recipients of our annual Social Impact Theatre Grant Program, which provides production support for theatres in Western states igniting positive changes in their communities through the programming they bring to life on stage, and innovating how they engage their audiences around timely, relevant issues.
July 2023
Our 2022 Annual Report
Today, we’re sharing our 2022 Annual Report.
As this report shows, 2022 was a year of impact and growth for the Foundation.
“Since launching the Foundation in 2001, we have been committed to changing people’s lives in real and meaningful ways, and we hope you see that reflected in the stories in this report,” said Sheri and Les Biller. “Each day, the power of these stories reminds us why we’re committed to creating solutions that can be scaled and replicated in communities beyond our own – and why we are committed to helping people.”
May 2023
The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation’s Social Impact Theatre Grant Program Now Accepting Applications
The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation announces the launch of its annual Social Impact Theatre Grant Program. The Biller Family Foundation is excited to launch their annual Social Impact Theatre grant program, providing production-specific support to theatres that are igniting positive changes in their communities through the programming they bring to life on stage.
December 2022
Advocating for An End to Food Insecurity and Helping Those Experiencing Hunger This Winter
Almost 24 million U.S. households don’t have enough to eat during the week. In some areas of our country, nearly a third of the population experiences food insecurity. One in six children in America may experience food insecurity. The causes of hunger are complex and include regional, racial, and social inequities. We hope that organizations and leaders will address the immediate needs of people facing hunger while addressing the root causes: poverty, injustice, and a lack of equitable access to systems and resources. As we work to advance equitable change, we wanted to do our part, too.
May 2022
A New Phase In Our Work to Create More Equitable Access to Integrated Supportive Care for Every Cancer Patient and Family
Today, we’re announcing that we are deepening our partnership with City of Hope to bring supportive care to every cancer patient and creating more equitable access to integrated cancer care. We’ve made a $10 million gift to expand access to supportive care for patients across its cancer care system, and to advocate for making supportive care the national standard practice for cancer care in the United States.
April 2022
The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation Announces Ten Recipients of Its Annual Social Impact Theatre Grant Program
The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation announced today ten new recipients of its annual Social Impact Theatre Grant Program, which provides production support for theatres in Western states igniting positive changes in their communities through the programming they bring to life on stage, and innovating how they engage their audiences around the important issues of our day.
August 2021
Audrey Haberman Joins The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation As Chief Executive Officer
The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation announced that Audrey Haberman will join the Foundation as its Chief Executive Officer to lead the Foundation’s continued work for sustainable and equitable change in its four focus areas of supportive care, workforce development, social impact theatre, and public education.
April 2021
BankWork$® Celebrates Endorsement by Texas Bankers Association, Partnership to Help Expand BankWork$ Across Texas
BankWork$ is celebrating the endorsement by the Texas Bankers Association and its partnership to help expand the program across Texas in the coming years. The Texas Bankers Foundation, the charitable arm of the Texas Bankers Association, has also committed $5,000 to Dallas College’s BankWork$ program, to support the program’s expansion to its Richland campus in Fall 2021.
February 2021
The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation Welcomes Sarah Lyding to Board of Directors
The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Sarah Lyding to its Board of Directors. Sarah Lyding is the Executive Director of The Music Man Foundation, also known as The Meredith and Rosemary Willson Charitable Foundation. Before joining The Music Man Foundation in 2017, Ms. Lyding was the Executive Director for The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation, where she worked for nearly 10 years building programs such as BankWork$TM and the Social Impact Theatre opportunity.
September 2019
CareerWork$ Medical® Free Job Training Program Continues West Coast Expansion to Los Angeles and Portland, OR
CareerWork$, Inc. announced today that it has partnered with JVS So-Cal and Worksystems, Inc to expand its CareerWork$ Medical job training program to Los Angeles and the greater Portland area.
August 2019
P4W, PA Bankers Association, Elected Officials, Kick-Off BankWork$® Program in Pittsburgh
Partner4Work, in collaboration with the PA Bankers Association and several of the region’s leading financial institutions, announced the launch of BankWork$ Pittsburgh.
March 2019
BankWork$® to partner with Fremont Adult and Continuing Education to offer Eight-Week Financial Services Industry Career Training Program in Greater East Bay
BankWork$® announced today that it has partnered with Fremont Adult and Continuing Education to offer its eight-week free training program that places low-income young adults and those with barriers to employment in jobs in the financial services industry.
December 2018
CareerWork$, Inc.® and The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation Announce Sherry Cromett as the New President of Career Pathways
Today it was announced that Sherry Cromett will join CareerWork$, Inc. as the new President of Career Pathways.
October 2018
BankWork$ Partners with Employ Milwaukee and the Wisconsin Bankers Association to Bring Eight-Week Financial Services Industry Career Training Program to Milwaukee
BankWork$® announced today it is partnering with Employ Milwaukee and the Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA) to expand its eight-week free training program to southeastern Wisconsin.
June 2017
BankWork$® Expands to the Northeast; Partners with Philadelphia OIC to Bring Career Opportunities to Residents
Today, Philadelphia Opportunities Industrialization Center, Inc. announced its partnership with BankWork$ – A California based organization that trains young adults from low income and minority communities for lasting careers in the financial services industry.