Published in Progress and Promise, Winter 2008

Donor Spotlight

The Lefkofsky Foundation

Established in 2006 by Eric and Liz Lefkofsky, The Lefkofsky Family Foundation supports charitable, scientific, and educational causes throughout the world. In late 2007, The Foundation received a phone call from Mr. Lefkofsky requesting information about the work of Lustgarten Foundation, “Interestingly, I learned of The Lustgarten Foundation through the website of Dr. Randy Paush,” noted Eric Lefkofsky Family Foundation. “I was delighted with the Foundation’s extensive support of world-class research into the cause and cure of this horrible disease, which took the life of my grandfather.” The Lefkofsky Family Foundation has fully underwriten a Year 2008 Lustgarten Foundation research project for funding Mr. Lefkofsky embraced the same ‘risk reward’ approach to funding research that has earned him business success. The selected project, “Development of an Inflammation-based Pancreatic Cancer Model and Exploration of the Origins of Pancreatic Cancer” will be conducted by Dr. TimothyWang of Columbia University, and offers a progressive approach to studying the disease. The Lustgarten Foundation is delighted to have the generous support of new friends and research funding partners. Eric and Liz Lefkofsky Family Foundation.

About Eric Lefkofsky- Eric Lefkofsky is currently the President of Blue Media, LLC, a Chicago-based private equity and consulting firm focused on applying technology to service oriented business models. Through Blue Media, and its related subsidiaries, Mr. Lefkofsky plays an active role in the management of several large technology firms. Mr. Lefkofsky serves on the Board of Directors of Children’s Memorial Hospital and Steppenwolf Theatre. He graduated with honors from the University of Michigan and received his Juris Doctor at University of Michigan Law School.