About the Lulu & Leo Fund
The Lulu & Leo Fund was founded in November 2012 by Kevin and Marina Krim in memory of their children, 6-year-old Lulu and 2-year-old Leo Krim, who were killed in October 2012. The goals of the Fund, which it intends to achieve by working with museums, schools and other community institutions, educators and artists, are to create, fund and promote extracurricular arts and science programs for students who would not otherwise have access to programs of these types.
Thus far, the Fund’s primary activities have consisted of (1) setting up its basic operating structures; (2) using online media to shape the extremely large group of people affected by Leo and Lulu’s deaths into a cohesive community, and to channel that community’s energies toward the Fund; and (3) meeting with artists, educators and New York museums regarding the establishment of the first of the pilot programs discussed below.
To advance its goals in arts and science education, the Fund is considering establishing the following pilot programs, which would be offered in conjunction with certain museums, schools and other community institutions and organizations:
- The first pilot program would be an after-school arts program that would introduce students to artists and their creative skills via hands-on practice. In order to improve access for children from less privileged backgrounds, this program would be structured with a focus on lowering tuition costs and creating a calendar that accommodates working parents’ schedules.
- The second pilot program would pair accomplished artists with groups of students to create indoor and outdoor murals, raising awareness and appreciation of artists and arts in community spaces. The Fund is working to obtain the rights and permissions for potential mural spaces while simultaneously engaging artists and schools for potential projects.
- The third pilot program would be a hands-on ecology and biology education course for young students and parents, offered in partnership with a major park or wildlife refuge. Consistent with the Fund’s mission, this program would be structured to improve accessibility for students who would rarely be exposed to applied science education opportunities.
As a means of broadening its reach and maximizing its impact, the Fund is also considering developing and funding a fellowship grant program. Under this program, the Fund would provide grants to applicants who have committed to multi-year projects that are consistent with the goals of the Fund. Applicants, who may be institutions or individuals, would submit detailed proposals, and the Fund would award grants, in the form of monetary and non-monetary support, based on their proposals’ innovation and creativity in furthering the Fund’s goals in art and science education. Grant recipients would submit regular progress reports, share lessons and successful ideas, and meet periodically to create a community of like-minded creative educators. The Fund would track the effect of these projects and provide ongoing support such as strategic consultation, publicity, technology development, and volunteer coordination.
The Fund intends to pursue a rigorous fundraising strategy in order to establish and sustain programs similar to those described above.
