The Thomas J. Long Foundation |
HISTORY
The Thomas J. Long Foundation was established in 1972 as a
California non-profit public benefit corporation. The Foundation
remains exempt from federal income taxation under Section 501
(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and is classified as a
private foundation under Section 509(a) of the Code.
The Foundation ended its fiscal year 2009 with over $80,000,000
in assets; however, one might not have expected such
prosperity given the humble beginning of our founder. Like a
character depicted in a Horatio Alger story, the rags-to-riches
story of Thomas J. Long is inspirational to all who knew him.
His conviction for giving back to the communities that helped
him to succeed in business is a core value still embraced by the
Foundation.
Thomas Jonathon Long was born in 1910 and raised in the tiny
town of Covelo, CA located in Mendocino County 200 miles
north of San Francisco. The son of a local merchant, Tom
honed the skills that would one day help him become an early
pioneer in the self-service retail drug store industry. After
graduation from the University of California, Berkeley in 1932
with a degree in Accounting Tom spent several years working
as an accountant before giving in to his merchant instincts. In
1938, Tom and his brother Joseph co-founded the Longs Drug
Stores chain in Oakland, CA.
As the business prospered so did Tom’s reputation as a
philanthropist. His civic and philanthropic involvement was
considerable. Service and concern for people were only two of
the qualities used to characterize Tom. Initially, grants to local
charities were made from his own wallet, and in 1972 he funded
The Thomas J. Long Foundation with $40,000. The Foundation
made 4 grants totaling $3,000 in its first year, and has continued
its tradition of grant making for 37 years. Upon Tom’s death in
1993, the Foundation became fully funded through bequest of a
significant portion of his estate. In 2009 the Foundation made
173 grants totaling $3,862,400.
Over the years, the Foundation has grown from a small group of
family members to an office staffed with three full-time
employees and five trustees making bi-annual grant awards.
Despite an over 2000-fold increase in assets the Foundation still
makes the vast majority of its grants to non-profits located in
Northern California's East Bay Area and Hawaiian communities
that Tom called home.
For many years Longs Drug Stores used the slogan “A
Tradition of Caring”; however, Thomas J. Long embodied a
tradition of caring throughout his entire life. In 1991, Tom was
honored at the Easter Seals Humanitarian Award dinner for his
contributions toward people with disabilities. The following
remarks in a letter from then California State Governor Pete
Wilson deservingly recognize the contributions of Thomas J.
Long.
California non-profit public benefit corporation. The Foundation
remains exempt from federal income taxation under Section 501
(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and is classified as a
private foundation under Section 509(a) of the Code.
The Foundation ended its fiscal year 2009 with over $80,000,000
in assets; however, one might not have expected such
prosperity given the humble beginning of our founder. Like a
character depicted in a Horatio Alger story, the rags-to-riches
story of Thomas J. Long is inspirational to all who knew him.
His conviction for giving back to the communities that helped
him to succeed in business is a core value still embraced by the
Foundation.
Thomas Jonathon Long was born in 1910 and raised in the tiny
town of Covelo, CA located in Mendocino County 200 miles
north of San Francisco. The son of a local merchant, Tom
honed the skills that would one day help him become an early
pioneer in the self-service retail drug store industry. After
graduation from the University of California, Berkeley in 1932
with a degree in Accounting Tom spent several years working
as an accountant before giving in to his merchant instincts. In
1938, Tom and his brother Joseph co-founded the Longs Drug
Stores chain in Oakland, CA.
As the business prospered so did Tom’s reputation as a
philanthropist. His civic and philanthropic involvement was
considerable. Service and concern for people were only two of
the qualities used to characterize Tom. Initially, grants to local
charities were made from his own wallet, and in 1972 he funded
The Thomas J. Long Foundation with $40,000. The Foundation
made 4 grants totaling $3,000 in its first year, and has continued
its tradition of grant making for 37 years. Upon Tom’s death in
1993, the Foundation became fully funded through bequest of a
significant portion of his estate. In 2009 the Foundation made
173 grants totaling $3,862,400.
Over the years, the Foundation has grown from a small group of
family members to an office staffed with three full-time
employees and five trustees making bi-annual grant awards.
Despite an over 2000-fold increase in assets the Foundation still
makes the vast majority of its grants to non-profits located in
Northern California's East Bay Area and Hawaiian communities
that Tom called home.
For many years Longs Drug Stores used the slogan “A
Tradition of Caring”; however, Thomas J. Long embodied a
tradition of caring throughout his entire life. In 1991, Tom was
honored at the Easter Seals Humanitarian Award dinner for his
contributions toward people with disabilities. The following
remarks in a letter from then California State Governor Pete
Wilson deservingly recognize the contributions of Thomas J.
Long.
“While many choose to measure their success in
terms of personal achievements, it is most
noteworthy that your success is highlighted by the
numerous endeavors you have undertaken on
behalf of others. Throughout the years, being a
successful professional in the business realm has
not been enough to satisfy you, for you have chosen
to enrich the lives of many through your selfless
commitment to enhancing the quality of life for
citizens throughout the Golden State.”
terms of personal achievements, it is most
noteworthy that your success is highlighted by the
numerous endeavors you have undertaken on
behalf of others. Throughout the years, being a
successful professional in the business realm has
not been enough to satisfy you, for you have chosen
to enrich the lives of many through your selfless
commitment to enhancing the quality of life for
citizens throughout the Golden State.”
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