SOURCE OF WEALTH: Illustrator, Producer; IHOP Co-founder
FUNDING AREAS: Documentary Film, Education & Community
OVERVIEW: Albert and Trudy Kallis conduct their philanthropy through the Albert and Trudy Kallis Foundation, which produces award-winning film and television programming on a broad range of documentary subjects. It also supports educational and community service organizations by crafting special interest programs, making direct contributions, and endowing scholarships.
BACKGROUND: Albert Kallis was an early investor in International House of Pancakes (IHOP), opening the first location in Toluca Lake, in suburban Los Angeles. He was was a professional illustrator and art director specializing in motion picture advertising. His clients included Universal Pictures, and 20th Century Fox.
Trudy Kallis graduated from Chicago Academy of Art. Over the years, she has been a production assistant on several feature films and a freelance artist. She was an early investor in IHOP with her husband Albert.
ALBERT AND TRUDY KALLIS FOUNDATION: The foundation has produced documentaries like “Most Valuable Players,” which follows high school theater troupes on their journey to the Freddy Awards ceremony - the Tony Awards for high school musicals. The Kallis Foundation is a backer of the Young Musicians Foundation (YMF), which promotes the classical music tradition by nurturing the personal, academic, and artistic development of youth. It has also supported places like Geffen Playhouse, Skirball Cultural Center, National Fund for Jewish Culture, and Santa Monica Philharmonic. These grants are in the three and four-figure range.
LOOKING FORWARD: The Kallis Foundation’s board consists of Kallis family members, including Emmy nominated television producer and writer Danny Kallis. They should be watched as well.
LINK: Contact Page