SOURCE OF WEALTH: Olen Properties
FUNDING AREAS: Vision Impairment & Blindness, Environment & Animals
OVERVIEW: Igor Olenicoff and family move philanthropy through the Andrei Olenicoff Memorial Foundation, which was founded to preserve the memory of Igor’s late son, Andrei, who was afflicted with Retinitis Pigmentosa. The foundation also supports animal welfare and protecting the oceans and natural environment. Recent annual grantmaking has been modest.
BACKGROUND: Igor Olenicoff fled the Soviet Union with his family as a teen. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree, M.S. and MBA from University of Southern California. His company, Olen Properties, owns 8 million square feet of office space and 12,000 residential units in California and four other U.S. states.
ISSUES:
BLINDNESS: During his lifetime, Olenicoff’s son Andrei was afflicted with a degenerative retinal disease known as Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP). The foundation’s primary goal to find a cure for “these life-altering diseases and aiding people affected by vision impairment and blindness.” The foundation has supported the Braille Institute, Foundation Fighting Blindness, Blind Children’s Learning Center, the Hoag Hospital Foundation and the O.C. Makapo Aquatics Project, a “blind and visually impaired canoe club in Orange County.”
OTHER: The family has strong ties to Southern California, where Andrei spent his formative years. Via the Andrei Olenicoff Memorial Foundation, the family has also supported the Ocean Institute, McCoy Rigby Arts and the Los Altimos Youth Baseball.
LOOKING FORWARD: Olenicoff is in his 70s and grantmaking through his foundation has lately been modest compared to his wealth. However, the foundation’s board membership includes several Olenicoff family members who could influence future giving. Outside Southern California, the family also has ties to Florida.
CONTACT:
Andrei Olenicoff Memorial Foundation
7 Corporate Plaza
Newport Beach, CA 92660
(949) 719-7256