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Listening to the CBS Morning News this a.m., Charlie Rose provided a preview of his forthcoming 60 Minutes segment on the “Giving Pledge.” Initiated by Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett, the signatories pledge that they will dedicate the majority of their wealth to philanthropy.

Under “People” on the Do Good LA website, we have provided profiles of most of the signatories from Southern California and will soon post profiles of those remaining.

Thanks to Professor Philip Massey (UCLA Ph.D. Public Health) and Do Good LA team member, I learned about the Falling Walls Lab competition that was to take place on October 3 at UCLA. As a fan of fast pitch competitions, I knew that I was in for a treat. So, I made the trek from Pasadena to Westwood in rush hour traffic to attend.

To many people, the term "nonprofit" connotes "noble"--a frugal organization whose passionate (and often underpaid) staff are working hard to eradicate a vexing problem or provide a needed societal benefit--or a strongly-backed but well run organization marshaling relatively enormous resources at targeted challenges. This perception likely characterizes most of the nonprofits in the United States and certainly those that are profiled on this website.

Everyone knows that the Oscars and the Emmys are awarded in Los Angeles to entertainment industry figures and firms. And we take pride in this distinction. However, how many people know (here or elsewhere) that major prizes honoring leading humanitarians, social entrepreneurs, scientists, and educators are also based in Southern California?