Big Ideas Lab - Community Giving

Episode Date: March 4, 2025

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is celebrated for its groundbreaking science - from Fusion Ignition to safeguarding the nuclear stockpile. But there’s another story - grounded in community, connection, and a deep culture of giving. In this episode, we’ll explore how the same passion that drives scientific discovery fuels the Lab’s commitment to making a difference beyond its walls.-- Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series. Executive Produced by Lacey Peace and Levi Hanusch.Sound Design, Music Edit and Mix by Daniel Brunelle. Story Editing by Daniel Brunelle. Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell. Narrated by Matthew Powell. Video Production by Levi Hanusch. Guests featured in this episode (in order of appearance): Trey Johnston, Director, Lawrence Livermore National Security Corporate OfficeKellie Glaser, Program Manager, HOME, LLNLBrought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

From fusion ignition to the nuclear stockpile, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is known around the world for its cutting-edge research, national security contributions, and scientific breakthroughs. But there's one thing that most of us haven't seen in the headlines. A different story woven into the fabric of the lab. I'll bet you a bunch of people at the laboratory, the 9,000 people we have, don't know much about the program. So maybe this podcast will really help them understand more. A parallel kind of energy exists within the lab, one powered by the spirit of giving, human connection, and heartfelt generosity. Because for many at the lab, the work doesn't stop at the edge of a project. Today, we're turning our focus to that story,

about community and the ties that bind us together. Welcome to the Big Ideas Lab, your weekly exploration inside Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Hear untold stories, meet boundary-pushing pioneers, and get unparalleled access inside the gates. From national security challenges to computing revolutions, discover the innovations that are shaping tomorrow, today. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is opening its doors to a new wave of talent. If you're driven by curiosity and a desire to solve complex challenges, the lab has a

job opening for you. Currently, there are 139 open positions. These include opportunities in science, engineering, business, administration, and the skilled trades. From enhancing national security to pioneering new energy sources and advancing scientific frontiers, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is where you can make your mark on the world. Today's open roles include lead power grid engineer, laser modeling physicist, postdoctoral researcher,

OCEC program leader, and chief data architect. But the list doesn't end there. Explore all available positions at LLNL.gov forward slash careers. Each opportunity comes with a comprehensive benefits package tailored to your lifestyle and future. Join a workplace that champions professional growth, fosters collaboration, inspires innovation, and drives the pursuit of excellence. If you are ready to contribute to work that matters, visit LLNL.gov forward slash careers

to explore all the current job listings. That's LLNL.gov forward slash careers. Your expertise could very well be the highlight of our next podcast interview. Don't wait. Philanthropy has been woven into Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's culture since its founding in the early 1950s. In the early days, the lab's efforts were tightly focused on scientific innovation and national security. And as the lab grew, so did its heart.

Informal partnerships with local schools, nonprofits, and public agencies evolved into structured programs dedicated to advancing education, workforce development, and social services. These programs range from a diverse $1.3 million matching fund that supports employee donations to their chosen 501c3 charities to more focused initiatives like the Community Gift Program. The Community Gift Program is a key initiative which provides direct funding to local schools and non- nonprofit organizations. The program launched in 2010 and distributes $220,000 annually to support K through 12

schools and community organizations, empowering students and educators with tools to thrive. Trey Johnston is the director of Lawrence Livermore's corporate offices. The laboratory is run by the Board of Governors, which are the four parent companies officials who advise the director on community and laboratory operations. And one of the things that they decided to put in place in 2010 to provide STEM and STEAM science, technology, engineering, math, and arts availability for the community. So this program has been in effect for 15 years now. It's a volunteer program that we offer to the community. Because we're the lab, we do focus a lot

on STEM. The program has evolved to meet the growing needs of local organizations and schools. What started as a commitment to supporting STEM and STEAM initiatives has expanded, reaching more communities and providing greater opportunities. As the program continues to grow, the focus is shifting toward adapting to evolving needs, especially when it comes to technology. We're getting to a world now where computers and iPads and laptops are a lot cheaper and a lot easier to obtain and so right now they're not allowable in our program because they're kind of easy to walk away with but we're realizing we're

getting more and more requests for electronics and things like that that the world's operating on. Right now we allow 3D printers, but we don't allow iPads or anything like that. You've got to weigh the value of what you're giving them with how much you've got available to give them. And we all know that an iPad can take up a lot of the money that we have available for them. So we're trying to push them into things that they can't get from other grants or other areas out here.

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory receives grant funding through a management fee earned from its federal contract with the Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration. It's just a really nice warm, fuzzy feeling and that we're doing the right thing. This funding supports a diverse range of initiatives, like providing essential resources for homeless women and children through the Bay Area Rescue Mission, supporting hands-on STEM experience at the Children's Museum of Stockton, and empowering students in Oakland's lowest income neighborhoods through organizations like Children Rising. At its core, science is about curiosity and problem-solving. The same mindset drives the lab's culture of giving, identifying

where there's a need and finding ways to help. We have given to the Alameda County Foster Parent Association, the Bay Area Rescue Mission, the Children's Museum in Stockton, the Curious Five that promotes K-12 grade students for STEM learning, the Down Syndrome Connection in the Bay Area, several of the high schools, the East Bay Holocaust Education Center. We give a lot to high schools for robotics and for drone work because those are really high profile for the schools and for the laboratory. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory invites you to join a diverse team of professionals. The lab is currently hiring for a lead power grid engineer, a laser modeling physicist,

postdoctoral researcher, an OCEC program leader, a chief data architect, and 139 other positions for scientists, engineers, IT experts, administrative and business professionals, welders and more. At Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, your contributions are not just jobs. They're a chance to make an impact, from strengthening U.S. security to leading the charge in revolutionary energy solutions and expanding the boundaries of scientific knowledge. The lab values collaboration, innovation, and excellence, offering a supportive workspace and comprehensive benefits to ensure your well-being and secure your future.

Seize the opportunity to help solve something monumental. Dive into the wide variety of job openings at LLNL.gov forward slash careers. This is your chance to join a team dedicated to a mission that matters. That's LLNL.gov forward slash careers. Your expertise might just be the spotlight in our next podcast interview. Don't delay. The lab's commitment to giving back extends beyond predefined contributions. The home campaign is an employee driven initiative that has been a cornerstone of the lab's

charitable efforts for decades. Over the past 50 years, the home campaign has become the largest charitable giving event and has raised over $82 million to date, which is pretty amazing. Kelly Glazier is the Home Program Manager. The Home Campaign is helping others more effectively, and it's the annual charitable giving campaign organized by Lawrence Livermore National Lab. It allows employees to donate to a wide range of non-profit organizations with a portion of their donations being matched by our managing contractor,

Lawrence Livermore National Security, also known as LINS. For five decades, the home campaign has empowered Lawrence Livermore employees to give back in a meaningful way. Employees have the opportunity to support causes close to their hearts while knowing their contributions are amplified through matching funds provided by Lins. Both science and giving are driven by hope. Hope that what you're working on today will make a difference tomorrow. That's actually the nice thing about our home campaign is it's employee driven. So employees are allowed to choose any 501C3 that they're passionate about, and they get to choose what charity they want to donate to,

and then the lab will match that donation. Each year, Lince provides $1.3 million in matching funds. Unlike traditional corporate giving programs, the home campaign offers employees the flexibility to choose where their donations go, whether to a national nonprofit, a grassroots initiative, or other meaningful cause. It's roughly been about 1,500 charities,

unique charities that we donate per year. And a lot of these nonprofit organizations focused on community projects, disaster reliefs, health care initiatives, education programs, and a lot of other things like that. This campaign benefits the charities receiving the funds and strengthens Lawrence Livermore's culture of generosity and shared purpose. The home campaign unites us and helps create communities for those that want to give back. Behind every initiative are real stories of impact. Incorporating giving and volunteerism into the workplace creates a culture of empathy

and connection, which are essential components to really creating a supportive environment. When employees feel that they are contributing to something greater than themselves, I feel like it really fosters a sense of belonging and fulfillment. And this in turn leads to happier, more engaged employees who are better equipped to balance the demands of work and life. Kelly was a program manager for work-life balance

at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory for eight years before stepping into the charitable giving program manager role. She sees her current role as a natural extension of her belief in holistic wellness, encompassing mind, body, and spirit. For Trey, overseeing the Community Gift Program is a source of pride and fulfillment, knowing that Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is making a lasting impact on local schools and organizations.

What motivates us all to do it is the joy you get from knowing that you're giving back to the community. Beyond financial support, the relationships built with local schools and organizations are a rewarding part of the program. They've invited us to come to their schools and they want to meet us and they will send us videotapes of their competitions and we get Christmas cards from them and little thank you notes from the elementary schools with all their little signatures on it that we've got hung up in our office downtown. We feel like it's doing what it's supposed to do, making a difference in the community,

in the Tri-Valley. Like any initiative, challenges arise. At Lawrence Livermore, the team continuously works to boost employee participation, balance funding requests, and ensure resources are directed to the most impactful projects. It's not always a money goal. It's really employee participation. It's people getting involved in home, learning about these charitable giving efforts, and starting to give back to our communities. So it's less of a dollar amount per employee, but more of a participation rate that we strive for.

At Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, giving back is a core value that continues to evolve and expand. It's a great program and we hope that it keeps going. Our contract with the government has just been extended till 2031. I would imagine that we will keep funding it for these next few years that we're going to be here. Through dedication of its employees and strategic partnerships, the lab's impact reaches beyond scientific achievements to create meaningful change in the community. These efforts grow stronger every year with fostering connections, inspiring generosity, and reinforcing a shared commitment to making a difference. Lawrence Livermore's ongoing support ensures the spirit of giving remains an

integral part of its identity. For more information visit LLNL.gov forward slash community dash education forward slash community dash giving. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is opening its doors to a new wave of talent. Whether you're a scientist, an IT professional, a welder, an administrative or business professional, or an engineer, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory has an opportunity for you. From enhancing national security to pioneering new energy sources and advancing scientific frontiers, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is where you can make your mark on the world. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's culture

is rooted in collaboration, innovation, and the pursuit of excellence. We offer a work environment that supports your professional growth and a benefits package that looks after your wellbeing and future. Are you ready to contribute to work that matters? Visit llnl.gov forward slash careers to explore current job openings and learn more

about the application process. Don't miss the chance to be a part of a mission driven team working on projects that make the impossible possible. Visit LLNL.gov forward slash careers now to view the current job listings. Remember, that's LLNL.gov forward slash careers. Your expertise could be the highlight of our next podcast interview. Don't wait. Explore the possibilities today. Thank you for tuning in to Big Ideas Lab. If you loved what you heard, please let us know by leaving a rating and review.

And if you haven't already, don't forget to hit the follow or subscribe button in your podcast app to keep up with our latest episode. Thanks for listening.