The Osher Foundation

A $2 million gift by the Bernard Osher Foundation allows the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Washington to offer affordable high-quality programs to its members.

The foundation was established by Bernard Osher in 1977. Through the foundation, his philanthropy has benefited a wide range of educational, cultural and other nonprofit organizations. Recognizing that the proportion of older people in the United States is growing rapidly and with it, the demand for lifelong learning programs, the foundation began to encourage the development of vibrant learning communities of older adults. The foundation felt that these older students were interested in learning for the joy of learning — without homework or exams. 

Today the foundation supports more than 100 Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes on university and college campuses in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, as well as a National Resource Center for Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes at Northwestern University.