Whole Life Times: Giving Away Money

December 2004 | Whole Life Leaders

Giving Away Money

Philanthropist Wally Marks

by Linda LaRoche

Nineteenth century essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” No longer needing to earn a living, philanthropist Wally Marks uses his wealth to make a life.

Marks was born into Walter N. Marks Realty, a three-generation family-owned and managed real estate and asset management business. His father was instrumental in developing Rodeo Drive, and for several decades while he ran the business, Wally helped develop the historic Helms Bakery Building and the Third Street Promenade. Now that he’s retired, Marks has turned his focus from land deals to philanthropy. “Money is only a tool to do with it what you want and serve a purpose,” he asserts.

With a mercurial temperament and laser mind, Marks hasn’t the time or inclination for the glamour side of philanthropy. Instead of putting his name on buildings or appearing in Style section photographs, he focuses on the underdog and uses his money to effect change.

Dad was obviously his business inspiration, but Marks’ concern for his fellow man came from a neighbor. “When I was growing up, Jean Serioty, the mother of my [neighborhood] friend Alan (who later became an assemblyman and California state senator), talked to us in a serious tone about social justice. Her words and example had a lasting impression,” he explained.

One of Serioty’s causes that Marks said left an “indelible mark” upon him was her support of actor Paul Robeson. During the 1940s, the African-American Robeson’s protests against bigotry raised the suspicion of the House Committee on Un-American Activities. Subsequently, he was denied a passport by the State Department.

Marks has consistently endeavored to follow the example of both Robeson and Serioty. As a signifcant donor to California’s Clean Money Campaign, he hopes to end special interests’ and big money’s sway over elections, to restore voter confidence in the electoral process. In 2000, Marks joined the board of the Santa Monica-based Liberty Hill Foundation, bringing his giving spirit to the progressive grant-providing agency. And this past spring, Marks added artist patronage to his philanthropy roster. Having never formerly supported individual artists, he invested in photographer Barbara Grover’s project, “This land to me, some call it Palestine, others call it Israel,” a series incorporating images of Palestinians and Israelis with their personal narratives and comments on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

When asked what message Grover’s work conveyed to him, Marks whispered, “Solemnity. I felt that she is striving to bring about peace. My philanthropic focus has been primarily on America. But the ongoing crisis in the Middle East threatens to affect peace for Americans. So it’s up to us to work toward peace in Israel.”

Marks’ wife of 44 years, Suzy, shares her husband’s generosity. Following a visit to Israel last August, Suzy was introduced to Israeli artist Adi Yekutieli, and determined to spearhead fundraising efforts for the artist’s “10,000 Kite” project, a plan to fly 10,000 kites on either side of the wall Israel is building to separate its territory from Palestine.

As our government spends billions on wars and cancels social programs, more and more individuals such as the Marks’ will have to step up and take responsibility for enhancing their communities.

Linda LaRoche (tiferet22@yahoo.com) is a freelance writer who resides in Pasadena.

Resources

For more information on getting involved with the 10,000 kite fundraising project, contact happywally@aol.com.

Liberty Hill Foundation, www.libertyhill.org.

Clean Money Campaign, www.caclean.org.

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