·S1 E31
The Power of Unrestricted Giving: How Melanie Lundquist Has Supported Homeboy for Over a Decade
Episode Description
Years ago, Homeboy Industries was experiencing financial hardship. In order to make payroll, Melanie and her husband Richard Lundquist received a call from a Homeboy Board member that resulted in a check with no strings attached. No restrictions. Just trust.
In this episode, Tom Vozzo sits down with 2026 Lo Maximo KINSHIP Honoree Melanie Lundquist, longtime Homeboy Industries supporter, to uncover the story behind that trust.
Melanie's father was raised in Boyle Heights, and she remains true to her roots, retaining her lifelong love of service to others.
Melanie and her husband, Richard are Giving Pledge (https://www.givingpledge.org/) signatories, and for them, impact is not about perfect numbers. It is about walking with the most vulnerable, and investing in replicable models like Homeboy Industries, that create systemic change
Key Takeaways
Cherishing each other is a shared responsibility.
If we had enough cherishing, there would be no need for Homeboy. Melanie subscribes to Warren Buffett's theory: money belongs to society; we're just temporary stewards.
Systemic change requires replicable models.
We live in a deeply broken system across education, justice, and healthcare. True success is not short term help. It is creating models that can replicate and drive change from the bottom up. Homeboy is a replicable model; dollars invested here reach far beyond LA.
Homies belong at the table
When people ask if Melanie has had "clients" at her dining room, she corrects them: "They're homies." She's proud to have them there. Your dollars build a model that helps people in Chicago, New York, and beyond.
Kindness costs nothing but changes everything
Yet we struggle to give it. As a philanthropist, Melanie says, "It's the biggest, most joyful journey of my life. I wouldn't trade it for anything."
In This Episode:
00:00 – Introduction
00:41 – Why Melanie became a supporter of Homeboy
05:53 – Why philanthropy gives life meaning
07:50 – Defining impact and systemic change
10:12 – Why donors should engage beyond money
12:10 – Gratitude and the deeper meaning of giving
14:02 – Why she chose to invest in Homeboy
16:20 – Balancing different causes and priorities
19:21 – Five-year forecast: the future of philanthropy
21:00 – Why long-term commitment matters
25:07 – Politics vs. philanthropy
26:45 – Elected officials prioritizing the poor and disenfranchised
27:51 – The freedom and limits of philanthropy
31:47 – Why Homeboy’s model works
34:07 – Can philanthropy save democracy?
37:00 – The power of kindness and empathy
38:03 – The redwood metaphor
Notable Quotes
“ If we had enough cherishing, there would be no need for Homeboy - Melanie [02:19]
“Philanthropy is the rent we pay for the air we breathe.” - Melanie [03:43]
“Philanthropy is the meaning of life and what gives our life meaning.” - Melanie [06:00]
“What does it cost people to be kind? It costs nothing.” - Melanie [37:00]
Resources and Links
Homeboy Industries
Homeboy Media
Melanie Lundquist
Thomas Vozzo
The Homeboy Way: A Radical Approach to Business and Life: https://www.amazon.com/Homeboy-Way-Radical-Approach-Business/dp/082945456X
Credits:
Hosted by: Tom Vozzo
Produced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media