Natalie Cole and Nat King Cole Foundations Unite to Boost Charitable Impact Through Music
When Natalie Cole released Unforgettable … with Love in 1991, it marked a significant milestone in her career, becoming her most successful album. The project featured classic standards recorded by her father, Nat King Cole, solidifying her legacy in the R&B, pop, and jazz genres. The album achieved seven-times platinum status and won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year. Its title track, a duet with her father, garnered three Grammys, including Record of the Year.
Thirty-five years later, Natalie Cole’s legacy continues to resonate, particularly through her commitment to philanthropy. The Natalie Cole Foundation has donated over $1 million in the past two years, supporting scholarships and various charitable initiatives across the United States and internationally, including a community center in Costa Rica.
Collaborative Efforts in Philanthropy
Earlier this year, the Natalie Cole Foundation and the Nat King Cole Foundation joined forces to enhance their charitable outreach. Their collaboration focuses on supporting educational institutions and charitable organizations, including the Harlem School of the Arts, Berklee College of Music, Grammy Camp, and the Vienna Philharmonic Academy.
Following Natalie Cole’s passing in 2015, her estate was transitioned into the nonprofit foundation as per her wishes. This unique arrangement ensures that all revenues generated from her music royalties, SAG royalties, and book royalties are directed toward charitable causes. Howard Grossman, CEO of the Natalie Cole Foundation, emphasized that this model is distinct within the entertainment industry, stating, “We are the only foundation of our type where 100% of the money goes to charity.”
Leadership and Governance
Howard Grossman, who managed Natalie Cole’s business affairs from the late 1980s until her death, was appointed as the executor of her estate. Following the death of her son, Robert Yancy, in 2017, he became the sole trustee. Under his leadership, the foundation collaborates with a board of directors to select the charities and organizations it supports. The board includes Eduardo Pabellon, CFO; Seth Berg, co-manager of Frank Sinatra Enterprises; Barbara Rose, Natalie’s former manager; and music attorney Michael Crain.
Grossman noted the foundation’s mission to support charities that can make a significant impact, particularly in the arts, reflecting Natalie Cole’s own artistic contributions. He highlighted the Bhatia Family Village in Los Angeles, which serves adults with autism who have aged out of government assistance programs, as an example of the foundation’s commitment to making a difference.
Expanding Charitable Initiatives
The Natalie Cole Foundation has also partnered with the TM23 Foundation to establish soccer fields for underprivileged children in Los Angeles. Named Tommy’s Field in memory of a young soccer player who passed away unexpectedly, these multipurpose fields aim to provide safe spaces for local children, including those with special needs.
In addition to supporting local initiatives, the foundation collaborates with the David Foster Foundation, which was founded by Foster, a close friend of Natalie Cole and producer of her Unforgettable album. The foundation’s arts and education initiatives include a partnership with the Playing for Change Foundation to fund a community center in Cahuita, Costa Rica. This center, recognized by the United Nations for its positive impact on underserved children, offers lessons in music, dance, and voice, along with after-school programs.
Continuing the Cole Legacy
In 2008, Natalie Cole’s twin sisters, Casey and Timolin Cole, established Nat King Cole Generation Hope to address the decline of arts education due to budget cuts. The nonprofit has funded numerous music education programs in South Florida and Chicago, aiming to keep their father’s legacy alive. Timolin expressed the importance of their work, stating, “We’ve proudly provided music education to thousands of children, carrying forward our father’s legacy of hope, harmony, and opportunity.”
To broaden their outreach, the Nat King Cole Foundation and the Natalie Cole Foundation have recently decided to collaborate on specific scholarships and charitable efforts. Grossman remarked that this partnership allows both foundations to complement each other and work toward shared goals.
Both foundations are major contributors to the City of Hope and the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles. Last November, Berklee College of Music awarded the inaugural joint scholarship for voice to sophomore student Paris Pineyro, commemorating what would have been Natalie Cole’s 75th birthday. Timolin and Casey attended the Vienna Philharmonic Ball to celebrate the announcement of a scholarship for an American to attend the Vienna Philharmonic Academy.
The sisters noted that their collaboration opens doors to new models that can translate the Cole family’s heritage into lasting opportunities. Casey emphasized the transformative power of music, stating, “It’s about connecting cultures, saving lives across generations, and giving children the opportunity to explore and enjoy the power of music.”
As reported by www.billboard.com.
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Published on 2026-03-24 03:42:00 • By FAME Delivered News Desk