Bill Lyon is following in his father’s footsteps in more ways than one.
Like his dad,homebuilder Gen. William Lyon,the younger Lyon is big on philanthropy. But he says he’s not yet in the position to write the big checks his dad does.
Lyon is raising a family,he has a young daughter and a son due soon,and he’s tending to the family business. Lyon is executive vice president of Newport Beach-based William Lyon Homes Inc., where he’s being groomed to take over.
He’s part of the next generation of Orange County philanthropists, who now are in their 30s and 40s and are establishing companies, careers and, in many cases, raising kids.
They’re not on par with the county’s big philanthropists,think Donald Bren and Henry Samueli. Instead, they’re serving on boards and using their networks and skills to give back to charities.
The big checks will come later, they say.
They also say it’s important to set an example for their kids and to get them involved early in giving.
Lyon is on the board of Bowers Museum in Santa Ana and Pretend City, a children’s museum that’s in the works.
Pretend City is headed by Anne Marie Moiso, daughter of another of the county’s big givers, Anthony “Tony” Moiso of Rancho Mission Viejo LLC.
Bowers is established, so work on the board is routine, Lyon said. Pretend City is more like a startup, he said.
He relies on his contacts in the construction industry to donate their time and expertise.
“If you know the right people you can get a lot of things done,” Lyon said.
Pretend City, which began as a mobile school program, has raised $10 million in the past three years with another $7 million to go.
Lyon said he raises money for the museum from his peers, his parents and their friends and associates.
“My parents have been supporters,” he said of William Lyon and wife Willa Dean.
But they were the hardest to ask, he said.
“I felt nervous. I wanted to make sure I did a good job with it,” Lyon said.
His dad has been his model, Lyon said. William Lyon is founding chairman of Orangewood Children’s Foundation, among other philanthropic efforts.
“My dad’s shoes are pretty big to fill in business and philanthropy,” Lyon said. “Some of the things he did I just can’t comprehend.”
William Lyon’s generation of philanthropists, mostly entrepreneurs, laid the groundwork in OC, said Shelley Hoss, president of Orange County Community Foundation, an Irvine-based nonprofit that works with wealthy people on giving.
The first generation of givers,Bren, Samueli, Lyon, Moiso, Henry Segerstrom, Bill Gross, George Argy-ros, Paul Folino and others,gave big money to build schools, theaters and hospitals.
The next generation is figuring out how to keep it going, according to Hoss.
“Let our parents write the checks,” said Alex Bhathal, co-president of Tustin-based Raj Manufacturing Inc., founded by parents Raj and Marta Bhathal. “Let us be involved. As we mature and as our generation rises up to be leaders, we will have more means.”
Last year, Alex Bhathal and sister and co-president Lisa Vogel Bhathal took over the swimsuit maker in a private equity-backed buyout.
Alex Bhathal and friend Doug Cesario started the group Next@theBarclay, a fundraiser for the Irvine Barclay Theatre. The group is loosely run, with dues but no board.
Next@theBarclay shuns black tie galas in favor of fun cultural events once a quarter, such as wine tastings and the annual Newport Beach Film Festival’s dinner with the directors.
George Webb, a marketing manager for Broadcom Corp. in Irvine, heads the group. Bhathal’s sister also is involved.
The idea isn’t to raise oodles of money. It’s mostly to bring awareness to the arts, Alex Bhathal said.
Randall Bone, an OC resident who’s president of Palm Desert-based Sunrise Co., a developer of golf club communities, is taking a more strategic approach. He’s been taking part in the Orange County Community Foundation’s curriculum geared for next generation givers.
A group of about 15 people meet regularly to learn about the needs in OC and how best to tackle them.
It’s more of a business approach.
At the end of the year, Bone intends to put a plan in action.
“The world runs on the small acts of a lot of people,” Bone said. “It’s important to do something.”
What Lyon, Bone and others have in common is a desire to make a difference, Hoss said.
“It doesn’t matter what you give. It’s just that you do,” said Deanna Steele, president of The Lighthouse Guild, a group of about 25 people in their 20s, 30s and 40s who raise money for Olive Crest, which provides homes and services for abused children.
Steele works as director of Internet operations for City of Industry-based Hot Topic Inc. and runs a retail consulting business. She also has a family,a husband, three stepchildren and triplets on the way.
She finds time for her charity work during her commute to work.
The Lighthouse Guild raises modest sums of money. In the past six years, it has raised about $1 million. Its goal is $100,000 a year.
The next generation is more apt to call on corporations to make the bigger donations. Seattle-based Tommy Bahama Group Inc. sponsors the Lighthouse Guild’s golf tournament.
Many want to get their kids involved in giving back.
Bone’s father, Sunrise Co. founder William Bone, has been a model, he said.
“My father has been very active in a lot of stuff,” he said.
At one point, William Bone was chairman of World Vision Inc., a group that tackles poverty.
But as a kid, Bone said his dad’s philanthropic work didn’t resonate with him. He has two young children and wants to get them involved as early as possible.
“One of the things I would do differently is involve my kids more,” Randall Bone said. “My hope is that it will be a natural thing for my kids.”
