Milton J. Mosk

[Originally published in CPMC Foundation’s newsletter Prime Scene, November 2009]

A Legacy Gift That Makes Giving Possible for A Grateful Patient

Although San Francisco philanthropist Milton J. Mosk retired from a demanding family business in 1976, he has been anything but “retired” since that time.

A tireless supporter of a vast array of local endeavors, Milton is a native San Franciscan who is vitally engaged in the life of his city, including Larkin Street Youth Services, Meals on Wheels and all manner of artistic and cultural offerings for which he is an enthusiastic advocate. California Pacific Medical Center Foundation has been a grateful recipient of his generous spirit for more than 20 years.

Milton credits a beloved aunt—his “favorite person in the world”—with his devotion to and support of the arts in San Francisco. An “extraordinary woman” who was “full of life,” she was both family member and lifelong friend, introducing him to the ballet, the opera and the theater.

During her final years, problems with her eyes and the subsequent deterioration of her vision diminished the quality of her life. In 2008, in honor of his aunt and her lasting influence in his life, Milton established a charitable gift annuity to benefit CPMC’s Ophthalmology Department.

Early in 2009, Milton arranged for a second charitable gift annuity, this one to benefit CPMC’s Community Health Resource Center. His initial visit to the Center was for a blood pressure screening. While there, he was impressed with the variety of classes, seminars and support groups that were available. When he learned recently that some services might be reduced, he thought, “Why not give to help out?”

Regarding his generous gifts to California Pacific, Milton explains: “I’ve been very fortunate and have made some good investments. It’s never been my goal to be the richest one in the cemetery. This is one way I can help other people.”

Milton finds the charitable gift annuity an ideal way to give: Exchanging cash or securities for a current income tax deduction and a fixed annual payment means everybody benefits. “The gift annuity makes giving possible,” he says, “and giving makes me feel good because I know I’m helping others.”