About
SHAREWELL
SHAREWELL exists to transform meaningful ideas into lasting institutions that serve
the public good.
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For more than three decades, our work has been guided by a simple belief: when children, families, and communities are given meaningful opportunities to learn, create, connect, and care for one another, stronger communities follow. That belief has shaped every program, every partnership, and every organization we’ve helped build—and it continues to guide us today.
Where It Began
Our story began in 1991 with My Jewish Discovery Place, a modest children’s play space founded on the belief that play could be a powerful catalyst for learning and human connection. As that simple idea resonated with more families, it grew into the Zimmer Children’s Museum, where generations of children discovered the joy of learning through hands-on play, creativity, and exploration. What began as a small community initiative became one of Los Angeles’ most beloved children’s museums, inspiring curiosity and connection for hundreds of thousands of families over the decades.
As our vision expanded, so did the ways we served our community. We launched youTHink to empower middle and high school students through creativity, leadership, civic engagement, and real-world learning experiences beyond the museum walls. The opening of Cayton Children’s Museum marked another transformative chapter, reimagining what a children’s museum could be for a new generation. Together, these milestones laid the foundation for ShareWell—a nonprofit dedicated to creating opportunities that help children, families, and communities thrive.
Growing the Vision
With each new chapter came a broader understanding of what lasting impact requires. Meaningful change isn’t created by programs alone—it grows through thoughtful leadership, strong partnerships, and long-term stewardship. As our work expanded beyond a single museum, so did our opportunity to support new ideas, strengthen organizations, and create experiences that enrich lives in different ways.
Over time, it became clear that the greatest impact wasn’t simply in creating successful programs—it was in building organizations capable of serving their communities for generations. That realization laid the foundation for what SHAREWELL would become.
SHAREWELL Today
Today, SHAREWELL serves as the nonprofit organization behind Cayton Children’s Museum, GROW/WILD, and a growing family of mission-driven initiatives. We provide the strategic leadership, operational support, and long-term stewardship that allow each organization to thrive while remaining united by a shared purpose: enriching families, strengthening communities, and caring for
the environment.
Each initiative has its own mission, expertise, and identity. Together, they form a connected ecosystem dedicated to expanding opportunity through education, culture, environmental learning, and community engagement—creating lasting public benefit across Los Angeles.
Looking Forward
The next chapter of SHAREWELL is about growth with purpose. As we strengthen the institutions already entrusted to our care, we will continue cultivating new ideas, initiatives, and partnerships that have the potential to create lasting public benefit. Over time, our vision is to build a mission-driven network of organizations that learn from one another, support one another, and together create a greater impact than any one initiative could achieve alone.
If you’re exploring a new initiative, interested in a strategic partnership,
or would like to learn how SHAREWELL can help bring your meaningful ideas to life, we’d love to hear from you.