History

Our History

The Water Buffalo Club (WBC) was born in 1989 when a bunch of guys got together and decided to create a group that was fun, social, and supportive of needy kids and organizations that often fell “under the radar screen” of traditional giving.  We chose the name Water Buffalo Club as something that didn’t sound too serious and a name that people would remember.  And no, we’re not part of the Flintstones and we don’t wear hats with horns. Since 1989, we have had over 300 different members (approximately 85 members per year) and provided over $4,500,000 of support to over 300 organizations.

Annually WBC members select different organizations to support with a “Silver Bullet” grant. These grants will fund capital expenditures such as a bus, a van, computers, books, musical instruments, sports equipment, or a food trailer, to name a few.   Interested organizations fill out our online WBC grant application form, are vetted by our Charity Selection Committee, and if selected, present in front of the WBC membership.

In addition to our grants program, the WBC supports several initiatives that directly improve the lives of children and the communities they live in.  For example, we have refurbished over 30 Title 1 elementary school libraries, donated 30 “Little Libraries” to various law enforcement agency lobbies, provided meals to thousands of families during the holidays and funded the purchase of over a hundred thousand dollars of clothing for foster youth.

Finally, the WBC is committed to taking kids out of their everyday environment by sponsoring fabulous field trips that expose them to the bigger world.  Our field trips provide an opportunity for our members to engage with these children on a more personal level, showing these kids that there are people who genuinely care about their well-being. Whether it’s to the Santa Monica Pier, the Griffith Park Observatory, or Dodger Stadium, we recognize the importance of connecting with these wonderful youngsters in a way that is meaningful to them and encourages them to be curious about the bigger world.

Our motto is “Big Kids Helping Little Kids” and this is something we are committed to doing 365 days a year!