Todd Krim: The Philanthropic Powerhouse Connecting Celebrities and Causes

In today’s interview, we have the honor of speaking with Todd Krim, a distinguished figure known as “Mr. Charity”. Todd’s transition from a successful legal career to philanthropy has left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry.

As President & CEO of The Krim Group, he has facilitated numerous significant connections between charities and celebrities.

With a substantial portfolio of accomplishments, Todd has orchestrated impactful charity events and worked with UN agencies, high-net-worth individuals, foundations, and international non-profits. His recent endeavor, the Dream Day Foundation, focuses on bringing music programs and recording studios to refugee camps.

Todd’s philanthropic influence extends to conferences, where he shares valuable insights, and he has been featured in major media outlets. We are privileged to gain insights into Todd’s remarkable journey and his ongoing commitment to philanthropy.

Todd Krim by Global Networker. Monaco, 2023

Todd, please tell us how did you get into charity? As we know you are a lawyer, so you are working with prominent clients among big families.

Well, basically, I moved to L.A in 1995 to start practicing law. I was a lawyer there for about 15 years, and I was still practicing law while I started to donate my time and volunteer and produce events for non-profits. And so I started to get involved in philanthropy and charity work while still practicing law. The benefit of that was I didn’t have to be paid to do charity work.  It was a way for me to give back, make a difference in a bigger way, in a more meaningful way, and do something other than just be a lawyer all day.  It was also a fun change of pace for me. I was working in an office all day, you know, 12 hours a day. So it’s a great way to do something really different.

You work with big families having privileged access to those people. Your network makes the biggest asset to you, right?

Well, I would say yes. I can provide value not just to families and wealthy individuals who want to make a difference, but also to celebrities and even to non-profits. A lot of my clients are also NGOs that do great work, but don’t know how to communicate the work that they do, so I also can help them in that regard. I kind of have done it all. I have my own non-profit, so I know what it takes to run a non-profit organization. I’ve advised individuals, families, celebrities. And that’s why they call me “Mr. Charity,” I’ve been doing it for over 20 years now.

At the Lotus House Shelter for women and children. Donations by Ford Models, Kiki on the River and The Krim Group. May 2022

When it comes to advising your clients, do you find that everybody want to communicate about their charity initiatives?

I think it really comes down to a personal choice. Everyone has their own philosophy. There are people that like to donate and give money and provide support anonymously, and I completely respect that and will honor the person’s wishes. And then there’s other people who want to be very public about it, either because they’re proud of it or more importantly, I think it sets an example because if no one knows about it, how are you inspiring other people to do it?

It could also be part of a strategy, especially in terms of your brand or your company’s brand, to be involved in charity.

Absolutely. We use the terms charity and philanthropy pretty loosely, but it’s a whole industry unto itself, and there are so many nuances to it. Every situation is unique, and you have to look at each of the parties separately, whether it’s an individual, a company, or a family. My approach is different for every single client because every client is unique.

Do you work with people in the Middle East?

Yes, I do a lot of work in the Middle East. For example, I recently started a foundation that is bringing music to refugees around the world, initially in Jordan. We funded a music program and built a state-of-the-art recording studio in the largest Syrian refugee camp in the world, with 40,000 children. Celebrities like Ellie Goulding have also been involved. Besides that, I partnered with Zuhair Murad, the Lebanese fashion designer, after the explosion in Beirut in August 2020, raising over half a million dollars for a Lebanese humanitarian organization. We jointly got over 30 celebrities involved in the campaign.

I’ve also worked with the UAE and helped produce an event that takes place in Ras Al Khaimah. I’ve also worked in Dubai, so I work around the world.

With Murad Zuhair in Paris

What is the place where you feel at home, New York, or do you have some other locations on this planet where you love staying?

I lived in LA for 25 years. Now I live in Miami, but the place where I feel at home is probably in Europe. I lived in London and studied there. I could see myself living in London, Paris, or Lisbon. I’m usually in Europe once every six weeks.

Todd Krim by Global Networker. Monaco, 2023

The world is all about globalization, and there are some cities which we can call globalized cities. Do you consider yourself as one of those people who connect these global destinations?

Oh, yeah, definitely. I’m always bouncing around between LA, New York, London, Paris, Dubai, Monaco. But what I’d like to see is that it’s not just people like us going to all these global cities, but I want the whole world to view each other as global citizens. I still feel like on a local level, there’s still so much ignorance and disconnectedness between people.

What are the projects you are working on right now? What can we expect in the near future?

The Dream Day Foundation is a big focus of mine. I’m doing a lot of work in the environment on ocean conservation and raising awareness of the ocean plastic pollution crisis. AI is also an interesting field, and I think it could help address many of the issues we’re facing. I have various events and projects I’m involved in, from charity dinners to awareness campaigns. It’s never boring, and I love my job because I get to work with people using their platforms to make a difference and help others.

Global Citizen Forum in Ras Al Khaimah. The UAE, 2022

Do you have a project or an event that really stays in your heart, something that made you understand that this is the life path you want to take?

I would say when I took Zendaya to South Africa to learn about the HIV/AIDS crisis. We spent a week with the Mandela family, meeting people impacted by HIV and AIDS and working to educate the public and help those affected. It was inspiring to see how Zendaya interacted with everyone. Another memorable experience was taking Kylie Jenner and her mom Kris to Peru to see the impact of their donations to Smile Train, an organization that helps children with cleft lips and palates. These experiences are what make my work fulfilling and meaningful.

Kylie Jenner & Kris Jenner joining Smile Train initiative in Peru