# Hobson/Lucas Family Foundation

Hobson/Lucas Family Foundation is an Endowment / Foundation based in San Rafael, United States.

## Overview

- **Organization type:** Endowment / Foundation
- **Headquarters:** San Rafael, United States
- **Region:** North America
- **Address:** PO Box 2009, San Rafael, CA, United States
- **Founded:** 2005
- **Assets under management:** Undisclosed

## Regulatory record

- **Reports private funds:** No

## About

George Lucas and Mellody Hobson founded the Hobson/Lucas Family Foundation in 2005 as a private grantmaking entity. Lucas built Lucasfilm before its sale to Disney; Hobson leads Ariel Investments. The foundation channels distributions into arts and culture, education, and human services. Grantmaking covers multiple asset classes including direct equity positions, real estate holdings, and art collections. Confirmed holdings include ForceMetrics and a minority stake in the Denver Broncos through the Walton-Penner group. Geographic reach centers on the United States with additional activity in Brazil via public equity positions and Italy through film preservation events. The foundation also maintains Project Black exposure via Ariel Alternatives. The foundation reports an estimated asset base that supports annual giving in the tens of millions. It operates from San Rafael, California with no disclosed additional offices. Adjacent vehicles include the George Lucas Educational Foundation, established in 1991. In January 2023 the foundation sponsored Il Cinema Ritrovato in Bologna for film preservation work. The foundation maintains a distinct governance layer through separate legal entities for real assets such as Lanamla LLC and the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art. This architecture isolates philanthropic capital from the principals' operating businesses and personal holdings while allowing direct ownership of non-traditional assets including the Norman Rockwell collection and multiple California properties.

## Sectors

- Philanthropy
- Arts
- Education

## People

- George Lucas — Co-founder and President
- Mellody Hobson — Co-founder and Vice President

## Questions

### Who runs investment decisions at Hobson/Lucas Family Foundation?

George Lucas serves as co-founder and president. Mellody Hobson serves as co-founder and vice president. Michael Rider acts as treasurer and manages related real estate entities.

### Does Hobson/Lucas Family Foundation participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?

The foundation holds direct equity positions in operating companies and startups. It also maintains exposure through Ariel Alternatives vehicles including Project Black.

### What investment stages does Hobson/Lucas Family Foundation typically target?

The foundation targets venture-stage companies alongside established operating businesses and real assets. Holdings include both early-stage names such as ForceMetrics and mature positions such as the Denver Broncos stake.

### How is Hobson/Lucas Family Foundation related to Ariel Investments?

Mellody Hobson serves as president and co-CEO of Ariel Investments. The foundation holds limited partner exposure to Ariel Alternatives funds including Project Black.

### What is Hobson/Lucas Family Foundation's known posture on co-investments alongside external GPs?

The foundation has participated in co-investments through Project Black alongside other limited partners. It also holds direct ownership in Angel Studios and ForceMetrics.

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Last updated: 2026-07-06T00:34:27.072Z

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