About the Charles L. Shor Foundation
Our Mission
The Charles L. Shor Foundation invests in human potential, data-driven insight, education, employment pathways, and community initiatives to help individuals and families overcome barriers, build stability, and live full, thriving lives.
Our Areas of Focus
The Charles L. Shor Foundation focuses its time and investments in two areas:
Rebuilding the Middle Class
The Foundation is heavily invested in rebuilding the American middle class. Using data driven insights from our research arm, Blue Collar Dollar Institute (BCDI), we help individuals enter, sustain, and advance within the middle class through skilled trades, durable manufacturing careers, and practical economic mobility pathways. We accomplish this through scholarships, emergency support, hands-on learning, credentialing, and robust employment pipelines that connect education and training directly to durable jobs, long-term stability, and continued upskilling.
Community
Inspired by the vision of Founder Charles Shor, and his daughters Marissa and Caroline Shor, the Foundation invests in local organizations focused on Jewish causes, inner-city initiatives, animal welfare, abuse prevention and mental health. We believe that together, we can revitalize our region.
Founder story
Charlie Shor’s life has been defined by resilience, enterprise, and a deep belief that philanthropy can empower individuals to achieve greatness.
As the former President and CEO of Duro Bag Manufacturing, the world’s largest paper bag manufacturing company, Charlie saw first-hand the positive impact of blue-collar jobs on American families. He understands the value of hard work and believes in the importance of skilled trades, and the role that durable jobs play in building and sustaining the American middle class.
While a successful businessman, Charlie’s personal life has been shaped by profound challenges. He has lived with epilepsy throughout his life, and his seizures intensified following a traumatic kidnapping and the pressures of leading Duro Bag. As a result of his experiences, Charlie understands how health challenges can affect not only physical well-being, but also independence, family life, emotional stability, education, and work. Because of this, Charlie also founded Epilepsy Wellness Advocates (“EWA.”)
Charlie’s philanthropic priorities reflect his family, faith, community, and personal commitments. His family’s heritage, and his children’s legacy, both play a significant role in shaping his vision for impact.
The Charles L. Shor Foundation is dedicated to improving lives through strategic investment in health, education, and economic opportunity. Rooted in a long legacy of philanthropy, the Foundation partners with organizations that advance neurological wellness, strengthen the middle class, and expand pathways to meaningful, sustainable futures. Our work supports research, community programs, and innovative approaches that address both individual needs and systemic challenges.
Guided by a commitment to compassion, curiosity, and practical impact, the Foundation focuses on initiatives that generate evidence-based insights and real-world results. We collaborate with medical institutions, community nonprofits, research partners, and educational organizations to identify solutions that create long-term change. Through this work, the Foundation continues to honor its founding values—supporting resilience, advancing knowledge, and helping communities thrive.