Conrad N. Hilton, founder of Hilton Hotels, established the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation in 1944. Mr. Hilton bequeathed virtually his entire estate to the Foundation with a charge to relieve the suffering of disadvantaged and vulnerable people throughout the world. Following his father’s example, Barron Hilton has committed the bulk of his personal fortune to the Foundation as well. The Foundation has awarded over $1 billion in grants to date.

The Foundation identifies critical societal needs and supports strategic initiatives of providing safe water, ending chronic homelessness, preventing substance abuse, helping children affected by HIV/AIDS, helping youth transition out of foster care and supporting Catholic Sisters. The Foundation also focuses on program areas of confronting vision loss, overcoming multiple sclerosis, responding to natural disasters, nurturing Catholic schools and supporting hospitality education.

On October 29, 2012, the Foundation's Los Angeles offices will relocate to a new home in Agoura Hills, at 30440 Agoura Road, at the foot of Ladyface Mountain!

The initial office structure and maintenance building total 23,000 sq ft. Eventually there will be four buildings totaling over 90,000 sq ft, on 12 acres of the 70-acre site.

The new Foundation headquarters building meets LEED platinum standards. It has a unique chimney system that heats and cools the building naturally through a series of 17 chimneys and lets it flow into the building passively, without the assistance of fans. Warm air is cooled before flowing into the building and cold air is heated by rooftop solar-heated water, reducing the need for electricity. The air will be 100% fresh, not recirculated.

This is one GREEN building! The building is expected to achieve "net zero energy," meaning 100% of electrical energy needs will come from on-site solar panels.

The building will have a green roof (literally covered with native plants) for insulation and rain water capture. Also, the building is narrow, to ensure that every room receives its share of natural daylight, reducing the need for artificial light and energy use. Other features include use of reclaimed water both outside/inside, automated southwest exterior system that will control the glare of the sun and the need for heating, extensive use of recycled building materials, natural drainage channels that will collect storm water runoff and much more. This building sounds amazing.

To learn more about the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, visit www.hiltonfoundation.org. For more about the spectacular new Agoura Hills campus, visit www.hiltonfoundation.org/newcampus. And they are already bring new jobs to our area! Check out opportunities at www.hiltonfoundation.org/about/careers.