Film Producer Gives $10-Million to Research on Kids’ Sports Concussions

How much: $10-million

Who got it: The University of California at Los Angeles, David Geffen School of Medicine

Who gave it: Steve Tisch, a film producer in Los Angeles and co-owner and chairman of the New York Giants professional football team. His family founded the Loews Corporation, a hotel, insurance, and oil-drilling company, in New York.

Where the money will go: To the medical school’s BrainSport Program, which will study ways to diagnose, prevent, and treat sports concussions, especially in young athletes

Donor’s connection to cause: Mr. Tisch has two children who play contact sports. His 14-year-old daughter is a lacrosse player who suffered a mild concussion during a game.

How the gift came about: Neil Martin, chairman of neurosurgery at the medical school, is a good friend of Mr. Tisch’s, whom the university approached a few months ago about making a gift to the program. Mr. Tisch says that after a formal presentation about a month ago, he decided fairly soon to give the requested amount.

Why he gave: Mr. Tisch hopes other NFL team owners will give to the program, and he would also like to see parents become less anxious about allowing their children to play sports. “Kids should be encouraged to play team sports,” he says. “Parents have become more reluctant to let them play contact sports, and what they need is education and empowerment.”