The Heckscher Foundation for Children

The Heckscher Foundation for Children
Founded 1921
Founder Charles August Heckscher
Type Private Foundation
Focus Child welfare: arts, education & academic support, social services, health, recreation, workforce development, capacity building & technical assistance
Area served
New York City / metro area
Method Grants
Key people
(Peter) Howard Sloane, Chairman and CEO
Ourania Vokolos-Zias, Vice President of Finance and Administration
Heather Sutton, Senior Program Officer
Endowment $304,058,317(2015)
Mission Level the playing field for needy youth
Website heckscherfoundation.org

The Heckscher Foundation for Children is a New York City-focused private foundation that provides grants to underserved New York City youth. Often, the Foundation's grant giving takes the form of program support, capacity-building, capital projects and general operating support.

Mission

The Heckscher Foundation directs its resources to "level the playing field" for needy youth by providing access to education, job training, social services and experiences that make for a richer, more forward-reaching life.

History

The Heckscher Foundation for Children was founded in 1921 by German-born industrialist, financier and philanthropist August Heckscher. Responding to a request for a donation for the purchase of a bus by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, August Heckscher donated a Manhattan property on Fifth Avenue from 104th to 105th Street that opened as The Heckscher Foundation for Children in 1922 and provided housing for children and community activities.[1]

However, the Great Depression of the 1930s resulted in the deterioration of the Foundation's assets to the point of near collapse. August Heckscher recruited Arthur Smadbeck and Ruth Smadbeck, friends and financial equals [2] who shared his dedication to public service to help rebuild the Foundation.

Ruth Smadbeck began as a volunteer in the 1930s and ran the Foundation for over 50 years, including its programs of dance, orchestra, exercise, swimming, the purchase and distribution of necessities for indigent children, a kindergarten, a theater, a craft room, a senior lounge, a photography group, a library, and a thrift shop. The Communications and Learning Center at Marymount Manhattan College is named for Ruth Smadbeck.[3]

At August Heckscher's death in 1941, Foundation income was such that no distributions to charity were possible. From 1941 until his death in 1977, Arthur Smadbeck donated his time and efforts to disposing of losing Foundation assets, consolidating others and creating a profitable platform on which he positioned the Foundation to support major outside charitable efforts. At Ruth Smadbeck's death in 1986,[4] distributions to charity had grown to $1,169,219 and assets had grown to $22,072,773. Renowned real estate entrepreneur and civic leader Louis Smadbeck became Chairman of the Foundation in 1986, and continued in this capacity until his death in 1992.[5] Virginia Sloane was elected President in 1986, and presided over the Foundation's philanthropic projects for some 25 years.[6][7] In 2012, she became President Emeritus. She died at the age of 91 on August 24, 2014.[8][9]

In 1997, a new generation assumed leadership roles. Howard Sloane[10][11] became Chairman and CEO and continues to preside over the Foundation's projects and programming.

Funding approaches

The modern day Foundation practices catalytic giving, identifying and supporting projects with potential for wide ranging applications, and helps to leverage such programs to scale. The Foundation also unites not for profits with for profits and the public sector to support common goals in strategic projects, and continues to provide grants for projects that seek to solve specific problems, such as helping New York City's middle school students make informed choices about which high schools to attend. The Heckscher Foundation also operates programs of its own and is a well-known backer of public and parks and recreational facilities in New York.

Grantees

The Heckscher Foundation supports, or has supported: Boy Scouts of America, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Central Park Conservancy, Citizens' Committee for Children, Citizen Schools, Community Service Society of New York, Coalition for the Homeless, Covenant House, De La Salle Academy, The Doe Fund, The Fresh Air Fund, Girls Educational and Mentoring Services, Henry Street Settlement, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Knowledge Is Power Program, Lincoln Center Theater, The Little Orchestra Society, Miami Art Museum, National Dance Institute, NPower, New York City Center, New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, The New York Pops, Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow, The Public Theater, Prep for Prep, Reading Partners, Seedco, Success Charter Network, Taproot Foundation, Teach for America, Tipping Point Community, and Wounded Warrior Project.

Strategic philanthropy projects

The foundation concentrates on funding projects in education/academia, arts, health and recreation, social services, workforce development and capacity building and training for the benefit of children and young people.

Social services

Community-focused projects in New York City

Education and academic support

Workforce development and job training

Capacity building

Parks and recreation

The Heckscher Foundation has a long history of funding development and reconstruction of New York’s public parks and gardens, especially those serving youth.[50]

Arts

References

  1. building Architecture and Building, Volume 54 Check |url= value (help).
  2. Bolinas And Stinson Beach: California - Phil Frank, Kendrick Rand, Tamae Agnoli - Google Books. Books.google.com. 2005-04-30. Retrieved 2012-11-11.
  3. "Ruth Smadbeck Communication and Learning Center - Marymount Manhattan College". Mmm.edu. Retrieved 2012-11-11.
  4. "Ruth Smadbeck". NYTimes.com. 1986-03-08. Retrieved 2012-11-11.
  5. WOLFGANG SAXONPublished: October 09, 1992 (1992-10-09). "Louis Smadbeck, Real-Estate Executive, Dies at 72 - New York Times". Nytimes.com. Retrieved 2012-11-11.
  6. "Media Advisories : NYC Parks". Nycgovparks.org. 2007-05-11. Retrieved 2012-11-11.
  7. "Health Career Opportunity Program | Rusk Medical Education". Med.nyu.edu. Retrieved 2012-11-11.
  8. "She tap danced and gave away millions to children". The Journal News. November 3, 2014. Retrieved January 5, 2015.
  9. "Virginia Sloane, 91, Of Larchmont, Philanthropist And Civic Leader". The Mamaroneck & Larchmont Daily Voice. August 27, 2014. Retrieved January 5, 2015.
  10. "Legal-Aid". Legal-Aid. 2007-01-16. Retrieved 2012-11-11.
  11. "Howard (Peter) G. Sloane - Partner - - Howard (Peter) Sloane - Corporate Governance & Investigations - Crisis Advisory & Management - Litigation - Pro Bono - Lawyer - Attorney - Legal - Law". Cahill.com. Retrieved 2012-11-11.
  12. Ochs, Alyssa. "Heckscher Foundation for Children Fights Obesity with Healthy Recipes". Inside Philanthropy. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
  13. "Kickin Nutrition: Research". Retrieved January 12, 2015.
  14. Lance Rogoff, Natasha (22 September 2015). "Revolutionizing Food Education for the Digital Age". Huffington Post. Retrieved 20 December 2015.
  15. Leonhardt, David (October 28, 2014). "A New Push to Get Low-Income Students Through College". The New York Times. Retrieved January 5, 2015.
  16. Adler, Paul. "The App That Will Help Millennials Understand Their Healthcare Options". 914INComing. Retrieved December 15, 2015.
  17. "GEMS: Our Funders". Retrieved January 15, 2015.
  18. "New York City Department of Education".
  19. Kate Taylor. "New York Public Schools Fund, Under Mayor de Blasio, Struggles to Secure Donations". The New York Times. Retrieved May 13, 2015.
  20. "New York City Department of Education: Schools Chancellor Walcott, Joined by Federal and City Agencies and Non-Profits, Encourages Families to Take Advantage of the Free Summer Meals Program for Children 18 Years and Younger".
  21. "Soothing Growing Pains With Matching Grants". CityLimits.org. 2007-08-06. Retrieved 2012-11-11.
  22. "FEGS - The Academy - Report 2010" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-11-11.
  23. "Heckscher Report: Serving those who Serve: Military Families and Children" (PDF).
  24. Banjo, Shelly (2011-02-09). "Helping to Spread Micro Grants - WSJ.com". Online.wsj.com. Retrieved 2012-11-11.
  25. "New York Needs You Annual Report 2011" (PDF).
  26. "Citizens Committee for New york City | Our Supporters". Retrieved 10 May 2014.
  27. "New Visions for Public Schools: Media Center Campus Libraries".
  28. "Drive Brings Thousands of Instruments for Aspiring Musicians in Public Schools". The New York Times. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
  29. "WQXR Instrument Drive". Retrieved January 4, 2015.
  30. "Annual Meeting & Awards for Excellence - Greater Hudson Heritage Network". Greaterhudson.org. 2012-09-28. Retrieved 2012-11-11.
  31. "President Obama Recognizes Blue Engine as High Impact National Service Startup". May 6, 2013. Retrieved January 16, 2015.
  32. "Tools to get you through the NYC high school admissions process". July 12, 2015. Retrieved July 14, 2015.
  33. "The Urban Assembly: Our Donors".
  34. "Heckscher Foundation for Children Grants for Higher Education". Inside Philanthropy. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
  35. "QuestBridge: Our Donors". Retrieved 10 May 2014.
  36. "Heckscher Foundation for Children: Grants for Higher Education - Fundraising for Higher Education | Grants - Inside Philanthropy". Inside Philanthropy. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
  37. Jim Carlton. "Venture Capitalists Help Connect Low-Income Students With Elite Colleges". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 13 May 2015.
  38. "Teach For America: Our Donors". Retrieved 10 May 2014.
  39. "CollegeSpring: Our Donors".
  40. Litvak, Ed (2014-03-24). "Students Graduate From Bicycle Skills Academy at Henry Street Settlement". The Lo-Down. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
  41. "The next generation of Pharmacy Technicians". Retrieved 10 May 2014.
  42. "Youth Advancing in the Workplace". Retrieved January 16, 2015.
  43. "Benchwarmers, or Change Makers". BoardSource. October 27, 2014. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
  44. Grayce, Melanie (2012-02-28). "M&A: Not Just for the Corporate Set - WSJ.com". Online.wsj.com. Retrieved 2012-11-11.
  45. "SeaChange Capital Partners Announces the Launch of NYMAC, the New York Merger, Acquisition, and Collaboration Fund". PR Newswire. February 28, 2012. Retrieved January 15, 2015.
  46. "SeaChange Capital Partners Announces New Fund to Make Program-Related Investments in New York City". PR Newswire. November 21, 2014. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
  47. "‘Investment Club’ of Foundations Pays Off for Nonprofits". The Chronicle of Philanthropy. June 1, 2015. Retrieved June 10, 2015.
  48. "Exalt Youth".
  49. "Bottom Line".
  50. "De Blasio Parks Stance Unsettles Some". The Wall Street Journal. October 13, 2013. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
  51. "City of New York Parks & Recreation Central Park Highlights: Heckscher Playground".
  52. "Attractions: Ruth and Arthur Smadbeck Heckscher East Playground". The Official Website of New York City's Central Park. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
  53. "City of New York Parks & Recreation Central Park Highlights Asser Levy".
  54. "City of New York Parks & Recreation: Central Park News W. 110th Street".
  55. "Official Website of Central Park".
  56. "City of New York Parks & Recreation Press Releases".
  57. "Heckscher Foundation Children’s Garden | GrowNYC". Cenyc.org. 2007-09-25. Retrieved 2012-11-11.
  58. "The Heckscher Foundation Children's Garden". Nyrp.org. Retrieved 2012-11-11.
  59. Dwyer, Jim (2012-06-19). "Parks Department Offers Swimming Lessons for Second Graders". New York City: NYTimes.com. Retrieved 2012-11-11.
  60. Hirschman, Bill (September 22, 2015). "Breaking News: Lou Tyrrell Opens New Professional Company At Florida Atlantic U.". Florida Theater on Stage.
  61. "FAU creates Theatre Lab". southflorida.com. September 23, 2015. Retrieved December 21, 2015.
  62. "The College of Arts and Letters establishes professional resident theater company". University Press. October 8, 2015. Retrieved December 21, 2015.
  63. "FAU Launches “Theatre Lab,” The Professional Resident Company On Campus". September 22, 2015. Retrieved December 21, 2015.
  64. "WQXR Instrument Drive". Retrieved January 16, 2015.
  65. "Drive Brings Thousands of Instruments for Aspiring Musicians in Public Schools". New York Times. November 20, 2014. Retrieved January 16, 2015.
  66. "Funders". Urban Arts Partnership. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
  67. Spears, Dorothy. "Museums See an Opening in Education". The New York Times.

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Monday, December 21, 2015. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.