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Madeline Lee

Executive Director
New York Foundation

On March 4th, Madeline Lee met for dinner with the Revson Fellows to discuss the work of the New York Foundation and the challenges facing foundations in the current economic climate, and after 9/11. The discussion also focused on the role of the U.S. in the war on Iraq, and what grassroots groups could do to make their voices heard and organize stronger coalitions around issues of global significance. Madeline Lee has recently retired from her position as Executive Director of the New York Foundation, one of the country's oldest foundations, considered a model of responsive and innovative philanthropy. The Foundation grants more than $5 million annually to projects in the New York City area. The grants program refocused under her leadership, emphasizing support of community-based organizations in poor neighborhoods as a means to empower the disadvantaged populations of the city. Since 1978 when she began her tenure, the grants budget increased five-fold, the staff doubled and the Foundation made its first program-related loans and investments. She also developed an extensive program of technical assistance for grantees in order to ensure their continuity and competitiveness, and to increase the impact of their work by encouraging advocacy and coalition building. Other pioneer work includes an ongoing program in which Trustees and grantees meet to review and reflect on the Foundation's work and the city's needs. Most recently, the Foundation began a program for its grantees called "The Organizers' Expense Account." Madeline Lee was the driving force behind the development of a New York area common application form, now used by more than 50 funders. She estimates that she has examined more than 1000 non-profit organizations at every stage of their development, including direct management of grants to several hundred of them. She has close knowledge of the issues and the needs of organizations working in the full range of non-profit urban activity. This experience has been augmented by service on more than a dozen boards of nonprofit organizations working locally, nationally and internationally. Ms. Lee's prior experience includes directing the National Women's Agenda project, and founding and directing an alternative school in Manhattan. She holds a Master of Arts degree from Harvard's Graduate School of Education and is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Radcliffe College. She is a frequent speaker on grantmaking and fundraising issues, women's issues, and urban problems. Ms. Lee has received numerous awards, most recently the Woman of Achievement Award from Women in Development, as well as the Woman of Valor Award from Jewish Fund for Justice. She is a member of the Society for the Advancement of Judaism in New York City. A New York City resident, she is married to Martin Horwitz, Director of the Jewish Community Fund in Russia and Ukraine. She has 2 children, 1 grandchild.

The information listed above was provided at the time of the speaker's visit and may no longer be current.