Media Relations

About the Foundation

The Heckscher Foundation was founded in 1921 to promote the welfare of children in the State of New York and elsewhere throughout the United States. Its history is a multifaceted story involving three principal participants: Charles August Heckscher (1848-1941), a financial titan and visionary who believed that wealth should be shared with others less fortunate, Arthur Smadbeck (1887 - 1977), a friend and fellow philanthropist who constructed an endowment for the Foundation and made possible its emergence as a major benefactor, and Ruth Smadbeck (1900-1986), who ran the Foundation for over 50 years. Today the Heckscher Foundation provides monetary support for youth-serving organizations in the fields of education, family services, job training, child welfare, health and recreation.

The primary aim of the Heckscher Foundation’s grantmaking is to “level the playing field” for needy youth by providing access to education and the varied experiences that make for a richer, forward-reaching life. It seeks to identify under-funded issues or projects that can provide widespread benefit, generate other engagement and funding, and then help leverage that interest to scale. The Foundation also seeks to incubate ideas and initiatives that will lead to high-impact services and improved opportunities.

For Interviews Contact:

Peter Sloane
Chairman of the Board
212-701-3321

Peter was elected Chairman of the Board in 1996. Since 1997, Foundation assets have increased from $37 million to well over $300 million. Deeply committed to enhancing educational opportunities for young people in New York and elsewhere, Peter has a long history in senior management capacities in non-profit organizations dedicated to nurturing youth of diverse backgrounds. He is a litigation and co-administrative partner at Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP.

Julia Bator
Senior Program Officer
212-744-0190
JBator@HeckscherFoundation.org

Julia joined the Foundation in 2005. Previously, she excelled in senior capacities in a number of private and public charities. Julia was the Executive Director of the Fund for Public Advocacy from January, 2003. She served as Director of Education for the City Parks Foundation from September 2000- December 2002 and was the Founding Director of the Chancellor’s Literacy Campaign from May, 1997-November, 1999. She has also been a public school teacher and served on the Staff of The White House from August 1994-August 1996. Since joining the Foundation, Julia has initiated and oversees many significant projects and initiatives.