A family legacy of supporting democracy, the environment, New York City, and the arts

beginnings

In 1959, using proceeds from Publishers Clearing House, a business the family started in their basement, Joyce Mertz and her parents, LuEsther and Harold, established The Mertz Foundation.

Joyce married Robert W. Gilmore in June of 1964. Guests at the wedding included the peace activist A.J. Muste, Norman Thomas, long-time socialist leader and perennial presidential candidate, the rising young radical Michael Harrington, and the behind-the-scenes organizer of the 1963 March on Washington, Bayard Rustin, Robert’s close friend. As the couple began managing the Foundation’s operations, this circle of associates influenced the tone and direction of the Foundation’s funding. The Foundation’s early interests included human and civil rights, protection of the environment, the arts, and the City of New York.

When Joyce died in 1974, her will provided an endowment for the Foundation, and Robert changed the name to the Joyce Mertz Gilmore Foundation in her honor and memory. Because of Joyce’s love of dance, LuEsther provided the support to create The Joyce Theater on Eighth Avenue and 19th Street in memory of her daughter.

Robert later remarried, and upon his death his wife Elizabeth donated a generous portion of his estate to the Foundation. Elizabeth conscientiously served as Vice Chairman of the Board until 2011. In 2002, the Board of Directors renamed the Foundation again, to Mertz Gilmore Foundation, to honor both Robert and Joyce.

IN TRANSITION

In 1962, the Mertz family purchased No. 218 East Eighteenth Street, a four-story, brick-fronted Italianate row house in the Gramercy Park Neighborhood, built in 1857 by John Foster. Bayard Rustin was named the first non-family board member in 1975, and the Foundation transitioned to a professionally staffed private foundation in the mid-1980’s. The Foundation remained true to the founding family’s values, interests, and views on philanthropy–to find effective organizations and leaders working within long standing funding interests and provide them funds to support their work.

The Foundation’s history is one of supporting progressive ideas, often at early stages of idea acceptance. It funded global warming education efforts as early as 1984 and emergency AIDS-response grants soon thereafter; incorporated LGBT and immigrant rights into its human rights program in 1987; and granted equally to Israeli and Palestinian human rights groups following the Oslo Accords.

Today

The Foundation seeks to maintain its longstanding commitment to being field responsive risk-takers and to partnering and collaborating with grantees, like-minded foundations, and individual donors. In 2018, the Foundation began to reflect more deeply about, and publicly define itself and its funding in terms of justice and equity.

The Board and staff are engaging in learning opportunities with grantees, consultants, and fellow philanthropists. In all areas of its funding—Democracy, Climate Change, New York City Communities, and Dance—the Foundation seeks to lift up the voices of marginalized people and their allies in seeking racial, economic, environmental, and gender justice as crucial components of maintaining vibrant communities and a sustainable environment.