A Message from our President and Board Chair

Message from Jay:

I am writing today to share some personal news with you. After 21 years as president, and 35 years in total at the Mertz Gilmore Foundation (MGF), I will be retiring at the end of this year.

It has been a privilege to serve as a steward of an institution whose culture and values I share. Placing trust in MGF’s grant partners and providing long-term, flexible support so that they may succeed has always been at the core of the Foundation’s purpose. I am honored to have been a part of advancing this goal. I hope that everyone connected to the Foundation has felt respected and appreciated, and has enjoyed working with us. 

I am proud of the Foundation’s multi-decades support for advocates addressing climate change and democracy reform, and for its dedication to New York City, as evidenced by its longstanding commitment to community empowerment and the arts. Most recently, I have been inspired by the Foundation's renewed commitment to embedding equity in every aspect of its programs, operations, and practices.

I am grateful beyond words for the dedication, skill, and humanity of our staff and Board members, both current and past, and for the opportunity to know and learn from so many exceptional grant partners and funding peers over the years.  

I have faith that the Board will choose a new president who will bring fresh ideas and an inspiring vision into the best parts of who we are and how we work. I will eagerly support the transition in any way I can. 

Jay Beckner
President

Message from the Board:

On behalf of the Mertz Gilmore Foundation (MGF) Board of Directors, I am sharing immense gratitude for the humility, humor, and heart Jay Beckner has brought to his leadership of MGF. His imprint on the Foundation and the field is certainly indelible. He has also served with distinction in his capacity as advisor to, and more recently as a trustee of, the LuEsther T. Mertz Charitable Trust (LTM). MGF and LTM co-funded many projects over the years that significantly strengthened New York City.

During Jay’s tenure, MGF launched a democracy program grounded in a vision for an equitable people-centered political system; expanded its environmental focus to grassroots groups fighting for climate justice in states in the South; changed the New York City Community’s program focus from being issue-based to power-building; and continued as one of the most committed funders in the arts, particularly in dance, creating and supporting critical initiatives and institutions in New York City. Although we will all miss working closely with him, he has certainly earned the right to retire after 35 years of incredible impact and is committed to supporting a smooth leadership transition, as is the Board.

The Board is also committed to supporting the staff and our grantee partners to further develop the Foundation’s legacy of supporting democracy, the environment, New York City, and the arts in alignment with our organizational values and practices. The search process will be reflective and inclusive, designed to ensure that we reimagine what MGF’s leadership role must look like today to remain true to our values, while continually adapting our work to respond to present-day crises and future opportunities.

The Board has appointed a Search Committee that will oversee and support the process to identify a new president and ensure they are welcomed and supported in their success. We are excited to announce that we are partnering with Walker and Associates Consulting – a national strategic management consulting and executive search firm that has centered diversity, equity, and inclusion in its work meeting the unique needs of foundations and nonprofits for more than 25 years – on our search for a new president. 

Stay tuned for more to come as our search will launch later this month and put us on track to bring in a new president with time for an effective transition with Jay later in the year. We encourage you to join us as we celebrate and thank Jay and consider the type of leader needed to guide us in the future. Your nominations or suggestions can be sent to mertzgilmore@walkeraac.com. 

Thank you for your continued support of MGF and know that we remain deeply committed to our core funding focus and values.

Andrea Sholler
Board Chair