Honoring a Philanthropic Pioneer
Valerie S. Peltier, Chair
In 1976, The New York Community Trust made the most transformational decision in its storied history. It hired Lorie Slutsky as an intern. Best decision ever.
Now on the eve of her retirement as president, let’s look at how momentous that hiring decision 46 years ago was for the organization and the people who live and work in New York.
A few metrics for those of us in the field who like data: As president for the last 32 years, Lorie transformed the work of The Trust. Under her guidance, The Trust made more than $5 billion in grants and raised more than $4 billion; The Trust’s endowment quadrupled from $830 million to more than $3.5 billion.
As usual, the numbers do not adequately tell the story.
Lorie’s appointment as president of The Trust was a pioneering moment in philanthropy. Some will remember that her selection raised a few eyebrows. With few women at the helm of large foundations and driven by her passion for New York, Lorie embraced the challenge and dedicated herself to transforming this community foundation into a critical safety net organization for New Yorkers. She created opportunities for others: mentoring, guiding, wading into difficult situations where others turned away.
PASSING THE BATON: Lorie Slutsky with Herbert West, the second president of The Trust, in 1990.
Lorie’s unmatched intellect combined with her overflowing humanity made her a truly formidable force in philanthropy. She made an art of refusing to accept “business as usual,” propelling The Trust into new grant areas before anyone else. Lorie created and nurtured a team at The Trust who are well recognized as leaders in their respective fields.
Equally important, however, was Lorie’s ability to bring together donors, funders, colleagues, and civic leaders to address serious issues in our community. When there is a problem in New York, donors and funders alike turn to The Trust. That is Lorie’s legacy.
I have had the gift of Lorie’s time and wisdom for many years. She has helped me transform my understanding about New York, philanthropy, and the world we aspire to live in as a community.
There are so many people who feel equally indebted to Lorie and want to express their gratitude. The best tribute we can offer Lorie is to follow her example and continue the work to make New York a better place for all New Yorkers.
After a career of spotlighting others, please join me as we focus the direct light on our spectacular leader, mentor, and friend.
On behalf of our board, staff, donors, nonprofit grantees, and all New Yorkers, thank you, Lorie.
In 2018, Lorie and The New York Community Trust were awarded the New York Women’s Foundation Vision Award, honoring “strategic philanthropists whose contributions are directed towards women and girls.”
Lorie is joined by board members and donors in 2019 at GallopNYC, a Queens nonprofit The Trust funded to care for horses used for therapeutic riding for people with disabilities, veterans, and older adults. Photo by Ari Mintz
Lorie became president of The New York Community Trust in 1990. This photo accompanied her first letter as director in that year’s Annual Report.
Lorie with then-Board Chair Barbara Scott Preiskel, then-president of Spelman College Johnnetta B. Cole, and others, at a 1992 announcement of a $37 million gift to the historically Black college from the DeWitt Wallace/Readers Digest Fund in The New York Community Trust.
Lorie with the Distribution Committee of The Trust in the 1990s.
Lorie with staff and board members of the James Foundation, an affiliate of The New York Community Trust, visiting Trail of Tears State Park in Missouri.
Lorie on a board trip in 2015 with grantee Rocking the Boat, a boat-building and nautical skills nonprofit operating in the Bronx. Photo by Ari Mintz
Lorie on a tour of development along New York City’s waterfront in 2017.