Portrait of a Patron

Morton L. Mandel
 

In 2019, the Academy mourned the passing of business leader and philanthropist Morton L. Mandel, who died at the age of 98 on October 16, 2019. Elected a member of the Academy in 2011, Mr. Mandel is the single largest donor in the Academy’s history with contributions totaling $14,332,000, most of which was committed between June 2015 and October 2019.

Morton Mandel served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of both Parkwood, LLC and the Jack, Joseph, and Morton Mandel Foundation, which supports numerous social leadership initiatives in the United States and Israel. The Foundation’s work is grounded in the belief that exceptional leaders, inspired by powerful ideas, are key to improving society and the lives of people around the world.

Mr. Mandel believed fervently in the Academy and wanted his philanthropy to serve as a challenge and a model for other potential donors. His giving helped transform the institution in numerous ways:

• Morton Mandel relished his membership in the Academy and helped create a program that would engage more members in the life and work of the institution. Grants from the Jack, Joseph, and Morton Mandel Foundation of $1.5 million in endowment and more than $650,000 in expendable funds have supported two Membership Engagement positions, which have allowed the Academy to build a network of Local Program Committees and Representatives that bring members together in locations across the country to forge social and intellectual connections, promote civil discourse, explore important issues, and elevate the impact of the Academy’s work. The Academy has established committees or representatives in 18 cities and areas of the country, including Washington, D.C.; Houston; St. Louis; Seattle; Philadelphia; and San Diego.
• Mr. Mandel believed deeply in the work of the Academy and provided $2.75 million to support the creation of two new positions: Chief Program Officer and Director of Strategic Implementation. His generosity has strengthened the Academy’s ability to select and execute high-quality work and extended the reach and influence of the institution.
• Mr. Mandel insisted on supporting capital projects at the Academy’s headquarters in Cambridge, MA. A grant of more than $2.2 million has provided support for landscaping, exterior lighting and security cameras, upgrades to the climate control systems, software upgrades, and kitchen and restroom renovations. In addition, this summer a new portico was added to the front entrance.
• Mr. Mandel believed that the humanities are the foundation of human aspiration and experience. His final grant to the Academy included more than $1.8 million to support the institution’s archival collections and to document nearly 250 years of “useful knowledge” generated in service to the common good.

Morton Mandel’s commitment to the Academy epitomized the vision set forth by the Academy’s founders of a patriot dedicated to advancing the common good and devoted to service to others, to the nation, and to the world.

As Academy member Jehuda Reinharz, president and chief executive officer of the Jack, Joseph, and Morton Mandel Foundation, noted, “The positive impact Mort made in this world is beyond measure. His values of generosity, his respect for others, and his integrity will be his everlasting legacy.”