Achelis and Bodman Foundations

The Achelis and Bodman Foundations:

The Achelis Foundation
According to the organization's web site, "The Achelis Foundation is a private philanthropy under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Foundation was established under the Membership Corporations Law of the State of New York in 1940. It was principally endowed by Elisabeth Achelis, born in Brooklyn Heights in 1880 and a resident of Manhattan from 1901 until her death in 1973 at the age of 93. Her father, Fritz Achelis, founded the American Hard Rubber Company, which produced a variety of products under the Ace trademark, including combs and bowling balls. The company operated in Butler, New Jersey, until 1974 when its operations were relocated to Tennessee. Mr. Achelis was also the president of Lenox Hill Hospital in New York. Upon his death in 1924, Mr. Achelis bequeathed to Yale University 150 old master prints, which included works by Albrecht Dürer and Rembrandt van Rijn."

"Miss Achelis, who never married, was the founder and president of the World Calendar Association starting in 1930, which advocated the creation of a simplified and fixed version of the Gregorian calendar that could be used throughout the world to promote industry, trade and peace among nations. She started the movement after attending a lecture in 1929 by Dr. Melvil Dewey (of the Decimal System) on the necessity of simplifying life. The League of Nations explored the concept of a World Calendar, and Miss Achelis later promoted the idea at the United Nations. Despite the backing of many prominent world leaders, among them Mahatma Gandhi, the idea did not gain the support of the U.S. government or the U.N. Miss Achelis resigned as president of the World Calendar Association in 1955, though she continued to promote calendar reform for the rest of her life."

"In the years that followed, Miss Achelis devoted herself to philanthropy and wrote her autobiography, Be Not Silent (Pageant Press: New York, 1961) ... The Foundation seeks to follow Miss Achelis' intent by ensuring that grants be used for 'charitable, benevolent, educational and religious uses and purposes.' The terms of the Charter enable the use of both income and principal for the grants program. The Achelis Foundation funds primarily in New York City."

The Bodman Foundation
According to the organization's web site, "The Bodman Foundation is a private foundation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. George M. Bodman and his wife, Louise Clarke Bodman, established the Foundation in 1945. Mr. Bodman was born in Toledo, Ohio, in 1893, and eventually became a senior partner at the investment banking firm of Cyrus J. Lawrence & Sons. He also served on the boards of various companies, including Milmine, Bodman & Company, the Bank of New York, Fifth Avenue Bank, Fidelity Union Trust Company of Newark, and the Seaboard Surety Company. During World War II, Mr. Bodman served as the executive assistant to the Red Cross Commissioner for Great Britain and was regional director in charge of American Red Cross Club operations in northern England, Scotland, and northern Ireland. During World War I he headed the Intelligence Service of the War Trade Board. Mr. Bodman was educated at the Hill School in Pennsylvania and Yale University. Mrs. Bodman was born in 1893 in Chicago, Illinois."

"The Foundation functions as a charitable corporation organized under the laws of the State of New Jersey, designed to further the work of nonprofit agencies and institutions. An initial endowment was established by the Bodmans, with the bulk of principal assets of Mr. Bodman's estate added upon his death. Remaining funds were received from residual trusts created by Mrs. Bodman under the terms of her will, following the death of certain income beneficiaries ... In keeping with the donors' intent, the Foundation distributes funds in the religious, educational, and charitable fields 'for the moral, ethical and physical well-being and progress of mankind.' There are few restrictions on the use of these funds and the Trustees may apply both income and principal for the purposes of the Foundation. The Bodman Foundation primarily funds in New York City, but occasionally considers projects in northern New Jersey, including Monmouth County, in honor of its donors."

Both the Achelis and Bodman Foundations have been the subject of criticism by various publications affiliated with conspiracy theorist Lyndon LaRouche, especially for making grants to the American Family Foundation - which has been critical of the LaRouche movement - and the inter-faith organisation, the Temple of Understanding. One LaRouche website complains about the two foundations on the grounds that "A close inspection of the grant-making activity of these foundations discloses support for institutions that have been seminal to the erosion of Judeo-Christian culture. In 1969, the Bodman foundation financed the Temple of Understanding, which established itself as the only religious chapel housed in the United Nations in New York". 

Officers

 * Guy G. Rutherfurd, Honorary Chairman
 * John N. Irwin III, Chairman and Treasurer
 * Russell P. Pennoyer, President
 * Peter Frelinghuysen, Vice President
 * Mary S. Phipps, Vice President
 * Joseph S. Dolan, Secretary

Board of Trustees

 * Horace I. Crary, Jr.
 * Walter J. P. Curley, Jr.
 * Anthony D. Duke
 * Peter Frelinghuysen
 * John N. Irwin III
 * Sarah H. Lederman
 * Russell P. Pennoyer
 * Mary S. Phipps
 * Guy G. Rutherfurd

Staff

 * Joseph S. Dolan, Executive Director
 * John B. Krieger, Program Officer
 * Pamela S. Goebert, Administrative Assistant
 * Morris & McVeigh LLP, General Counsel

Contact
767 Third Avenue, 4th Floor New York, New York 10017 Phone: 212-644-0322 Fax: 212-759-6510 E-mail: main@achelis-bodman-fnds.org Web: fdncenter.org/grantmaker/achelis-bodman/

Other Related SourceWatch Resources

 * funders
 * think tank
 * They also fund the Corporation for Educational Radio and Television