Oral history interview with Helene L. Kaplan, 2012.

Biographical Note

Lawyer, foundation chair.

Scope and Contents

Transition from leadership of David A. Hamburg to Vartan Gregorian as president of Carnegie Corporation: impressions of David A. Hamburg, hiring of Vartan Gregorian, changes in structure and style of Carnegie Corporation, changes in board of trustees; recollections of site visits in South Africa; leadership of D. Ellen Shuman; trustee involvement in investments; Carnegie Corporation relationship with Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg; relationship with other Carnegie institutions; discussion of philanthropic programs: immigration, Islam Initiative, journalism; ideas about the future of philanthropy: role of wealth, emerging problems, trends in private and political goals of foundations; impressions of Vartan Gregorian; left and returned to board of Carnegie Corporation; goals of Vartan Gregorian; hiring of David A. Hamburg: goals of David A. Hamburg, consultations with staff; presidential search committee: leadership of James A. Johnson; women on staff of Carnegie Corporation; comparison of nonprofit and for-profit boards; change in Carnegie Corporation investment practices; connection with other Carnegie institutions; public roles of board; criticisms of Carnegie Corporation; board procedures; increased appointments since 2003; relationship between foundations and governments; discussion of elitism.

Subjects

• Carnegie Corporation of New York.
• Charitable uses, trusts, and foundations--Political activity.
• Education.
• Endowments.
• Gregorian, Vartan.
• Grele, Ronald J., interviewer.--http://id.loc.gov/vocabulary/relators/ivr
• Interviews.
• Kaplan, Helene L., 1933---Interviews.
• Lawyers--Interviews.
• Oral histories (literary works)

Access Conditions

Copyright by the Carnegie Corporation of New York, 2013. The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York hold a non-exclusive license to enable library activities.