Mel Heifetz
/SOURCE OF WEALTH: Mel Heifetz Real Estate
FUNDING AREAS: LGBT Causes
OVERVIEW: Mel Heifetz is a major supporter of LGBT and liberal political causes on the local and national levels. He recently announced a $16 million gift that will expand the GLBT Fund of America, an endowed donor advised fund at The Philadelphia Foundation.
BACKGROUND: Mel Heifetz was born in South Philadelphia to working-class Jewish parents. He joined the Army at 18 and was stationed in Germany. When he returned, he studied real estate for one year at Temple University. He launched Mel Heifetz Real Estate in 1967. Over his professional career, Heifetz built several successful hospitality and residential businesses, including Philadelphia's first gay hotel, The Alexander Inn, and owned three of the most prominent gay and lesbian bars in Philadelphia, as well as hotel and bar properties in Key West, Florida.
ISSUES:
LGBT CAUSES: The openly gay Heifetz is a well-known supporter of LGBT and liberal political causes on the local and national levels. In 2005, he paid off the mortgage of the William Way LGBT Community Center. More recently, he worked closely with Project HOME on a new housing facility called the Gloria Casarez Residence, which provides LGBTQ-friendly affordable homes for young adults who are homeless, or have experienced or are at risk of homelessness, including those aging out of foster care.
Heifetz is strongly involved with The Philadelphia Foundation (TPF), where in 2007 he established the GLBT Fund of America, a donor-advised fund that supports the GLBT community in such areas as civil rights, social justice and health needs. He recently announced an additional $16 million gift to the fund.
Heifetz is also interested in public policy and has been a major political contributor to candidates supportive of LGBTQ rights. His contributions have kept several HIV/AIDS nonprofits afloat, and at the peak of the HIV/AIDS crisis in the 1980s, he put uninsured people with the virus on his company’s health insurance plan. Additionally, he formed a sustaining relationship with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which stems from a time when a coffeehouse owned by Heifetz—known for welcoming all people, including interracial and gay couples—was shut down by local police; ACLU attorneys defended Heifetz.
LOOKING FORWARD: In his 80s, it is unclear if Heifetz will establish a philanthropic vehicle to further support LGBTQ and progressive causes. Philadelphia will likely remain a geographic priority for his giving.
