Meryl and Charles Witmer
/SOURCE OF WEALTH: Eagle Capital, Witmer Asset Management
FUNDING AREAS: Education & Youth, Health & Human Services, Arts & Culture
OVERVIEW: Meryl and Charles Witmer conduct their philanthropy through the Meryl & Charles Witmer Charitable Foundation. According to available tax filings, the foundation awarded just under $427,000 in grants in 2017. The Witmers support quite a few schools, including those with which they have a personal connection. Another interest is health, particularly cancer.
BACKGROUND: Meryl B. Witmer graduated with a concentration in finance from the University of Virginia's McIntire School of Commerce in 1983. She began her investing career in 1985 and co-founded Emerald Partners in 1989. She was a general partner at Buchanan, Parker Asset Management and a managing member of the General Partner of Eagle Capital Partners. Witmer is currently a general partner at Witmer Asset Management.
Charles H. Witmer graduated from University of Pennsylvania in 1978 and received an MBA from University of Virginia. He was an equity analyst Reich & Tang and is currently employed at Witmer Asset Management. He keeps a low profile.
ISSUES:
EDUCATION & YOUTH: The Witmers support their mutual alma mater University of Virginia including its Darden School and McIntire School. Other grantees have included Harlem Children’s Zone, The Benjamin School, Princeton University, University of Pennsylvania, Student Sponsor Partners, Woodberry Forest School, Georgetown University, and Episcopal School.
HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES: One of the couple’s sons had a brain tumor, which motivates some of the Witmers’ giving in this area. Meryl started pharmaceutical company Kids Cure Pharma to prevent relapse of neuroblastoma, a childhood cancer. She is also on the advisory council of Kids v Cancer, which the couple support. Other grantees have included Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation, Children’s Cancer and Blood Foundation, Depression & Bipolar Support Alliance, Mount Sinai Health System, and St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.
ARTS & CULTURE: Grantees have included Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, Martha Graham Dance Company, Second Stage Theater, and Manhattan Theatre Club.
LOOKING FORWARD: Though the Witmers’ annual grantmaking is not overwhelming, the couple support quite a few organizations each year. Perhaps more money will go to the family’s select interest areas in the coming years.
CONTACT:
The Meryl & Charles Witmer Charitable Foundation does not provide a clear avenue of contact but below is an address:
The Meryl & Charles Witmer Charitable Foundation
280 Madison Avenue, Ste. 1007
New York, NY 10016
