NET WORTH: Unknown
SOURCE OF WEALTH: Hellman Jordan Management Company
FUNDING AREAS: Education & Youth, Health, Arts & Culture, Boston Community
OVERVIEW: Gerald Jordan Jr. and his wife Darlene move their philanthropy through the Gerald R. Jordan Foundation. The couple's giving centers on the Boston area, where one interest is youth. They're heavily involved with Boys & Girls Club, where a center bears their name. Jordan also funds his alma mater. The couple also resides in Florida, another (more modest) site of giving.
BACKGROUND: Gerald R. Jordan Jr. graduated Harvard College, served as a Navy Lieutenant, attended Harvard Business School, and then began his investment career at Putnam Management Company. In 1978 he founded Hellman, Jordan Management Company and currently serves as chairman and portfolio manager.
ISSUES:
EDUCATION & YOUTH: Darlene sits on the board of directors of the Boys & Girls Club of Boston, home to the Jordan Club. The Jordans donated $3 million to create the 42,000-square foot center and continue to support Boys & Girls Clubs via their foundation. The couple also has supported Year Up, Steppingstone Foundation, Newton Country Day School, Oxbridge Academy, and Sacred Heart School. The couple has given particularly large sums to Fordham University, Darlene's alma mater, and Harvard University, Gerald's school. At Harvard, the Jordans have also supported the basketball, football, and lacrosse teams.
HEALTH: Grantees have included Brigham & Women's Hospital; The Joey Fund, which works in partnership with Cystic Fibrosis Foundation; The Julie Fund, which deals with women's cancers; Cape Cod Healthcare Foundation; and Massachusetts General Hospital. Overall, Boston area hospitals and a select few health causes seem to be the couple's focus in this category.
ARTS & CULTURE: The couple also earmarks funds for arts and culture outfits like Handl and Haydn Society, New England Aquarium, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Cape Symphony, and Palm Beach Zoo.
BOSTON COMMUNITY: The Jordan family's giving through their foundation mostly goes into the Boston area. Apart from what's been mentioned, the couple has also supported local environmental outfits Save Our Sound and Lloyd Center for the Environment. The Jordans have also supported WBUR, the local NPR station.
LOOKING FORWARD: In recent years, the couple has also lived in Florida and supported Palm Beach Civic Association and Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach. Darlene, a former ADA, was recently appointed to the board of governors of the state university system and has said she's interested in tackling issues like college affordability and STEM. Perhaps these interest areas will reflect in the couple's giving in Florida in the coming years.
CONTACT:
The Gerald R. Jordan Foundation does not provide a clear avenue for getting in touch but below is contact information:
The Gerald R. Jordan Foundation
125 High St., Ste. 801
Boston, MA 02110
Telephone: (617) 261-9800
LINK: