Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors

Noted Foundation Expert Joins Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors

John A. Edie, formerly of Council on Foundations, named Senior Fellow

NEW YORK, NY – April 28, 2003 – Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors today announced the appointment of noted attorney and foundation specialist John A. Edie to the position of Senior Fellow. Mr. Edie will add his expertise to the organization following a long and distinguished career with the Council on Foundations, where he served as senior vice president and general counsel for twenty-two years. He will be instrumental in guiding Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors’ clients on legal trends and issues related to foundations, and in broadening awareness of new philanthropic institutions around the world.

“John’s extraordinarily broad experience and deep expertise – particularly his global work – uniquely position him to understand, describe and shape the philanthropic instruments that will create positive change,” said Melissa A. Berman, President and CEO of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, an independent service that helps individuals, families, trusts and foundations develop effective giving programs.

Throughout his career, Mr. Edie has advised governing boards and staff of all types of foundations, and donors in the initial stages of forming foundations frequently seek his counsel. Further, he has helped advise governments and foundations in Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, China, The Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Jamaica, Mexico and Russia. “Over the course of several generations, the Rockefellers have set an enviable standard for creative and effective philanthropy, both locally and on an international level,” said Mr. Edie. “The opportunity to blend my experience with the broad collection of professional talent already in place is an exciting prospect. I am eager to contribute what I have learned to their tradition of innovation and integrity.”

Well known for a writing style that makes complex legal issues accessible to the layperson, Mr. Edie is the author of more than ten publications in the field of philanthropy, including First Steps in Starting a Foundation; Family Foundations and the Law; Beyond Our Borders: A Guide To Making Grants Outside the U.S.; and Foundations and Lobbying: Safe Ways to Affect Public Policy. He is a member of the California and District of Columbia Bar Associations and the Exempt Organizations Committee of the American Bar Association. Mr. Edie is a graduate of Princeton University and the University of California Law School (Berkeley).

“As donors increasingly look to assist those outside their own national borders, we know that John Edie’s remarkable expertise from Eastern Europe, Asia, South America and beyond will help donors achieve their goals, said Eileen Rockefeller Growald, Chair of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors. “We are pleased that he will be adding his considerable knowledge and global perspective to our first-class team at Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors.”

This entry was posted on Monday, April 28th, 2003 at 12:58 pm.