Chris Daggett, the president and CEO of the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, just announced $2.4 million in grants to arts groups in New Jersey. These disbursements will be followed by a November round of about $2.6 million, part of 187 grants totaling nearly $7.9 million so far this year.

Daggett speaks at the Princeton Regional Chamber lunch on Thursday, August 4, at 11:30 a.m. His topic: “Current Trends in Philanthropy: Mission Related Investing.”

Who was Geraldine R. Dodge? A child of the “Golden Age” (1906 portrait by William Kaubach), she was the daughter of William Rockefeller (younger brother of John, co-founder of Standard Oil), and she married the president of Remington Arms Company, known for his work with the YMCA.

In addition to being a philanthropist, she bred dogs, co-founded the first guide dog school, wrote books about cocker spaniels and German Shepherds, and was the first woman judge at the Westminster Kennel Club.

Their only son died in an auto accident in France. At her death in 1973 she left $85 million to set up the foundation that sponsors, among other projects, the bi-annual poetry festival.

Meanwhile the arts face massive cuts from state government.
Where would New Jersey arts be without Miss Geraldine?