We make strategic grants to nonprofit partners working in all five boroughs of New York City.

Our History

In 1990, advertising executive John A. Reisenbach was the victim of a random and senseless murder in the West Village. Determined to help prevent this kind of tragedy from happening again, John’s friends and colleagues in the advertising and media industries formed Reisenbach Philanthropies (then known as the John A. Reisenbach Foundation). Since 1991, the foundation has leveraged its roots in media and creative industries to partner with organizations building a better, safer New York City.

About John

After graduating from Northwestern University, John moved to New York in 1978 and married his college sweetheart Victoria Nelson. He began his career as a media planner at Ogilvy & Mather, moved to Backer & Spielvogel in 1982, and joined All American Television in 1987 as senior vice president and director of advertising sales. According to his friends, John was sarcastic and silly, yet caring and stubbornly passionate. We believe John would be flabbergasted that so many have come together to honor his memory, but would be proud of his legacy living on as we help NYC’s game-changers create the change the city needs.

Our Board

Reisenbach Board of Directors are a group of dedicated volunteers, committed to a better and safer New York City. They govern and oversee the organization's operations and are unequivocally the backbone of Reisenbach Philanthropies.

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