Press Release: The New York Foundling Announces Jennifer March as New Chief Advancement Officer
January 22, 2025 (New York, NY)— The New York Foundling today announced the selection of Jennifer March as its new Chief Advancement Officer (CAO). For nearly two decades, March led the Citizens Committee for Children and prior to that served for eight years in City government. She brings deep policy and budgetary expertise, as well as extensive relationships with partners across government, foundations, and direct service that will strengthen The Foundling’s impact.
The Foundling serves more than 30,000 families each year across New York and Puerto Rico through data-driven and people-centered programs in foster care, supportive housing, mental health, juvenile justice and services for people with developmental disabilities.
The CAO is a new senior cabinet position that will lead The Foundling’s fundraising strategy and operations, with a focus on expanding its major donor program and corporate funding streams. March will oversee The Foundling’s entire Development team and will lead the board’s Development Committee. The Foundling leans heavily on innovative funding sources to pilot and develop new evidence-based programs that improve the lives of children, families, and communities. Many of the programs incubated at The Foundling go on to scale into public sector initiatives.
“Bringing Jen to our team was a remarkable opportunity to grow our impact and capacity. I have known and trusted Jen since the earliest days of my career here in New York City. No one knows this work or its partners in government, philanthropy, and the corporate sector better. Jen’s leadership and expertise will help us finance and develop a new generation of programs that could one day change the lives of tens of thousands of families across New York and Puerto Rico. I am so delighted to welcome her to The Foundling,” said Melanie Hartzog, President and CEO of The New York Foundling.
“From my first days working at the City Council, I’ve devoted myself to the mission of serving children and families. It’s in my DNA. And the opportunity to help support and innovate programs at an organization with The Foundling’s scale and reach is so exciting. I knew right away this was a challenge I had to pursue and I cannot wait to begin bringing partners across the city together so we can find new and better ways to make an impact for families in need,” said Jennifer March, incoming Chief Advancement Officer at The Foundling.
About Jennifer March
March comes to The Foundling after serving as the Executive Director of the Citizens’ Committee for Children of New York (CCC) for the last 17 years. A passionate advocate for children, youth, and families, she has led successful legislative, policy, and budget reforms, achieving historic victories across New York City and State.
Under March’s leadership, CCC expanded its staff and budget and leveraged the Keeping Track Online database to inform participatory research, a key resource for understanding and advocating for children’s needs. She has championed advocacy campaigns to address the wage gap for early educators, expand access to early childhood education and behavioral health services, and raise the age of criminal responsibility in New York.
March’s career in the social service sector began during graduate school, when she began working for the NYC City Council’s Finance Division. She spent eight years with the Council, rising to senior roles in Finance.
Originally from Upstate New York, March has lived in New York City since 1989 and is a longtime Upper West Sider and single mom. She holds a B.A. in History and French from LeMoyne College and an M.A. and Ph.D. in Political Science from Fordham University.
See a photo of Jen March here.
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