Foundling President and CEO Mel Hartzog was selected as one of WorldCC Foundation’s 2025 Inspiring Women, a testament to her accomplishments in leadership in the nonprofit sector. This prestigious program includes trailblazing women across a variety of industries.
Jennifer March, The Foundling’s new Chief Advancement Officer, was recently named to City & State NY’s 50 over 50 list. This list celebrates 50 distinguished leaders over the age of 50.
As they write, “This month, Jennifer March took on a new challenge as chief advancement officer for The New York Foundling. March previously led the Citizens’ Committee for Children for 17 years, guiding the research, advocacy and engagement organization through the Great Recession and the COVID-19 pandemic while spearheading notable policy changes. In her new role, she’ll drive fundraising strategy and operations.”
The Foundling has brought on Jennifer March as its new Chief Advancement Officer – a new senior cabinet position that will lead the Development team and expand the organization’s fundraising strategy and operations. March comes to The Foundling after serving as the executive director of the Citizens’ Committee for Children of New York for the last 17 years.
“No one knows this work or its partners in government, philanthropy and the corporate sector better,” said Melanie Hartzog, our President & CEO. “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.”
In a new feature, New York Nonprofit Media sat down with March for an interview to discuss her new role.
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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Our CEO & President, Melanie Hartzog, appeared on Monica Morales’ Pix 11 show – Monica Makes it Happen – to discuss The Foundling’s three new supportive housing developments. Monica also recognized Mel with a PIX11 Legends Award for her commitment to meaningful change in the communities we support.
Watch the full interview below:
Our CEO & President, Melanie Hartzog, was named to City & State NY’s 2024 Responsible 100 list. This list spotlights leaders that exemplify what it means to be socially responsible – whether it’s through community engagement and volunteerism, diversity, equity and inclusion, ethics and transparency, or philanthropy and charity.
“Social responsibility is about leading with community – meeting people and communities where they are, understanding and then being responsive to their needs,” Mel shares.
Melanie Hartzog, The Foundling’s President & CEO, has been named to Crain’s New York Notable Black Leaders 2024 list, which celebrates Black New Yorkers’ success and advancement, spanning industries from law and finance to nonprofits and the arts.
“As president and chief executive officer of the nonprofit The New York Foundling, Melanie Hartzog has overseen the transition to a “one front door” approach that helps families in need of foster care, mental health, education, housing or juvenile justice services access the full range of evidence-based programs provided by the organization.”
Our 2023 Impact Report – Champions of Potential – shares updates, statistics, and stories about the impact of our work on our New York and Puerto Rico neighbors.
For more than 150 years, The Foundling’s programs and services have provided opportunities for children, adults, and families in our New York and Puerto Rico community to thrive.
Thanks to the generosity of our dedicated supporters, we have innovated and adapted to meet our neighbors’ changing needs – and this year, we have focused on new forms of engagement to reach them where they are in their communities. Download the report to learn more about these efforts!
Pix 11 journalist Monica Morales highlights Melanie Hartzog, our CEO & President, in her recent roundup of community champions!
Crain’s profiled our President & CEO, Melanie Hartzog. In the piece, she discusses how her personal background has informed her decision to work in the social services field, and led her to her work at The Foundling.
