By Phebe Wahl By Phebe Wahl | September 1, 2021 | People, Feature,
The next generation of power philanthropists are here not just to champion a cause—but revolutionize the world along the way.
Selby Drummond
After sharpening her stilettos at Vogue, Selby Drummond is currently the chief brand officer at Bumble. We asked the new mama and Hamptonite for her philanthropic philosophy.
WHICH NONPROFITS ARE YOU SUPPORTING AT THIS TIME? Last year I found The Alignment Chapter, and its formidable founder, Ray Nell Jones. She helps provide low-income single mothers with emergency same-day supplies—like diapers and formula—not to mention the often life-saving support of just being there to pick up the phone when a mother who feels alone or is in need has no one else to call. The work she does is amazing, and I think in general any time you can support local community organizers, it can make an outsize difference, as their organizations are often the ones that are flexible and in tune enough with their communities to help people who might otherwise fall through the cracks but who also don’t receive the attention or grants they deserve.
WHY IS THIS CAUSE SO IMPORTANT TO YOU? My mom was a single parent, and I learned early on that many of the challenges that mothers face are underscored by the isolation and financial stress that so often comes with motherhood. I just had my first daughter in May, and even with all of the help and resources I have, early motherhood can still be isolating, overwhelming and scary. It is imperative that we show up to help mothers meet the basic needs of their children, as well as their own needs.
This has also been the foundation of my longstanding support of Planned Parenthood, as I don’t think anyone who does not feel prepared, empowered or willing to become a mother should be forced to take on that physical, emotional and financial burden.
Adam Rosante
After learning to cook at the mere age of 3, celebrity strength and nutrition coach Adam Rosante is committed to helping people lead happy and healthier lives. We checked in with the founder of Good Eats and Project Strength (his nonprofit organizations) for the dish.
WHAT PHILANTHROPIC CAUSE ARE YOU DEDICATED TO? I started Good Eats to feed elementary schoolaged children on the weekends who otherwise wouldn’t eat. Sounds crazy, but that’s really happening, right now. A friend of mine who runs a farm in Harlem was taking me around the neighborhood to see a few of their satellite programs, one of which was an elementary school where the kids eat all their weekday meals at the school through subsidized programs. When I asked him what they do on the weekends, he said, ‘They don’t eat.’ I couldn’t wrap my mind around that, so I asked him to introduce me to the school’s principal. She confirmed everything he said and more. You have to imagine what not eating for several days does to a child’s physiology. As far as education is concerned, it’s impossible for them to learn. Hunger also leads to increased absenteeism, disciplinary actions and a laundry list of other issues. Within a few short weeks of Good Eats’ launch, the school’s staff was able to point to real changes in the children, classrooms and school. Keep in mind, the only thing we did was provide for them something every single human should have access to. Food.
WHY IS THIS CAUSE SO IMPORTANT TO YOU? If you want to be of service, learn to listen with an open heart. People will tell you exactly what they need. That’s how Good Eats and all of our extension programs started. Bridge Bags, for instance, provides a week’s worth of groceries to low-income families during the last week of the month, a time when it’s often the hardest for families struggling to make ends meet. But it’s about more than food. All of our programs are built to enhance dignity and worth in each individual we serve. Rather than do the distribution in a typical location, we create an environment that those in need can feel good about being part of. Out East, distributions happen at Amber Waves Farm. We’re always trying to take the shame and stigma out of food insecurity and create pathways where every individual feels seen and heard. Each volunteer is trained and encouraged to have conversations with the people we serve and, most importantly, to just listen. No advice. Just a friendly, open ear. It’s often as valuable as the food.
Candice Miller
Maven mama Candice Miller has been elevating the East End style game for years. As the head buyer for Tenet in Southampton and a regular on the best-dressed list, the Mama & Tata co-founder shares how her passions go way beyond just fashion.
WHICH NONPROFITS ARE YOU SUPPORTING AT THIS TIME? NewYork-Presbyterian Children’s Hospital, Feeding America, Every Mother Counts, YAGP and God’s Love We Deliver
WHY ARE THESE CAUSES SO IMPORTANT TO YOU? They are all causes close to my heart particularly because they all involve helping children in various ways, my number-one priority. During the pandemic, my own daughters felt passionately about helping those less fortunate who were having difficulty getting food on the table to survive, so they asked me to start a jewelry-making business for them to contribute themselves to Feeding America, and they were inspired by my work helping God’s Love We Deliver throughout the lockdown.
ANY UPCOMING PHILANTHROPIC EVENTS OR PROJECTS THAT WE SHOULD BUZZ? Given the pause on events in the past two years due to the uncertainty of our current climate, I have been too nervous to attend or host a large fundraiser, although I’m very excited at the potential to resume co-chairing Plates for Pediatrics this winter in NYC; it’s always my favorite event raising money for new equipment and activities for the children’s hospital.
Lili Buffett
Social swan Lili Buffett has always had a passion for philanthropy and resolving issues related to global inequality, social justice and gender inequality. Deeply involved in many causes, we checked in with Buffett for her latest initiatives.
WHAT CAUSES ARE YOU SUPPORTING AT THIS TIME? One thing we’ve learned during the pandemic is that equitable access to healthcare is vital—here and overseas. KidsOR does amazing work in Africa and Latin America, building operating rooms and training pediatric surgeons to help children. They’ve continued to open much-needed new facilities since the start of COVID-19—including the first pediatric OR in a Kenyan refugee camp—and do work to provide better care to places that really need it.
In addition to KidsOR, I’ve also been working with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, a very special place that’s been part of my life ever since I was a patient myself, for thyroid cancer treatment. As a way to give back, I’m a proud member of their Associates Committee, a volunteer organization that supports the well-being of MSKCC patients, important research and education on early detection and prevention. Before COVID, I had the most wonderful volunteer experiences visiting with patients and their families, and I always had so much fun at their fundraisers and benefits. Now that the in-person hiatus has ended, I can’t wait to get back to that—especially at next year’s Spring Ball at The Pierre hotel. Their doctors and nurses are true heroes, doing work to find new treatments and cures at a hospital that delivers the highest standard of care.
ANY UPCOMING EVENTS TO BUZZ? Besides the MSKCC Spring Ball next May, I’m so looking forward to the New York Botanical Garden’s Winter Wonderland Ball this Dec. 10, which has finally returned now that in-person events are back. It’s so much fun to go out, especially when it is for great causes! Right now on exhibit at the NYBG is Kusama: Cosmic Nature by one of the most popular contemporary Japanese artists. This exhibit will be at the gardens until Oct. 31, and is a must-see, if you haven’t been yet. It’s a wonderful experience outdoors to enjoy with your family; the new monumental sculpture ‘Dancing Pumpkin’ (2020) and ‘I Want to Fly to the Universe’ (2020) made their debut at the NYBG. There is still time to go check it out!
J. Logan Horne
J. Logan Home creative director and former celebrity fashion stylist J. Logan Horne brings a curated eye to everything from men’s shirts reimagined from designer scarves to the nonprofits he supports. The Palm Beach-based tastemaker, who is a regular at Hamptons events, shares his eco-friendly ethos.
WHICH NONPROFITS DO YOU SUPPORT AT THIS TIME? The organizations that are nearest to my heart have always pertained to underserved youth, celebrating the arts and environmental preservation.
WHY IS THIS CAUSE A PERSONAL PASSION? Promoting mindful and sustainable luxury consumption is why I started J. Logan Home, so prior to launch, I immersed myself in research on the environmental impact of all our personal and economic choices. The future of fashion depends on the future of our planet.
WHAT IS UP NEXT? I am most looking forward to welcoming AmfAR to Palm Beach next spring. Much of their work was impacted by the coronavirus, and I feel it is now especially important for them to continue their fight toward ending the AIDS epidemic. I am also excited to establish an apprenticeship program for J. Logan Home, which can serve as a pipeline for youth from underserved communities who wish to pursue careers in creative industries such as fashion and design.
Casey Fremont
As the executive director of the Art Production Fund, Casey Fremont is deeply dedicated to making art accessible to all. With a mission that is vital now more than ever, Fremont shares her sketch for a brighter future.
WHICH NONPROFITS ARE YOU SUPPORTING AT THIS TIME? I truly believe in making art accessible to the public, and I’m honored to serve as the executive director of the nonprofit Art Production Fund. We commission and produce public art projects, including Elmgreen & Dragset’s ‘Prada Marfa,’ Ugo Rondinone’s ‘Seven Magic Mountains’ and, most recently, Sanford Biggers’ ‘Oracle’ at Rockefeller Center.
WHY IS THIS CAUSE SO IMPORTANT TO YOU? Especially during this complex time, viewing contemporary art offers the opportunity to process current events and the emotions that go along with them in a deeply personal way. I believe everyone should have access to this experience and should encounter art in their daily lives.
WHAT UPCOMING EVENTS OR NEWS SHOULD WE BUZZ? We have an ongoing children’s program called Art Sundae, which partners kids with artists to collaborate on a public art project. Most recently those projects are on view at Rockefeller Center as part of our ongoing Art in Focus program. Stay tuned for our upcoming Art in Focus installation by Maurice Harris of Bloom & Plume this September!
Photography by: PHOTOS COURTESY OF SUBJECTS; HORNE PHOTO BY ZACH HILTY/BFA.COM; BUFFETT PHOTO BY NEIL RASMUS/BFA.COM; FREMONT PHOTO BY ZACH HILTY/BFA.COM;