September 11th Fund

The September 11th Fund was established by the New York Community Trust and the United Way of New York City to meet the immediate and long-term needs of victims, families, and communities affected by the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001. Almost immediately after the attacks, both corporations and outside individuals began receiving donations intended to aid victims.

Lorie Slutsky, President of the New York Community Trust, and United Way's CEO, Ralph Dickerson met on the afternoon of September 11th and agreed to launch a joint venture that would utilize the skills of both organizations to manage the donations. Slutsky and Dickerson agreed that the September 11th Fund would operate in complete independence from the New York Community Trust and the United Way, with its own board and staff. The Fund would not solicit donations on an ongoing basis, would grant all of its resources to charities and agencies within a limited period of time, and then cease to operate. The Fund was initially led by executive director Joshua Gotbaum, then Carol Kellerman, and staffed with a team of 20 project directors, consultants, and assistants who shared ideas as well as the workload.

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