Richard Mittenthal

Leading, guiding, and informing strategy to achieve philanthropic excellence and address critical societal needs

Richard counsels leaders on the development of strategy, effective board governance, grantmaking policies, and identifies opportunities to streamline operations and deepen social impact. A veteran business leader, effective philanthropy expert, and enabler of social-sector impact, Richard is an early and fundamental advisor to some of the largest and most successful charitable foundations in the country.

Since joining the firm in 1989, he has led planning and governance assignments for a wide range of clients, including the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Ford Foundation, the Altman Foundation, Third Street Music School Settlement, the Margaret Cargill Foundation, the Nelson-Atkins Museum, the Ohrstrom Foundation, the US Holocaust Memorial Museum, the Studio Museum in Harlem, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the Freeman Foundation, the Benton Foundation, the United Way of New York City, the Institute for Advanced Studies, the Charles Hayden Foundation, the Roosevelt Institute, the Virginia Toulmin Foundation, the Robert H.N. Ho Family Foundation, and the Human Services Council.

He is distinguished as an industry pioneer with a career history of working to further the capabilities and reach of foundations and drive innovations in philanthropic giving. An expert on the national philanthropic sector, Richard is quoted regularly in publications including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Economist, the Chicago Tribune, and The Chronicle of Philanthropy. Active in civic and cultural affairs, he currently serves on the board of directors of multiple organizations.

Before TCC Group, Richard led the discretionary grant program for New York Community Trust, one of the largest funders of city nonprofits. Advising on and making grants for a huge range of charitable activity, he helped build the foundation for important contributions that continue to support the well-being and vitality of the city.

Education:

• Northwestern, Kellogg School of Management
  • MBA
• Roosevelt University
  • BS, Economics

Board Service:

• Eye-Bank for Sight Restoration
• New York State Council on the Arts
• Symphony Space, Vice Chairman
• Alliance for the Arts (past)
• American Assembly (past)
• The American Symphony Orchestra League (past)
• The Dalton School (past)
• International Network of Strategic Philanthropy (past)
• Meet the Composer (past)
• New York City Commission on Cultural Affairs, Mayoral Appointee (past)
• Orchestra of St. Luke’s (past)
• Summer Academy of Philanthropy, Faculty (past)

Additional Works:

• Using Management Consultants for Nonprofit Organizations: Promises and Pitfalls. (2007). Speech given at the Baruch College School of Public Affairs.
• Mittenthal, R. (2005). Chapter on Strategic Program Design. In Rethinking Philanthropic Effectiveness: Lessons from an International Network of Foundation Experts. Verlag Bertelsmann Stiftung.
• Success and Failures in Philanthropy. (2005). Speech given at The Philanthropy Workshop.
• Grantee/Consultant Engagements: What Doesn’t Work, Principles for Success, and What Funders Expect. Keynote address delivered at the United Way of New York City conference.
• Strategic philanthropy and foundation management: What are the issues? (2002-2003). Guest faculty course taught at The European Foundation Center’s Summer Academy on Philanthropy.
• Mittenthal, R. (2002). Effective Philanthropy: The Importance of Focus. TCC Group Briefing Paper.
• Testimony Submitted to the Independent Commission Reviewing the National Endowment for the Arts. (1990).
• Philanthropy and Corporate Support of the Arts in the United States. (1988). Speech delivered to the Italian Federation of Industrial Employees.
• From Routine to Ready, Set, Go: Engaging the Board in Making Meaningful Plans. Panelist at the National Leadership Forum for the National Center for Nonprofit Boards.
• Mittenthal, R. (1977). Getting Management Help to the Nonprofit Sector. Harvard Business Review.