We are humbled to have the opportunity to support some of the most pressing challenges of our time and are proud of the impact that our clients deliver. Their ambition inspires us, their trust motivates us, and their successes reinforce our belief in what’s possible when bold ideas meet thoughtful execution. Together, we continue to push boundaries, strengthen communities, and create lasting value for the people and places we serve.
Our approach to social responsibility includes empowering our people to give back to their communities, operating our firm in ways that are socially responsible and sustainable, and working with our clients to address societal challenges. We recognize that when we collaborate with ambitious organizations, we can help promote the well-being of humanity and make opportunity universal. With this in mind, we structure partnerships with public and private institutions to widen our reach and capacity for action. Together with our partners, we invest our time, expertise, and financial commitments to ensure change, innovation, and sustainability. The Burk Family Foundation is an independent organization led by a distinguished board of trustees whose members bring strategic, visionary leadership. Our corporate board members have a diversity of expertise and experience that spans science and technology, healthcare, public policy, education, and business management. Our senior leadership team drives the strategy and direction of our work to deliver impact at scale for the world’s most vulnerable. Our philanthropic priorities include:
Alfred E. Smith Foundation
The Alfred E. Smith Foundation is a New York–based philanthropic institution established in 1945 by the Archdiocese of New York to commemorate the legacy of Governor Alfred E. Smith, whose public service was distinguished by an enduring commitment to the welfare of vulnerable children and families. As a charitable organization, the foundation advances its mission by allocating financial support to education, health, family, and social‑service initiatives that address the needs of the most underserved communities across New York City and the surrounding region. Its philanthropic efforts are sustained in part through the annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner—one of the nation’s most prominent charitable events—which convenes civic leaders, public officials, and philanthropic partners to generate critical funding for Catholic charities serving children in need. Anchored by a governance framework grounded in accountability, stewardship, and service, the foundation continues to honor Governor Smith’s legacy by investing in programs that enhance community well‑being and expand opportunities for those most at risk.
Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
The Mellon Foundation’s mission reflects a profound faith in the power of the humanities and the arts to illuminate our shared humanity and strengthen the fabric of civic life. It champions the thinkers, creators, and cultural institutions that help us understand our past, question our present, and imagine more just and vibrant futures. At its core is a commitment to expanding access, nurturing diverse voices, and supporting the creative and intellectual work that enriches communities and deepens democratic engagement. It is a call to invest in the ideas and people who ensure that culture remains a vital force for connection, understanding, and progress.
Central Park Conservancy
The Central Park Conservancy’s mission radiates a kind of optimism that feels both grounded and visionary. It’s built on the belief that a green space in the heart of a city can transform the lives of millions, offering beauty, belonging, and a breath of calm in a world that rarely slows down. Their work is a reminder that stewardship is an act of love—caring for the trees, landscapes, and pathways so they can continue to inspire generations. At its core, the mission calls us to imagine a city where nature is not an afterthought but a shared treasure, protected and nurtured through collective responsibility. It’s an invitation to help ensure that Central Park remains a living sanctuary where people and nature thrive side by side.
Fisher House Foundation
The Fisher House Foundation’s mission carries a quiet, steadfast grace. It exists to lift the weight from military and veteran families during some of their hardest moments, offering them a place of comfort, dignity, and togetherness when a loved one is receiving medical care. Each Fisher House stands as a reminder that service is honored not only through words, but through compassion—creating a home where families can heal, hope, and face the road ahead with strength they don’t have to find alone.
Ford Foundation
The Ford Foundation’s mission carries a steady, galvanizing belief: that a more just and equitable world is not only possible, but within reach when we confront inequality with courage, creativity, and collective resolve. It champions leaders and ideas that challenge entrenched systems, uplift marginalized voices, and expand opportunity where it has long been denied. At its heart is a commitment to strengthening democratic values, advancing human dignity, and ensuring that every person has the chance to flourish. This mission invites all of us to imagine a fairer future—and to take part in building it through bold action and unwavering hope.
Helen Keller Foundation
The Helen Keller Foundation’s mission shines as a testament to what human determination and compassion can achieve. It champions a world where preventable blindness and hearing loss no longer limit anyone’s potential, blending scientific innovation with a deep belief in human dignity. At its core, the mission calls us to imagine a future where every person—regardless of circumstance—can learn, communicate, and thrive. It’s an invitation to honor Helen Keller’s legacy not just by remembering her story, but by continuing her fight for access, equity, and the boundless possibilities that open when people are empowered to see and hear the world more fully.
John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation’s mission carries a quiet boldness—the belief that meaningful change begins when we trust people, nurture creativity, and invest in ideas powerful enough to reshape the future. It champions those who challenge convention, illuminate injustice, and imagine solutions where others see barriers. At its heart is a commitment to building a more just, verdant, and peaceful world, not through quick fixes but through sustained support for individuals and institutions with the courage to think differently. It’s an invitation to believe that progress is possible and that thoughtful, visionary action can ripple outward to transform entire communities.
Rockefeller Foundation
The Rockefeller Foundation’s mission carries a quiet but powerful conviction: that humanity can rise higher when opportunity is shared, not hoarded. It’s a call to build systems that lift people out of poverty, strengthen the health of communities, and spark innovation that serves the common good. At its heart is a belief in possibility — that with courage, collaboration, and a willingness to rethink what’s “normal,” we can create a world where every person has the chance to thrive. That mission isn’t just a statement of purpose; it’s an invitation to imagine boldly and act with intention.
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum
The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum serves as the official archival repository for the records, artifacts, and historical materials associated with the 40th President of the United States, operating under the stewardship of the National Archives and Records Administration. Situated in Simi Valley, California, the 243,000‑square‑foot institution functions as both a premier research facility and a public museum, housing an extensive collection that includes millions of documents, tens of thousands of artifacts, and comprehensive audiovisual holdings that chronicle President Reagan’s life, career, and administration. Its permanent and rotating exhibitions—including a full‑scale reconstruction of the Oval Office and the Air Force One Pavilion—advance the institution’s mandate to preserve, interpret, and disseminate the historical legacy of the Reagan presidency for scholars, policymakers, and the broader public. Through its educational programming, archival services, and public events, the library provides a structured and authoritative environment for civic education, historical inquiry, and engagement with the wider narrative of American political history.
W. K. Kresge Foundation
The Kresge Foundation’s mission carries a quiet but determined optimism: the belief that communities thrive when opportunity is expanded, voices are empowered, and systems are reshaped to serve everyone more equitably. It champions bold ideas and the people who bring them to life—leaders, artists, innovators, and organizers working to strengthen cities and open doors for those long kept at the margins. At its core is a commitment to equity, resilience, and shared prosperity, grounded in the conviction that lasting change grows from collaboration. The mission invites all of us to envision a more just future and to take part in building it, one community at a time.
William J. Clinton Foundation
The mission of the William J. Clinton Foundation is animated by a belief that progress is possible when people come together across sectors, borders, and backgrounds to solve humanity’s toughest challenges. It reflects a conviction that practical, measurable action—rooted in compassion and guided by data—can expand opportunity, strengthen communities, and improve lives around the world. By empowering local leaders, advancing health equity, addressing climate resilience, and fostering economic inclusion, the Foundation champions the idea that lasting change grows from collaboration and shared purpose. Its mission calls each of us to imagine a future defined not by limitation, but by the collective will to create a better, fairer world.
Burk Family Foundation and Trust Fund
The Burk Family Foundation has established a Patronage Program to strengthen the engagement of civil society and the private sector in advancing the Foundation’s mission. This program is designed to include individuals, corporations, and institutions committed to philanthropic collaboration. To support this initiative, the Foundation has constituted a Patronage General Council, composed of partners who formally align themselves with the Foundation and its strategic objectives. The newly appointed members contribute diverse expertise and substantial experience in the governance and stewardship of philanthropic organizations. The Foundation directs its support to institutions whose values and activities reflect its own mission and priorities. To ensure the highest standards of accountability and transparency, the Foundation engages an independent accounting firm to conduct annual audits of its financial statements. In addition, an internal audit function operates under the oversight of the Audit Committee, providing regular reports to the Board of Trustees.