Reimagining
Philanthropy & Building Community
Our Belief
We believe that amplifying underrepresented voices creates a vital space for empathy, in which we can recognize our shared humanity and build pathways toward understanding.
Our Mission
We shift power and resources to our partners and nurture a dynamic network for people to learn together, bridge differences, and work towards equity.
Our Impact
$4.3M dispersed
to date (since 2001).
Over $1 million dedicated to
education and storytelling.
Nearly $900k towards organizations improving conditions for forced migrants, refugees, asylum seekers, and stateless individuals.
95,000 people from 50 countries directly impacted in the last 5 years.
Long story, short.
In 1958, Eugene M. Adler established a 501(c)(3) private foundation in his namesake. The foundation contributed to a handful of well-known charities, but otherwise kept a low profile before entering a period of inactivity. Years later, Connie Adler discovered the family fund upon her mother’s passing in 2001. Driven by her background in nonprofit work, she revitalized the foundation with funding from her own inheritance, a new name, and a fresh philosophy.
Under Connie’s leadership, the EMA Foundation adopted a practice now known as trust-based philanthropy. This approach emphasizes relationships with partner organizations, unrestricted funding, and shifting power to stakeholders at the community level. Over the next 18 years, EMA Foundation disbursed over $3M in unrestricted financial support to 40+ nonprofit organizations involved in human rights, arts, education, and environmental conservation.
Connie’s son Bill Meyer took over operations in 2018, bringing with him 30 years of experience working in education and a deep understanding of the foundation’s ethos. When the summer of 2020 raised global conversations about the need for systemic change, Bill reflected on the foundation’s potential. He saw a unique opportunity to bridge education and philanthropy, in an effort to transform both.
Our team
Tracy Tran
Nathan Doughty
Rachel Grace
Olivia Reibel
Jalen Walker
Julia Minassian
Joanne Parsont
Zack Cohen
Erika Cao
Samantha Silveira
Bill Meyer
