The Rockefeller Foundation is an American private foundation based at 420 Fifth Avenue, New York City.It was established by the Rockefeller family in New York State on May 14, 1913, when its charter was formally accepted by the New York State Legislature.The foundation was started by Standard Oil co-founder John D. Rockefeller ("Senior"), along with his son John D. Rockefeller Jr. ("Junior"), and Senior's principal business and philanthropic advisor, Frederick Taylor Gates.
On January 5, 2017, the board of trustees announced the selection of Dr. Rajiv Shah to serve as the 13th president of the foundation.Shah became the youngest person, at 43,and first Indian-American to serve as president of the foundation.He assumed the position March 1, succeeding Judith Rodin who served as president for nearly twelve years and announced her retirement, at age 71, in June 2016.A former president of the University of Pennsylvania, Rodin was the first woman to head the foundation.Rodin in turn had succeeded Gordon Conway in 2005.
