What We're About

We exist to help organizations move closer to a world where at-risk kids find hope, support, and the life-skills to thrive. We look for innovative ideas that can make a tangible difference primarily, but not exclusively, in our home state of California. We support organizations focused on:

  • Housing
  • Food & Nutrition
  • Physical Health
  • Mental Well-Being
  • Education & Training

Who We're Helping

These are some of our current grantee organizations that align with our foundation mission, vision and values. We look for bold thinkers, highly efficient organizations, deeply engaged leadership, and a commitment to achieving tangible results.

  • Access Books
  • Aim High
  • C5LA
  • Casa Libre
  • College Access Plan
  • DIY Girls
  • Families Forward Learning Center
  • First Book
  • Food Finders
  • Food Forward
  • FoodLink for Tulare County
  • Huckleberry Youth Programs
  • Human-I-T
  • Journey House
  • Jovenes
  • LeadersUp
  • Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition
  • Los Angeles Room & Board
  • Marley's Mutts Pawsitive Change
  • My Friend’s Place
  • Para Los Ninos
  • Play Equity Fund
  • Saving Innocence
  • Shoes That Fit
  • Social Justice Learning Institute
  • Spark* SF Public Schools
  • Twinspire: Together We Inspire

A Brief History

The founders of the Mayer Foundation - Herb and Jeanne Mayer - were inseparable partners in life who always intended to pay their entrepreneurial success forward. Jeanne and Herb were forever moved by the openness, curiosity, resilience, and wonder that children bring to everyday life. They lived with a similar spirit - a deep curiosity that contributed to a lifetime of learning and success. They believed deeply in the power of education to transform lives and futures, giving young people every opportunity to thrive. As they approached life, so the foundation approaches it as well.

Photo of Founders Herb and Jeanne Mayer

Who We Are

SARAH KALTER, BOARD CHAIR

Sarah serves as Executive Director of the Herbert R. & Jeanne C. Mayer Foundation. Prior to joining the Foundation, Sarah served as Head of Stakeholder Relations at the XPRIZE Foundation. Before entering the nonprofit sector, she worked in sales enablement strategy for American Express in New York and London, as well as in new product development and marketing for the Affinion Group. Sarah earned her MBA from NYU’s Stern School of Business. Sarah is an enthusiastic (yet mediocre) painter, an avid reader, and a proud Californian.

NEIL WIDERSCHEIN, SECRETARY

Neil has 30+ years of experience in the marketing, advertising, and public relations space. The product of an ad agency family, Neil’s determination to escape the gravitational pull of his genetically-ordained career path was unsuccessful. As a college intern he joined a mid-sized advertising agency in Columbus and went on to acquire the firm with two partners, serving as both Chief Creative Officer and Chief Strategic Officer. Through an early move into the digital space, the company grew into a significant national presence, attracting the attention of private equity. The business was sold in 2012 to Eastport Holdings where Neil continues to serve as an equity member, advising portfolio companies on high-level strategic growth opportunities. Neil is a creative director, marketing strategist, investor, photographer, marathoner, and skier – “although not necessarily in that order of preference.”

ERIC MARTON, BOARD MEMBER

Eric is a 25+ year veteran in venture capital, healthcare, and private equity. He serves as a partner at several interrelated businesses including Wavemaker 360 Health, Three-Sixty Advisory Group, and Innovative Partnerships Group (IPG360). Over the years, Eric has served in numerous roles: Chief Strategy Officer of the Verity Health System, CEO of the Verity Physician Network, CEO of Surgical Partners of California, Executive Director at Cedars-Sinai Health System, CEO of the California Heart Center at UCLA, and Managing Partner at Catalyst Venture Group. Eric is currently a member of the Board of Directors for numerous non-profit and for-profit companies. He is a frequent speaker and panelist at industry conferences, and guest lecturer for the schools of business, medicine, and public policy at the University of California Los Angeles and at the University of Southern California. Eric enjoys outdoor sports of all kinds and spending as much quality time as possible with his wife, four children, and grandson.

KATELYN KALTER, BOARD MEMBER

Katelyn is delighted to be the newest Board Member of the Herbert R & Jeanne C Mayer Foundation. She studied Psychology and is a licensed Real Estate Agent in California. Katelyn currently works in new construction home sales in Orange County. She enjoys the outdoors, physical fitness and creativity. Her passions include animals, the environment and improving the world for future generations.

Brooke Cutler, Board Member

Brooke is the Vice President of Kati Collective, an international development consulting group that specializes in global health, gender, and digital technology. She previously worked in business development at the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation in Los Angeles and prior to that was the Deputy Director for the Mobile Alliance for Maternal Action at the United Nations Foundation in Washington DC. As an independent consultant, she has worked with clients including the Levi Strauss Foundation, the White Ribbon Alliance, and Qualcomm. Brooke holds a Master of Public Administration from the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University. All native Angelinos, she lives with her husband and two kids in East Los Angeles.

With Deepest Gratitude To:

IRWIN HELFORD, BOARD MEMBER EMERITUS

TOM LIGUORI, BOARD MEMBER EMERITUS

Contact Us

We would love to hear from you! Drop us a line or upload a one-page letter or document about your organization or project and we will get back to you shortly.