Central Park Conservancy's Chairman's Circle

Central Park Conservancy's Chairman’s Circle was established to encourage and recognize leadership support.  The program currently raises approximately
$3 million a year to help meet the Park's $27 million annual operating budget. 

The Conservancy's commitment to a beautifully restored and preserved Central Park has been possible due to an unprecedented investment of $450 million into the Park — $350 million of which was raised from private sources, individuals, corporations, and foundations, and $100 million from the City of New York.   We have restored Central Park's major landscapes, walkways, and waterways and implemented innovative approaches to managing restored landscapes, and Park use has soared.  Our creative public programming for young and old has attracted record numbers of participants.  Indeed, the transformation of the Park has been remarkable, but the hard work is not over.  The Conservancy needs significant and consistent annual operating support to maintain all that it has preserved and to continue to offer its varied public programs.

Chairman's Circle members, individuals and foundations give annual, unrestricted gifts, either at the $25,000 level or the $50,000 level, which is named the Chairman's Gold Circle.  Members play a significant role in the Conservancy's effectiveness.  Circle members receive all Conservators Program membership benefits.  In addition, they are invited to a private tour with Conservancy President Douglas Blonsky, Shakespeare in the Park and pre-performance picnics at Belvedere Castle, and the Salon Series intimate evenings in the homes of New York’s prominent business, civic, and philanthropic leaders, featuring interviews and conversations between notable and creative personalities.  

Past Salon speakers and hosts:

• Christo and Jeanne-Claude in conversation with Charlie Rose in the home of Josie and Julian Robertson
• Arthur Schlesinger, Jr. in the home of Liz and Jeffrey Peek
• Daniel Liebeskind in the home of Andy and Charles Bronfman
• Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly in the home of Pat and John Rosenwald
• Rockefeller University Scientist Jeffrey Friedman in the home Judy Hart Angelo and John Angelo
• Judith Miller in the home of Judy and Russ Carson
• Byron Wien in the home of Amy and Howard Rubenstein
• Deputy Mayor Daniel Doctoroff in Gracie Mansion
• Russell Shorto in the home of Angela and Wade Thompson
• Malcolm Gladwell in the home of Elizabeth and Dale Hemmerdinger
• Pianist Jonathan Biss in the home of Judy Hart Angelo and John Angelo
• John Stossel in the home of Monica Gerard-Sharp and Ali Wambold
• Chairman’s Circle Luncheon at Per Se with Thomas Keller
• Morrison Heckscher in the home of Judith Hernstadt
• Photographer Clifford Ross in the home of Suzanne and Robert Cochran
• Charles Gwathmey in the home of Devon and Peter Briger
• Norton Family Contemporary Art Collection in the home of Gwen and Peter Norton
• Violinist Jennifer Koh and pianist Shai Wosner in the home of Judy Hart Angelo and John Angelo
• Music Critic and Author Alex Ross in the home of Jeannette and Jonathan Rosen

For further information on the Chairman's Circle contact Diane Schoenthal, Vice President of Development & Capital Campaign at (212) 310-6648.

Click here to join the Chairman's Circle