Alex von Furstenberg

From philanthropynewsdigest.org –  The Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority in Malibu, California, has announced a gift of thirty-eight acres of undeveloped land from Alex von Furstenberg.

The gift comprises of three separate parcels totaling thirty-eight acres of open space located in the Decker Canyon area, adjacent to Charmlee Wilderness Park in the Santa Monica Mountains. The property contains two significant drainage courses and a wide variety of plant communities, including oak woodland, grassland, coastal sage scrub, and chaparral. The MRCA will seek additional grants to develop trail access and viewing areas to make the parkland accessible to the public.

“I want to thank the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority for maintaining and growing one of the most beautiful places in the world so that families can enjoy the sanctity of our local mountains for generations to come, said von Furstenberg, founder and chief investment officer of Ranger Global Advisors and a board member of The Diller – von Furstenberg Family Foundation. “I look forward to gifting significantly more land over time.”

“Acquisition of this property will close a large gap in the development of the regionally significant Coastal Slope Trail, which will ultimately provide hikers a path from Topanga State Park to Leo Carrillo State Park, where they can enjoy blue water views,” said MCRA executive officer Joseph T. Edmiston. “The generosity of Mr. von Furstenberg will protect this land for the public in perpetuity.”

–

“Alex von Furstenberg Donates Key Santa Monica Mountains Open Space in Malibu to Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority.” Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority Press Release 07/06/2017.

The Diller – von Furstenberg Family Foundation is proud to sponsor Brentwood School’s “It’s Our Turn: Young Women’s Conference”, scheduled to take place on Saturday, February 8^th at the school’s Los Angeles campus.

Young women in Grades 8-12 from schools throughout the area will gather for the one day conference, which will feature presentations and panel discussions by a variety of “female leaders, mentors, and performers who will address issues that most concern girls, such as advocacy, entrepreneurship, identity and body image, personal branding, social media awareness, relationships, representation of women in the media, and transforming stereotypes.”

Maria Shriver will serve as Honorary Chair, along with Special Guests Mindy Kaling, Lisa Leslie, and Reese Witherspoon, and featured speakers Geena Davis, Azure Antoinette, and Jessica Weiner.

The focus of the conference aligns with Diane von Furstenberg’s philanthropic efforts in empowering women.  “The DVF Awards” which are held annually in March, celebrate women who “have succeeded in improving the social, economic and political standing of women, creating inspiration and momentum for enduring change in communities across the globe.”

For additional coverage of Brentwood’s “It’s Our Turn: Young Women’s Conference”:

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/brentwood-school-pleased-present-turn-152300156.html

For more on The DVF Awards:

http://www.dvf.com/dvf-awards.html

A rendering of The Diller – von Furstenberg Building, the High Line’s new operations center, located at the southern terminus of the park. Image by Renzo Piano Building Workshop and Beyer Blinder Belle.

From Jennette Mullaney for thehighline.org/blog – In recognition of the extraordinary generosity of The Diller – von Furstenberg Family Foundation, Friends of the High Line and the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation are pleased to share the news that High Line Headquarters, our new maintenance and operations hub, will be named The Diller – von Furstenberg Building.

Located at the southern end of the High Line, adjacent to the future Whitney Museum of American Art, The Diller – von Furstenberg Building will be at the heart of everything we do. Designed by Renzo Piano Building Workshop and Beyer Blinder and Belle to reflect the historic warehouses and factories of the Meatpacking District and West Chelsea, our new four-story home will provide crucial facilities to manage, maintain, and operate the High Line. In addition to providing essential amenities for visitors, such as our southern elevator and public restrooms, it will house our gardeners, maintenance workers, educators, administrators, and public program staff in a space designed to meet the unique challenges of operating a 1.5-mile park that floats 30 feet in the air.

The Diller – von Furstenberg family has played a crucial role in the development of the High Line, making a total of $35 million in gifts and pledges to the High Line since 2005, including a $20 million pledge in 2011 that was, at the time, the largest gift to a public park in New York City history. Barry, Diane, Alexander, and Tatiana have been profound champions of this innovative adaptive reuse project, and shared the following about their commitment to the High Line: “We are so proud to have been part of the impossible dream of turning an old railroad into a green ribbon of trees and peace for everyone to enjoy.”

Today, with the public opening of the High Line at the Rail Yards scheduled for next year, we remain tremendously grateful to the Diller – von Furstenberg family for their steadfast support and dedication to our mission. We can think of no better way to acknowledge their special role in High Line history than at our future home: The Diller – von Furstenberg Building.

_______

Watch the building’s progress here:

http://www.thehighline.org/blog-tags/high-line-headquarters

Alex von Furstenberg, Ali Kay and The Diller – von Furstenberg Family Foundation have teamed with the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks and the Los Angeles Parks Foundation to sponsor the refurbishment of existing outdoor basketball courts throughout the City of LA.  The partnership, which took form in 2012, will manage the repair and upgrade of selected courts, including the installation of new asphalt court surfaces, cantilevered goal posts, tempered glass backboards, breakaway goal rings, nylon nets, and needed individual site-specific improvements. Courts are being considered on the basis of high use and severe need for repairs and equipment replacement.

Phase I, which concluded in Fall 2012, saw the refurbishment of four courts at the Venice Beach Recreation Center.  Just announced was the completion of Phase II, which addressed improvements at another seven courts throughout Glassell, Sepulveda and Mount Carmel Rec Centers, and Lafayette and Victory Vineland Parks.  Upgrades in excess of $325,000 were funded by The Diller – von Furstenberg Family Foundation, in support of the project.

The LAPF is currently performing site evaluations for Phase III, the conclusive phase of the project, in which an additional eight courts are expected to undergo renovation.

_______

For more on the Venice Beach Basketball Court renovation and other LA Parks projects, visit:

http://www.laparksfoundation.org/EN/allprojets.html