Spencer Shapiro

Founded in 1969, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation located in New York City. The foundation was formed through the consolidation of two foundations: the Avalon Foundation and the Old Dominion Foundation. The Avalon Foundation was founded in 1940 by Ailsa Mellon Bruce, daughter of Andrew W. Mellon. The Old Dominion Foundation was founded in 1941 by Paul Mellon, son of Andrew W. Mellon. When the two foundations were consolidated, the foundation was renamed. The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation makes grants in six program areas: higher education and scholarship, scholarly communications, research in information technology, museums and art conservation, performing arts and conservation and the environment.