Our History
Victoria Foundation is one of the oldest private foundations in America. Hendon Chubb created the Foundation in 1924 in order to improve the lives of those less fortunate than himself. Named for his mother, Victoria, the Foundation provided assistance to needy individuals through the 1950s. In the 1960s, the Foundation began focusing more on Newark and especially on access to education, enrichment, and job opportunities as well as social justice issues such as civil rights and poverty.
In the 1970s, based on feedback from community leaders in Newark, the Foundation expanded its efforts to include neighborhood revitalization and strengthening community networks. This included helping start and grow community development organizations such as New Community Corporation, La Casa de Don Pedro, Ironbound Community Corporation, and Unified Vailsburg Services Organization. Victoria also became known for providing annual general operating support and for focusing on youth development as well as education. During this time, trustees expanded Victoria’s mission to include open space preservation, both buying land directly and supporting conservation nonprofits.
Throughout its almost 100 year history, the Foundation has been committed to supporting community leaders and residents in addressing their own needs and shaping their own lives and neighborhoods. This commitment remains in place today and will guide the Foundation into the future.
We invite you to learn more about Victoria Foundation's history, via the link below:
1924
The Beginning
The Hendon Chubb created the Victoria Foundation as an independent grantmaking institution, which he named in honor of his mother, Victoria Eddis Chubb.
1924
1940
When the Foundation realized that many young children with rheumatic heart problems did not have access to quality convalescent care, it took action by opening a convalescent care center near Morris Plains, NJ.
1964
One of the first educational pilots for pre-kindergarten and elementary grades within the United States was launched in 1964 at the Cleveland Elementary School in Newark supported by the Victoria Foundation.
1964
1968
The Foundation engaged its first Executive Officer, Mr. Howard E. Quirk, in 1968. Mr. Quirk's first task was to explore the needs of Newark's Central Ward and recommend a course of action for the Foundation that would help provide access and opportunities for people in the City.
1968
Victoria provided start-up funds to New Community Corporation, a group formed by Father William Linder, a young Roman Catholic priest, to improve conditions for Newark residents of the Central Ward. Today NCC is the largest and perhaps the most successful community development organization in the country.
1968
1970's
Victoria Foundation shifted its grantmaking focus to Newark, NJ in response to the Newark Rebellion in the 1970’s. Executive Officer Howard Quirk engaged community leaders in discussions about what was needed to make the lives of residents better.
1988
In 1988, Victoria awarded the New Jersey Performing Arts Center a small planning grant and two grants of $2.5 million each in 1991 and 1999. (In 2001, Victoria Foundation awarded a $5 million endowment gift to ensure the organization's long-term viability.)
1988
1990's
In the mid-1990's, when Foundation assets grew, the trustees established a fund that began to contribute to the purchase of specific pieces of land, chiefly in the water-rich Highlands at the top of Newark's Passaic River watershed.
1995
The New Jersey State Department of Education took over Newark's public schools in 1995 with the promise of radical change, Victoria's trustees committed a total of $5 million over five years to Newark public school reform in 1996, hoping to leverage the state's commitment with additional small but strategic projects focused on important reform issues.
1995
2012
Victoria Foundation moved its offices to Newark, NJ.
