Our History
The story of the Manton Foundation starts with Jim and Gretchen Manton—lifelong arts and culture lovers who consistently strengthened their communities.
Jim and Gretchen were born in England and Iowa, respectively. Jim moved to New York City to work for the American Industrial Underwriter Corporation (later AIG), while Gretchen wanted a more bustling life than her small town offered. After meeting in 1933, they married in 1936. Jim’s success in business allowed the couple to spend their lives supporting their local and artistic interests together.
Eventually, they chose to create a foundation that could fund their passion projects, and they established the Manton Foundation in 1991. Jim was knighted for his charitable services to the Tate Gallery in 1994, earning him the name and title Sir Edwin Manton. In the early 2000s, the Mantons appointed their daughter and granddaughters to serve on the Manton Foundation board, creating continuity in this ongoing family endeavor.
Our Team
Jim and Gretchen’s daughter, Diana, settled in New England with her husband, Hugh Morton. Their daughters, Julia and Sandy, currently serve as trustees. Julia and Sandy keep their grandparents’ interests top-of-mind in their funding choices while also being even more expansive in their community support. They work alongside a small, efficient team to serve as dependable partners to many awe-inspiring organizations.
