Quixote Foundation

Erik M. Hanisch expands on a fourth-generation legacy of progressive compassion.  He is inspired by a family tradition of helping others, and driven by a strong personal commitment to social and political action.  Although his Quixote Foundation colleagues have dubbed him “lofty romantic,” he leads a practical approach to grantmaking that includes a healthy dose of advocacy and encourages diverse organizations to work strategically together.  Erik has been a Quixote Foundation board member since 1997, and the foundation’s president since 2002.  He has played bass in several bands, all the while secretly wishing he was the drummer.

 

Lenore M. Hanisch brings expertise in journalism and event management to her triple roles as Quixote Foundation family member, board member and, since 2003, executive director (a/k/a The Energizer E.D.).  Her activism begins by choosing green, socially equitable and progressive ways to manage home and office, and it extends to working closely with grantee organizations, promoting their overall health as well as specific initiatives.  Lenore’s board colleagues have described her as “new and lovely” for her refreshing approach to Quixote Foundation’s work.  “I am going to save one seven-foot diameter tree, even if I actually have to hug it,” says Lenore of her current priorities.

 

Strong role models have encouraged director Martha Vukelich-Austin to put her concern about social issues into action through volunteer work for many nonprofit groups and political campaigns.  She is dedicated to progressive change, improving the world her children live in and encouraging them to become activists in turn.  The Quixote Foundation board regards her as "good medicine" for the way she combines obvious passion with thoughtful ideas.  Martha feels she is the lucky one, to be able to serve: "All of us benefit by being able to make a difference on these important issues."

 

Called a "cool firecracker" by his Quixote Foundation peers, director Rick Langer is a shamelessly progressive activist disguised as a trust and estate attorney.  His thoughtful role in board discussions is informed by 30-plus years of experience helping families make multi-generational decisions.  Rick has a soft spot for social justice and hospice issues and a gift for considering Quixote Foundation’s work at the most fundamental level—the real-life impact grants can have on individual human lives.

 

 

The Quixote Foundation wants to see:

Free people in fair societies

on a healthy planet.

Our priorities evolve with current events.

Don Quixote holds the position of muse to the Quixote Foundation board of directors. 

At 400 years old, he is the board’s senior spokesperson, although not its most diplomatic voice.  From time to time Don is accused of being delusional, but he is much loved around Quixote Foundation for his willingness to throw himself into the path of danger to promote his ideals.  When board members look to Don for counsel, he consistently encourages risk-taking for high rewards. 

 

Email Don for more information about the Quixote Foundation.

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Founder Arthur Stuart Hanisch was born in 1932 and created Quixote Foundation in 1997 to promote the holistic health of our planet as a natural and social organism.  He saw the foundation’s role as secondary to nonprofit groups and their leaders:  “Money provided doesn’t deserve credit—what people and organizations do, does deserve credit.” 

Before Stuart died in 2002, he chose each director for his or her values, and then gave the group complete freedom to decide how those values would be expressed through the foundation’s giving strategies.  Stuart’s inspiration is a constant presence at the Quixote Foundation table.