Henry Allen, Executive Director
Henry Allen was named as the Executive Director of the Discount Foundation in April of 2007. Mr. Allen was previously the senior program officer at the Hyams Foundation in Boston for sixteen years. There he provided leadership for the Foundation’s grantmaking in the area of Civic Participation, which included community organizing, leadership development and public policy advocacy in the areas of affordable housing, workforce development, public education reform, community safety and neighborhood revitalization.
Mr. Allen also is active in national philanthropic activities. He served for two years as the co-chair of the Neighborhood Funders Group, chaired its Program and Annual Conference committees, and co-founded and chaired for a number of years its Working Group on Labor and Community Partnerships. He also chaired the editorial committee for NFG’s Community Organizing Tool Box: A Funders Guide to Community Organizing. He currently serves on the board of directors of Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees.
Mr. Allen has an extensive background in education, having taught at both the high school and college levels, served as a dean at a community college and directed a popular education school for people involved in workplace and community organizing in Boston.
Mr. Allen has a long record as a community activist in Boston in the areas of school desegregation, school reform, civil rights, and community development, and has served on the boards of numerous non-profit organizations over the past twenty-five years. He also has written on issues of public education reform, community/labor partnerships and philanthropic support of minimum wage campaigns.
2012 Leadership Transition
Announcement from Board Chair Jeff Zinsmeyer, December 2011
Dear Discount Foundation Friends,
As you may have recently read, our valued Executive Director, Henry Allen has chosen to retire this upcoming June, 2012.
It is too soon to say good-bye or to celebrate his stellar career; although we must at least acknowledge his important contributions to progressive change and philanthropy. His experience, extensive networks, never-ending goodwill, unrelenting hope and commitment have guided Discount into dynamic, innovative and impactful program strategies. We are sorrowed to think of him leaving and will miss him profoundly.
In preparation for his departure, Discount formed a Search Committee which is supported by the consultant group Leadership Transitions. Early next year we will begin the formal search for Henry’s replacement for a half-time (20 hours) Executive Director. We will provide a formal position announcement at that time. I encourage you to send us the names of good candidates-right away if so inspired. You may email them to Suzanne Maas at search@leadertransitions.com.
On behalf of the Board and staff, I thank you for all the support and encouragement you have given to The Discount Foundation and the people we serve over the years.
Sincerely,
Jeff Zinsmeyer
Chair, Board of Directors