Victoria Foundation

“While reform efforts and superintendents come and go, the Trust is here for the long haul to ensure that student outcomes follow a positive, upward trajectory."

In June 2006, Irene Cooper-Basch became the third Executive Officer and Secretary of the Board for Victoria Foundation, a private grantmaking institution founded in 1924,with current assets totaling $200 million. Prior to this appointment, she served as a Program Officer at Victoria Foundation and the Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey for10 years. Both foundations have a strong grantmaking focus on the city of Newark, New Jersey.

Irene has spent the past 25 years working in the nonprofit sector, beginning with a PeaceCorps stint in Botswana, where she taught English, math, and drama to middle school children. Irene currently serves as a trustee of the Council of New Jersey Grantmakers, the Newark Education Trust, and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. She is also the founder and co-chair of the Newark Funders Group.

Irene holds a bachelor’s degree from New York University, a master’s degree from Drew University, and is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Urban Systems at Rutgers-Newark.