UNCF Remembers David Rockefeller, Dedicated Supporter

David Rockefeller, philanthropist and former president, CEO and chairman of Chase Manhattan Bank, passed away of congestive heart failure at his home in Pocantico Hills, NY, on March 20, 2017. He was 101 years old.

The Rockefeller family has a long history with UNCF. John D. Rockefeller and his wife Laura Spelman Rockefeller (David Rockefeller’s grandparents) made a donation to the Atlanta Female Baptist Seminary in 1882. In 1884, the school changed its name to Spelman Seminary (now Spelman College) in Mrs. Rockefeller’s honor.

David’s father, John D. Rockefeller II, was essential in UNCF’s founding in 1944, providing inroads to prospective donors to UNCF founder Dr. Frederick Patterson by writing letters to other businessmen and philanthropists seeking and acquiring support for UNCF. He personally made a donation of about $10,000 annually in addition to donating $75,000 in Standard Oil stock to help UNCF purchase its first headquarters around 1948. Rockefeller, II also donated $5 million to UNCF’s first Capital Campaign in 1951, and donated more than $5 million to UNCF during his lifetime.

David Rockefeller continued his family’s support of UNCF, and served on UNCF’s Board of Directors in different capacities for more than 40 years. He served as a Director-at-Large from 1976-1983 and was UNCF’s National Treasurer during that period. He then served as an Honorary Director from 1983-1992, and a Director Emeritus from 1992 until his death.

UNCF would like to recognize the years of support from Mr. Rockefeller and offers its condolences to the family.