Harry Chapin Foundation

05/03/2026

"He sang from his heart, and he sang from his soul. He did not know how well he sang. It just made him whole."

10 likes, 3 comments. "Laurie Beechman (featuring Daniel Guzman) - Mr. Tanner"

04/14/2026

Carrying forward Harry's enduring legacy. Tickets are now available.

Big news: Andra Day will be honored with the Harry Chapin Humanitarian Award and perform live at WhyHunger's Chapin Awards Gala on May 6th in NYC!

Andra Day is a GRAMMY and Golden Globe Award‑winning, Oscar‑nominated singer/songwriter, actress and activist.

Join us for an unforgettable night uplifting community‑driven solutions and investing in a hunger‑free world.

📍 Cipriani 25, NYC on May 6th

🎟️ Get your tickets here: https://bit.ly/3OvUwiK

04/02/2026

"My career change was born of reflecting on how Chapin reinvented himself. My lesson: When you think you’ve arrived, maybe you’re just starting." -- John G. Taylor
Link to John's story about how Harry inspired him in comments below photo.

03/19/2026

We're excited to welcome Paule Pachter to our board of directors! Paule retired as President and CEO of Long Island Cares last year after more than 17 years in that role and has more than 40 years of nonprofit experience. Welcome Paule!

Harry Chapin Foundation Appoints Paule Pachter to Board of Directors March 19, 2026 HUNTINGTON, NY – March 19, 2026 – The Harry Chapin Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Paule Pachter, LMSW, to its Board of Directors. Pachter joins the Foundation following his retirement as Pre...

02/19/2026

For decades, the Harry Chapin Foundation has been proud to stand alongside Long Island Cares to help end hunger on Long Island and beyond.

Harry believed that caring for our neighbors was a responsibility for all of us.

As Katherine M. Fritz, President and CEO of Long Island Cares, shared: “Harry Chapin believed deeply that caring for our neighbors is a shared responsibility, and that belief continues to shape the work of Long Island Cares today. We focus not only on providing food, but on advancing dignity, partnership, and lasting food security across our communities. Gifts from generous donors carry Harry’s legacy forward by strengthening our ability to serve neighbors and create meaningful, long-term impact.”

Together, we remain committed to helping our friends and neighbors in need.

“When in doubt, do something.” — Harry Chapin❤️

Breaking News from HuntingtonNow "LoTurco Bequest Boosts Harry Chapin Foundation"

LoTurco Bequest Boosts Harry Chapin Foundation - Huntington Now

02/17/2026

We’re reflecting on an incredible moment for the Harry Chapin Foundation reported by Huntington Patch, — the announcement of a historic $250,000 legacy gift from longtime fan Patricia LoTurco that will expand support for grassroots organizations across the nation.

As our Executive Director, Mike Grayeb said, “Harry never settled on his laurels… He always said there are more people to help, and we’ve got to get busy doing that.” This powerful reminder of Harry’s spirit reminds us that meaningful change happens when we take action together.

Mike also captured the essence of Harry’s life and this special day: “Harry, with his guitar, was a troubadour… He used that not only to tell story songs but to inspire audiences.”

This generous gift strengthens our ability to fuel social good — honoring the belief that when in doubt, do something. Let’s carry that forward with heart and purpose!

Patricia LoTurco's planned legacy gift will expand grassroots hunger-relief grants nationwide.

02/13/2026

Harry Chapin didn’t just sing about life’s struggles — he worked tirelessly to change them.

Long before hunger was a national headline, Harry co-founded WhyHunger, building a grassroots movement to address the root causes of hunger and poverty and to advance food justice around the world.

“Harry’s legacy reminds us that we all have the power, and the responsibility, to help create a more just, hunger‑free world. For 50 years, WhyHunger’s work has been powered by everyday people taking action. If you are inspired by Harry’s legacy, like Pat was, join the movement by speaking up to demand just food and farm policies, volunteering to help communities access nutritious food, and donating to help sustain long‑term work around the globe to end hunger.” - Jenique Jones, Executive Director of WhyHunger

That spirit lives on today.

As we announce a historic $250,000 legacy gift to the Harry Chapin Foundation from Patricia LoTurco, who was inspired by Harry, we are reminded that Harry’s humanitarian mission continues — supporting organizations like WhyHunger and hundreds of grassroots nonprofits working to ensure food, dignity, and opportunity for all.

Music sparked the movement.
People keep it going.

For more information: harrychapinfoundation.org/news/

02/12/2026

Since 1981, the Harry Chapin Foundation has:
• Awarded 807 grants
• Granted nearly $2.9 million
• Supported 430 nonprofit organizations across the U.S.

Patricia LoTurco historic $250,000 donation marks the largest single gift in our history — significantly strengthening our ability to fund agricultural, environmental, arts-in-education, and community programs that help people become self-sufficient.

Harry’s work didn’t end in 1981.

Breaking Foundation News: Long Island Business News "Harry Chapin Foundation scores $250K donation."

The Harry Chapin Foundation received a $250K donation from the estate of Patricia (“Pat”) LoTurco, who believed in Chapin’s “when in doubt, do something” credo.

https://libn.com/2026/02/11/harry-chapin-foundation-scores-250k-donation/

The Harry Chapin Foundation received a $250,000 donation from Patricia LoTurco’s estate to support anti-hunger, arts and grassroots nonprofits.

02/11/2026

She Didn’t Just Listen to the Music — She Lived the Message.
Patricia LoTurco was inspired by Harry Chapin’s music — but even more by his humanity.

As Josh Chapin, board member of the Harry Chapin Foundation and son of Harry and Sandy Chapin, shared: "She took Harry’s message to heart and made it part of her own life’s plan."

Years before her passing, she designated the Harry Chapin Foundation as the beneficiary of her life insurance policy. Her $250,000 gift will strengthen the Foundation’s endowment and expand support for innovative, community-based nonprofits nationwide.

"Pat was a true community connector," said Michael Mizvesky, LoTurco's nephew. "She believed deeply in helping others and in the power of humanitarian work, and she held Harry Chapin’s legacy and spirit of service in the highest regard. Supporting causes that reflected compassion, generosity, and social responsibility was central to who she was."

That’s the power of music.
That’s the power of legacy.
That's the power to do something.

You can learn more about legacy giving at https://harrychapinfoundation.org/news/

02/11/2026

A Guitar. A Legacy. A Movement.

Today, on National Guitar Day, we celebrate more than music — we celebrate action.

Today, the Harry Chapin Foundation proudly announces a historic $250,000 donation from the estate of Patricia “Pat” LoTurco, a lifelong fan and fellow New Yorker inspired not only by Harry’s songs — but by his mission.

This is the largest gift in the Foundation’s 45-year history.

Harry Chapin believed: “When in doubt, do something.”

Pat did.

Her extraordinary legacy gift will help support grassroots nonprofit organizations across the United States working to fight hunger, poverty, and inequality.

Pick up your guitar. Raise your voice. Do something.

For more information: harrychapinfoundation.org/news/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlkjpI_VYoI

Video courtesy of When in Doubt, Do Something LLC