Obituaries
Philanthropist and donor to LGBTQ
causes Henry van Ameringen dies at 90
BY MATT TRACY
Henry van Ameringen, an out gay philanthropist
who tapped into his fortune to steer millions of
dollars to LGBTQ causes for decades, died on
Sept. 9 at the age of 90.
While van Ameringen was initially known as an executive
and served on the board of directors for his father’s
company, International Flavors and Fragrances, he opted
to utilize his wealth for the greater good in 1987 when the
HIV/ AIDS crisis had a crushing grip on the community.
He subsequently built on that generosity, often writing
checks for large sums of money to benefi t the community
without being asked.
Matt Foreman vividly recalled meeting van Ameringen
for lunch in 1995 in the West Village, at the time when
Foreman was the executive director of the New York City
Anti-Violence Project (AVP).
“We talked about the surge in anti-LGBTQ violence and
at the end of the meal he just casually fl ipped over a check
face-down,” Foreman, who remained in touch with van
Ameringen up until his death, told Gay City News. “I just
looked at it and it was for $100,000. The thing people don’t
realize is that a $100,000 gift to an LGBTQ organization
of any size back then was simply unbelievable.”
Foreman and others who knew van Ameringen
remembered him as someone who was willing to selfl essly
open his wallet without expecting anything in return except
for a pledge to make sure the money was properly utilized.
“He never wanted credit,” Foreman said. “And he was
so intently devoted to the most marginalized people in our
community. People of color, Black men living with HIV/
AIDS… He was exceptional not only in the level of his
generosity but his humbleness.”
Van Ameringen’s philanthropic organization, the van
Ameringen Foundation, also funds a range of programs
including mental health services and early intervention
initiatives for communities in need. He was known to touch
different corners of the queer community, from homeless
youth to seniors and even fi lmmakers who sought to bring
LGBTQ history to the homes of Americans from coast to
coast. Many said he was also mindful of racial injustice
and let that be known in the way he allocated his funds.
Carl Siciliano, the founder and former executive director
of the homeless queer youth housing and services group Ali
Forney Center, told Gay City News that contrary to other
donors, asking van Ameringen for money was not how he
opened his wallet. Rather, he would inform Ameringen about
the most pressing needs facing marginalized communities
“and he would almost always come to the table.”
Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC), another organization
that received donations from van Ameringen, said he most
LAMBDA LEGAL VIA IN THE LIFE MEDIA
Henry van Ameringen was remembered across
the local LGBTQ community as a major donor who
helped fund important causes for people in need.
recently supported the “Deep South Porject,” which sought
to provide funding for HIV/ AIDS service providers in
Mississippi and other Southern states.
The LGBT Community Center in Manhattan also
expressed “great sadness” following the death of “our
longtime friend and generous supporter.”
Ameringen, who lived in the West Village for more
than three decades and had a home in upstate Hudson,
is survived by his spouse, T. Eric Galloway, along with
six nieces and nephews. Donations in his name can be
made to Fountain House (fountainhouse.org), a New York
City mental health services organization, or Lambda Legal
(lambdalegal.org).
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