About Alice
Alice Jacobs stands at the forefront of philanthropy and non-profit leadership, renowned for her innovative approaches and strategic thinking.
Her impactful work spans across art, education, diversity and inclusion, and community development, leaving an indelible mark on Western New York and beyond.
In 2019, Alice founded the Innovation Philanthropy Initiative, a groundbreaking effort to promote creative thinking in non-profits and reframe philanthropy around innovation. This initiative emphasizes diversity and risk-taking, creating a platform for transformative social change that continues to influence the sector.
As Board President of the Buffalo AKG Art Museum, Alice spearheaded a historic transformation. She led a seven-year campus expansion project, orchestrating a $230 million capital campaign—the largest ever for a cultural institution in Western New York. Her leadership extended beyond fundraising, driving the museum’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) initiative, strategic planning, and the establishment of a National Council.
In early 2023, Alice co-founded and now co-chairs the WNY Women Making History Committee with New York State Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes which has become a national organizing model for the new Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum.
Recognizing her expertise in innovation and inclusion, the Smithsonian National Board recently elected Alice as a member.
This prestigious appointment allows her to provide invaluable counsel to the Smithsonian and its many museums and research centers, further expanding her influence in the cultural sector.
As founding board member and Chair Emerita of the WNY Women’s Foundation, Alice led the transition from a fund to an independent Foundation focused on women’s leadership. She co-founded ALL IN WNY, aiming to advance gender equity in the workplace. The Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo also turned to Alice, then a Board Member, to lead their Strategic Planning process, leveraging her expertise to maximize impact on education, equity, and arts and culture. Alice has also served on the 5/14 Memorial Commission, working to create a legacy for the victims and families affected by the 2022 racist tragedy at the Jefferson Avenue Tops Market.
Alice’s commitment to education shines through her role as a Board Member of Say Yes Buffalo. This organization works tirelessly to remove barriers to educational and economic attainment, offering support to children and families while connecting young people to job training and employment opportunities.
Alice has been recognized in the top 10 of Buffalo/Niagara’s Business First’s Power 200 Women in 2023, received the BBF Women of Influence Award and the Mayor of the City of Buffalo’s Women’s History Month Award, and appeared multiple times on the BBF Power 250 lists. Her leadership in the arts has been honored by the NYS League of Women Voters and the Maria Love Convalescent Fund. She holds an MS in Creativity and Change Leadership from SUNY Buffalo State, a JD from the University of Pennsylvania, and a BA from Colgate University. Originally from the New York City area, Alice has made Western New York her home, residing in East Aurora with her husband, Jerry, and dogs. The Jacobs have two adult children who are forging their own paths to make a difference in the world.