ACLU Mourns the Loss of Herb Sandler

NEW YORK — The American Civil Liberties Union mourns the loss of a dear friend and colleague, Herb Sandler, leader of the Sandler Foundation. Anthony D. Romero, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union, issued the following statement in response to the news of Sandler’s passing:

“Herb came from humble beginnings, hailing from New York City’s Lower East Side, but even after he rose to the upper echelons of the ‘one percent,’ he never forgot what it is like to be one of the other 99 percent. His faith in me personally, and in the ACLU as an institution, was very deeply appreciated, and will never be forgotten. We extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Sandler.”

Sandler’s philanthropy reflected a deep and wide-ranging desire to see that every person in America is given a chance to rise to their potential. He fiercely defended the principles of equality and fairness — the foundation of the American Dream — by protecting civil liberties, supporting journalism, and advancing healthcare and education. With his devoted late wife Marion, Herb Sandler made a vital difference on the issues about which he cared most.

In 2008, Herb and Marion were hailed by the New York Times as “self-made philanthropists,” in an article that noted how they applied their storied business acumen to their philanthropic endeavors: They were more interested in results than in personal recognition. For those who knew them, they were leading lights in the philanthropic community, known not only for supporting but also for living their principles.

Over the past 18 years, the Sandler Foundation has provided over $51 million to the ACLU.

More information can be found at herbsandler.com