Quantum Foundation Announces New Chairwoman

At Quantum Foundation’s first board meeting of the year, West Palm Beach resident Ethel Isaacs Williams presided in her new role as the foundation’s chair of the board of trustees for the next two years. She has served as a board member for the local private health foundation since January of 2012 and as Chair of the organization’s Grants Committee since 2017.

Quantum Foundation is Palm Beach County’s largest health funder – a foundation formed from $130 million in proceeds through the sale of JFK Medical Center. Now celebrating its 20th year of community investment, the foundation has assets of approximately $150 million. Since its inception, Quantum Foundation has awarded $140 million to hundreds of Palm Beach County nonprofit grantees. Every dollar the foundation grants stays in the county to benefit local communities.

“The foundation has evolved in its strategic focus in grantmaking throughout Palm Beach County by supporting initiatives and programs that improve access to health services, improve health systems, expand health education, and focus on whole-health initiatives, including mental health,” said Williams. “Long term, Quantum Foundation is poised to continue to be a leader in advancing innovative ideas and investing in cutting-edge programs that can be implemented in order to positively impact the health of our community. As we take an upstream look at health, while continuing to honor our grantmaking roots, we know that the medical community cannot heal the body without having healthy societal and external factors in place. The Quantum Foundation board wants to continue to be a thought leader — tackling the big issues facing Palm Beach County, while always being there for those working on a basic level. We measure the health of the community at the grassroots level, since we know that this assessment can serve as a yardstick for the community’s overall wellbeing.”

In addition to her role as chair of the Quantum Foundation board, Williams is the Senior Vice President of Development and Public Affairs for Kaufman Lynn Construction based in Delray Beach. Her community service also includes serving as a board member of the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County; immediate past chair of the Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce; a board member of the Forum Club of the Palm Beaches; member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority; founding president of West Palm Beach Chapter of National Coalition of 100 Black Women; and national vice president of The Links, Incorporated.

“Ethel is an outstanding fit for the foundation’s mission,” said Quantum Foundation president, Eric Kelly. “Her knowledge of our community is deep, and combined with her tremendous compassion and personal involvement with numerous nonprofits, we know our foundation has a true leader and guide for the upcoming years.”

Groups funded by Quantum Foundation must meet strict grant criteria and must be classified as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code. All grants must benefit the people of Palm Beach County. For information about Quantum Foundation, or to learn about applying for grants, please visit http://www.quantumfnd.org/ or call 561-832-7497.