Family
Leon Taffae (1886-1971) arrived at Ellis Island from Dembitz, Austria with his mother; his father had arrived to the United States earlier, Leon was 10 years old and would eventually become the oldest of 5 children. As a teenager, he left school to join the workforce to earn money for his family. He managed to attend night school earning a high school diploma. After two clerical jobs, Leon went to work for Bellian Coffee Importers. Misters Bellian and Taffae became great friends and after some years, the firm's name changed to Taffae & Bellian. After Mr. Bellian passed, Mr. Taffae bought the balance from Mrs. Bellian and renamed the company Leon Taffae & Co., Inc. Mr. Taffae was an active member of the Green Coffee Association and in 1964 was inducted as an Honorary Member. He testified at the Senate Banking Committee hearings on Study of Coffee Prices. His passions included fine art, fashion, his family and his business.
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In 1918 Leon married Sarah Klein (1891-1959) who was born in Hungary. Sarah passed from an unfortunate accident. They had three children; Jean Alice Taffae (1919-1996), Robert Charles Taffae (1922 - 2016) and Paul Martin Taffae (1923-2008). They grew up in Brooklyn, New York.
The oldest of the three, Jean was an excellent student,
excelled in math and took a liking to investing in
the stock market. Jean was an avid bridge player and had
impeccable taste. Jean graduated from Adelphi College.
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On September 23, 1940, she married Alexander (Alex) Batkin (1912-1982). Mr. Batkin attended Roberts University's engineering school in Turkey, but his true passion was music and his wife and children. Jean and Alex had two daughters, Suzy and Nancy,
which they raised in Long Island, New York. Mr. Batkin
set up and ran Continental Coffee (roasters) and
GlassJar (coffee distribution).
Robert (Bob) Charles Taffae (1922-2016) attended Poly Prep in Brooklyn where he wrestled and played baseball. At the age of 18, Bob volunteered to serve in the infantry (75th division) where he received the Bronze Star, Distinguished Service Cross and France's highest military decoration: the Legion of Honor Medal Chevalier. After the war, Bob attended Oxford University and graduated from Rutgers College. After graduation, Bob joined his father, Leon at the family's coffee importing business. Mr. Taffae sat on the Green Coffee Association's Judaification Committee and was Treasurer of the Coffee & Sugar Exchange for many years. During his retirement became a Francophile, enjoying annual trips to Southern France and Italy with his wife.
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In 1959, Mr. Taffae married Anita Runkel (1927 - ), who had two daughters, Jessica and Joen. Ms. Runkel grew up in New York, attended the Grier School (Tyrone, PA) and Wheaton College. Anita was very active in volunteer work her entire life. Mr. and Mrs. Taffae were founding members of Temple Emanuel of Westchester. They were avid collectors of fine art. Bob was an accomplished artist.
The Taffae and Runkel families have been close friends for over three generations. Anita's father, Mortimer and Leon Taffae met when they were 15 and 19 years old. Later they worked across the street from one another, both in the coffee business. Their paths crossed often and would frequently attend each other's family outings. Mortimer would eventually become President of Sprague & Rhodes (coffee commodity traders). Anita's older sister, Joan Runkel married Donald (Don) Sperling. Don eventually became President of Sprague & Rhodes. The Sperlings and Taffaes end up living in Chappaqua only a few miles apart. Don and Bob became not only brother in-laws but great friends.
Paul M. Taffae (1923-2008) graduated summa cum laude from Poly Prep, he did his undergraduate work at Hamilton College where he was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa and obtained his MA from Columbia University. Paul was a writer, an avid reader of English literature, and an educator. Spending several years teaching at Robert Louis Stevenson School (NYC). He served in the 75th Infantry Division during Battle of the Bulge with his brother. Was awarded the Bronze Star Medal of Valor and Combat Infantryman Badge. Paul spent his life writing, his passion lied in literature and baseball. He was literary editor at The Book of Knowledge.
Peter R. Taffae (1960 - ) He grew up in Chappaqua, New York and attended Ithaca College and currently resides in Santa Monica, California. Peter is dyslexic and grew up during a time that many did not understand learning disabilities. Although, sometimes challenging, Peter believes in many ways his dyslexia was a blessing and helped to define many of the qualities he is most proud. Peter's working career has been in the insurance industry and in 2000 he established ExecutivePerils, Inc. a national insurance wholesaler specializing in Directors' & Officers' Liability, Employment Practices, Professional Malpractice and Cyber Insurance. With almost 40 years in the insurance industry he has earned numerous awards for innovation and he is frequently quoted in industry and national publications. Currently Peter is a trustee of Ithaca College, Atlanta Montessori Institute and board member of Meals on Wheels West.He looks forward to his next chapter leading the foundation.
Grant Requests
The first step of the application process is to submit a letter of inquiry (LOI).
Send to: info@taffaefamilyfoundation.org
The Taffae Family Foundation supports organizations that enhance inclusion of society's differences in ways that welcome and celebrate our differences; one of society's greatest challenges. Tax exempt 501(c)3 organizations are eligible to apply. Grants are available for general operating, project support, capacity-building, education, and capital projects. Our typical grant ranges from $10,000 to $250,000.
When evaluating organizations as potential philanthropic partners, we focus on the following criteria:
Efficiency: The Taffae Family Foundation believe we have a responsibility to invest in organizations that are efficient as possible. We generally fund those organizations that allocate at least 75% of their operating expenses directly to their constituents.
Leadership: The Taffae Family Foundation believes that great organizations require great leadership, we seek management that are visionary and extraordinary. We admire innovation.
Outcomes: Our investments are made with institutions that create long-term enhancements to Our Mission. As a result, we look at past projects and evaluate the impact. We like measurable outcomes.
Taffae Family Foundation
| Trustees | Mailing Address |
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Joseph HalpernAndover, MADouglas JosephBoise, IDJames SchibukChappaqua, NYAnn Sperling (Runkel)Denver, COAnita (Runkel) TaffaeBoca Raton, FLPeter R. Taffae, ChairSanta Monica, CA |
Taffae Family Foundation Weinstock Manion, A Law Corporation 1875 Century Park East - Ste. 2000 Los Angeles, CA 90067 info@taffaefamilyfoundation.org Tax ID: 84-3061048 |
| Legal Counsel Weinstock Manion, A Law Corporation 1875 Century Park East Ste. 2000 Los Angeles, CA 90067 |
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| Accountant Gumbiner Sauett, Inc. 1723 Cloverfield Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90404 |
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| Financial Institution First Republic Bank 888 S. Figueroa Street Ste. 100 Los Angeles, CA 90017 |
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Taffae Family Foundation Weinstock Manion, A Law Corporation 1875 Century Park East - Ste. 2000 Los Angeles, CA 90067 info@taffaefamilyfoundation.org Tax ID: 84-3061048 |