Our Story
The Burke Foundation was established in Princeton, NJ in 1989 by the late Jim E. Burke and his wife Diane (“Didi”) Burke. During his 37 years with Johnson & Johnson, Jim Burke built a legacy of visionary leadership, and served as Chairman and CEO for the last 13 years of his tenure. Jim received the highest civilian honor in the nation in 2000, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and was named one of history’s greatest CEOs by Fortune magazine in 2003.
“Figure out what your gifts are, take intelligent risks, and do not be afraid of failure. Surround yourself with people who are smarter than you are and learn from them. Remember that being a business leader is about giving — not taking — and that you can and must make a difference.”
– Jim E. Burke (1925-2012)
Didi Burke, an art history major and painter, dedicated much of her life to the field, including serving as a trustee of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Princeton University Art Museum, and supporting arts institutions that have made a difference in the lives of young people and adults around the country.
Throughout their life together, Jim and Didi shared a passion for improving the health and wellbeing of children, and from the beginning of their philanthropic journey chose to invest in tangible ways to help children and their families thrive. For over 25 years the Foundation has supported programming in fields including the arts, health care, education, and community revitalization, with an emphasis on creating equal opportunities for all families and children.
Their philanthropic vision was also heavily influenced by pediatrician and relative Dr. T. Berry Brazelton. One of the first pediatricians to research and raise awareness around the critical bonding relationship between mother and child, Dr. Brazelton taught a generation of parents and children how important touch, playfulness, curiosity, humility, and opportunity are to the healthy development of our children.
“When we strengthen families, we strengthen the community. Our goal is for parents everywhere to work with supportive providers, feel confident in their parenting role, and form strong, resilient attachments with their children. To help achieve this, providers must be responsive to parents, knowledgeable about child development, and eager to see every parent succeed.”
– Dr. T. Berry Brazelton (1918-2018)
The Burke Foundation’s current leadership and trustees have identified early childhood development as a key focus area in which to invest Foundation resources to achieve the greatest impact for New Jersey children and their communities.
About the Burke Foundation
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