The Dr. Mortimer and Theresa Sackler Foundation

The Dr. Mortimer and Theresa Sackler Foundation is a private philanthropic organization established in 1974 by Mortimer Sackler and his wife Theresa Sackler. It is part of a network of charitable entities associated with the Sackler family, known for its significant donations to cultural institutions, universities, and medical schools globally. The foundation's activities have become inextricably linked to the wider controversies surrounding the family's ownership of Purdue Pharma, the manufacturer of the prescription opioid OxyContin.

History and founding

The foundation was created in New York City during a period when the Sackler family was expanding its philanthropic profile, largely funded by wealth generated from the pharmaceutical company Purdue Frederick, the predecessor to Purdue Pharma. Following the death of Mortimer Sackler in 2010, Theresa Sackler became the honorary president and a leading figure in its governance. Its establishment paralleled the founding of other family charities like the Raymond and Beverly Sackler Foundation and the Arthur M. Sackler Foundation, which together formed a constellation of giving across the United States and the United Kingdom.

Philanthropic activities

The foundation has directed substantial funds to prestigious institutions, particularly in the realms of art and science. Major beneficiaries have included the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, the Serpentine Galleries and the National Portrait Gallery in London, and the Guggenheim Museum. In the sciences, it has supported the Mortimer B. Zuckerman Research Center at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, the University of Oxford, and Tel Aviv University. These donations often resulted in naming rights, such as the Sackler Wing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Sackler Institute at Columbia University.

Governance and structure

The foundation operates as a private foundation under United States tax law, with its board historically comprising members of the Sackler family and close associates. Theresa Sackler has served as a trustee and the honorary president, while other trustees have included her children. The foundation's financial assets are separate from, though ultimately sourced from, the family's holdings in Purdue Pharma and other ventures. It coordinates with other Sackler family trusts and foundations, such as the Raymond and Beverly Sackler Foundation, to manage its charitable portfolio.

Relationship to Purdue Pharma and the opioid crisis

The foundation's endowment is derived from dividends and profits distributed by Purdue Pharma, which faced intense scrutiny and litigation for its role in the opioid epidemic in the United States. As lawsuits mounted, documents revealed that millions of dollars were transferred from Purdue Pharma to the Sackler family and their foundations. This financial link led plaintiffs, including numerous state attorneys general, to argue that the family had used entities like the foundation to shield wealth from litigation related to OxyContin marketing.

Controversies and legal issues

In response to public outcry and legal pressure, major recipients of the foundation's grants, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Louvre, the Tate Modern, and the American Museum of Natural History, announced they would cease accepting donations from Sackler family philanthropies. The foundation itself was named in lawsuits, with the Massachusetts Attorney General and others alleging it was part of a scheme to funnel Purdue Pharma profits. As part of a broader bankruptcy settlement for Purdue Pharma, the Sackler family agreed to contribute funds toward abating the opioid crisis, which impacted the family's overall wealth and, by extension, the foundation's future capacity.