The Lauder Family

The Lauders are one among many prominent American business families. The family matriarch and entrepreneur, the late Estée Lauder, is credited for developing a passion and an ethic of giving back to create meaningful societal impact. Over the years, the Lauder family has contributed to several philanthropic projects through its Estée Lauder Companies Charitable Foundation, including those related to the arts, education, health, and a variety of other issues. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the family built new and upgraded playgrounds in Central Park in New York City, which contributed to enhancing the public utility of the space.

The Lauder family members make their philanthropic decisions on a personal and unique level. William P. Lauder, Estée’s grandson, is currently The Estee Lauder Companies' executive chairman. He makes sure that the company's DNA continues to reflect the philanthropic and humanitarian spirit of his predecessors. William currently serves as chairman of the board for The Fresh Air Fund, a non-profit organization which provides summer camp programs for low-income communities in New York City, as well as a global ambassador of The Estée Lauder Companies’ Breast Cancer Campaign, and co-chairman of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. The entire Lauder family is dedicated to the fight against breast cancer. In October this year, the company's breast cancer campaign generated more than $89 million internationally for life-saving research, education, and medical services, celebrating its 30th anniversary. This is particularly special to the family, as the campaign and the Breast Cancer Research Foundation were co-founded by Estee Lauder’s late daughter, Evelyn H. Lauder, who dreamed of a breast cancer-free world.

Aerin Lauder, Estée’s granddaughter and William’s niece, is also an avid proponent of the family's humanitarian commitment, both personally and professionally. She is the founder and creative director of Aerin, a luxury home décor, fashion and beauty brand, as well as the style and image director of Estée Lauder. The Aerin brand has supported Every Mother Counts, an organization that works to ensure women around the world have access to quality and equitable maternal care. Additionally, it has also partnered with First Book, a non-profit organization that distributes books to children from low-income families. As an initial contribution, Aerin Lauder donated 100,000 books to the organization. She is also actively involved in Neue Gallerie, an art museum in New York, which was founded by her father, Ronald. In addition, Aerin participates in the initiatives of The Lauder Family Foundation in New York which donates primarily towards education, healthcare, arts, culture and social causes.

While the family’s philanthropic efforts are separate from The Estée Lauder Companies, the family members strive to instill their shared ideals of compassion and citizenship in the company culture. Guided by that spirit of giving, the company made contributions to support the well-being of global communities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This included monetary and in-kind donations, hand sanitizers produced at the company's facilities, and the establishment of the ELC Cares Employee Relief Fund.

Today, the Lauder family remains more committed than ever to aiding the global community. Through the Estée Lauder Companies Charitable Foundation, the family responded to several acts of racial injustice that occurred around the world, particularly in the United States. It has pledged a total of $10 million over the next three years in collaboration with the company and its brands to support racial and social justice as well as to ensure greater access to education through organizations like the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund Inc., the Equal Justice Initiative, and The Young Women's Leadership Schools.

The Lauder family is looking forward to the involvement of their fourth generation in giving back by discovering their own philanthropic missions, their own passions, and becoming happy and meaningful contributors.

Contributor: Maha Tazi