Jean Shafiroff: The First Lady of Philanthropy Shares the Beauty of Giving Back

She might be known as the Cover Girl of Philanthropy, with dozens of successful charitable galas under her very fashionable belt, but philanthropist, socialite, television host and author Jean Shafiroff is as excited talking about yet another upcoming gala she’s chairing or being honored at as if it was her first. Often called the First Lady of Philanthropy by the international press, Jean is hard-working and deeply devoted to the philanthropic world.

For Shafiroff, each and every organization she gets involved with holds meaning and purpose. She devotes her time—and money—to ensure that each charity she lends her support to has every chance for success.

Jean raises money, holds parties and writes generous checks herself: a triple threat of the social fundraising scene. She walks the red-carpet walk, both at events and behind the scenes, which is why she is continuously sought out when it comes to joining a board or attaching her name to a gala.

Watching her in action, it’s clear that being the face of philanthropy requires much more than just showing up at a party. Jean explains there’s always more work to be done.

Jean Shafiroff is the author of Successful Philanthropy: How to Make a Life By What You Give, and the host of a weekly television program called “Successful Philanthropy,” which airs in the Hamptons. For the program she interviews everyone from politicians to CEOs, lending insight into what it means to be fundamentally involved in charitable giving.

Shafiroff’s resume includes serving on the boards of the American Humane; NY Women’s Foundation; Southampton Hospital Association; the honorary board of the Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation; Mission Society of NY; the French Heritage Society; the Couture Council of the Museum at FIT; Casita Maria; The Jewish Board (honorary trustee); and Global Strays. For her philanthropy, Jean has been honored dozens of times by organizations including the Stonybrook Southampton Hospital; the American Heart Association; the American Cancer Society; American Humane; New York City Mission Society; Southampton Animal Shelter; Surgeons of Hope; and Al Sharpton’s National Action Network. A follower of Catholicism, Jean has also been honored for her work by The Jewish Board and Hadassah.

Shafiroff traces her passionate devotion to serving others back to her upbringing in a middle-class family in New York. Along with her stay-at-home mother, her father, a music teacher, instilled in Jean an understanding of the value of helping others. The family often volunteered at her school or in church.

After graduating from high school, Jean received a B.S. from Columbia University and then her M.B.A. in finance from the school’s Graduate School of Business. She worked in both public finance and private partnerships on Wall Street and before long was able to take her in-demand business experience to the fundraising world as well.

Jean Shafiroff not only writes her own checks but is adept at getting others to contribute sizable sums. There is an art to the charity world, and Jean is indeed very skilled. Her ease stems from her genuine desire to help others and make a difference. “I do it because I believe in it,” she says.

Aside from helping those in need, whether with organizations related to women’s rights, underprivileged children, animal groups, health care or the arts, Jean is also proud to be inspiring others, including a new generation of young philanthropists. Aside from teaching children to be kind and to share, she believes that junior groups need to find ways to make younger people feel connected and treat them with dignity and respect to ensure they have a positive experience.

According to Shafiroff, the most critical part of giving is giving of yourself, which means not just your checkbook, but attending events or volunteering. Her biggest desire is to get others interested in this philosophy of giving and to believe in the mission not just to attend an event. Though she knows better than anyone that raising funds doesn’t mean you can’t have fun.

Having appeared on the cover of multiple magazines including Elle India, Glamour South Africa, Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam, and many more, Jean Shafiroff is also a fashion lover. Her designer gowns often make an appearance on her social media pages, including her Instagram, which has over one million followers. Being active and posting about charities and events is another way for Jean to use her profile to raise awareness. “You have to support not only your causes but the causes of others as well. It is important to  show up to other people’s events as well as your own,” she explains. One day she plans to donate her entire gown collection to a museum.

The fashion-loving fundraiser truly appreciates the beauty of giving. Shafiroff describes how good it feels to give when she states, “When you know you have changed the life of a child in need or a person struggling with their health, it is a very rewarding experience.” After all, the real beauty, she believes, is underneath the beautiful façade of a glamorous gala dress. Just as she states in her book, even if she never knows or meets the people who are going to be the recipients of the work being done, it is a wonderful thing to know you’re helping.

As the saying goes, charity starts at home, and it’s no surprise that Jean’s two daughters have followed in their mother’s charitable footsteps. One daughter does a great deal of volunteer work in Kenya with disabled children while her other daughter is the co-founder of a charity called Global Strays, which is focused on animal welfare and educating children about how to help animals. A proud pet parent of shelter animals herself, Jean Shafiroff served as the national spokesperson for American Humane’s COVID-19 program, which raised over one million dollars to help feed over 1,000,000 homeless animals.

When Jean reflects on trips to remote places outside the U.S., she says they only make her appreciate everything she has and what our country has to offer. “It feels like we live in a bubble, and it just emphasizes how important it is to do something to help underserved populations. We have an obligation to help out. Whether you’re going into a poor neighborhood or an orphanage in Cambodia where people live just the same way we did in this country 100 years ago, it’s all a reality check.”

With a love of the United States and beyond, Jean Shafiroff enjoys supporting both local organizations as well as international charities. This charitable maven on a mission explains that the key is to do things for which you feel you can make a difference. “Follow your passions and get involved with charities where you can be of great help,” she advises.

This role model and philanthropist understands the importance of making everyone feel welcome. As Shafiroff says, “You never know who that woman sitting in the corner at the galas every year might be and what she might be able to contribute if she likes the charity and the people involved. Never underestimate anyone .”

Jean follows her own advice, which is to do what you can but know that you should never extend yourself beyond your comfort zone. She explains that as there are so many parts of getting involved in a charity, no one should ever feel intimidated if they can’t write the biggest check in the room.

What’s on the philanthropic horizon? Shafiroff has noticed some changes in recent years, including a lot more hybrid-type partnerships between philanthropy, business, government and media. She believes these partnerships allow charities to do more and more.

Jean Shafiroff remains humble and gracious as she continues to be honored by numerous organizations. And her many fans will be happy to learn that she is also working on a new book with even more inspiration for those looking to make a difference in their own distinct way.

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