Shanee Helfer

Shanee Helfer joined Two Ten Footwear Foundation in October 2024 as the Director of Grant Programs.

Shanee has built her career at the intersection of economic, workforce, and community development, committed to leveraging collective power for sustainable, equitable change. She has managed grant portfolios of up to $25 million, including Donor Advised Funds (DAF) and fiscally sponsored 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) projects. Notably, she designed and implemented Grantee Learning Communities at Living Cities, the City of New York, United Way, and the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone.

Shanee has led strategic communications, supporting thought leadership campaigns that amplify the voices of grantees and community leaders. She has authored blogs, white papers, and designed conference sessions and convenings in partnership with organizations such as the Council on Foundations, Grantmakers for Effective Organizations, Boston Federal Reserve, and FSG.

A champion of strategic planning, Shanee developed and led initiatives aimed at closing the racial wealth gap at Living Cities and aligning Bottom Line’s corporate fundraising and engagement strategy with its volunteerism and workforce development programming. These initiatives have had a lasting impact, continuing to evolve and grow beyond her tenure.

Shanee holds a Master's Degree in Urban Policy and Leadership from CUNY Hunter College and a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, along with a Certification in Public Sector Performance Measurement from Rutgers University.

She lives in Jersey City, where she cultivates an annual vegetable and flower garden and enjoys exploring new restaurants and destinations locally and abroad.