Successful Philanthropy: How to Make a Life By What You Give

Jean Shafiroff is a philanthropist, humanitarian, TV host, writer, and the author of the book Successful Philanthropy: How to Make a Life by What You Give. Jean is often referred to as “the first lady of philanthropy” by the press because of her generosity and extensive work as a volunteer fundraiser and leader in the philanthropic world. She serves on the boards of many charitable organizations and each year, she chairs upwards of eight to ten different charity galas. She also hosts and underwrites large cocktail parties for different charities in her New York homes. Among the many causes she champions are those involved in women’s rights,  rights of underserved populations, health care, and animal welfare.

Jean serves on the boards of the Southampton Hospital Foundation, Mission Society of NYC, Couture Council of the Museum at FIT, French Heritage Society, Casita Maria, the NY Women’s Foundation, Global Strays, and Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation Honorary Board. In addition, she serves on the Advisory Boards of the Historical Society of Palm Beach County and Ballet Palm Beach.  A Catholic, she has served on The Jewish Board, a large mental health service charity, for 28 years and now is one of their Honorary Trustees.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Jean Shafiroff served as the national spokesperson for American Humane’s “Feed the Hungry” COVID-19 program, an initiative that raised $1,000,000 to provide food for over 1,000,000 animals living in 100 different shelters across the United States.

Jean Shafiroff has been honored many times by groups including American Humane, Stony Brook Southampton Hospital, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, The Urban Resource Institute, Mission Society of NYC, French Heritage Society, Southampton Animal Shelter, Surgeons of Hope, Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation (honored twice ), Viennese Opera Ball, Al Sharpton’s National Action Network, the Ellen Hermanson Foundation, Dominican Women’s Development Center, Fashion for Development, NYS Assemblywoman Rebecca Seawright Women’s Leadership Awards, She Exist Magazine, Pet Philanthropy Circle, Animal Zone International, Health Advocates for Older People, Southampton African American Museum, Women’s eNews, Youth Counseling League, the NYC International Film Festival Foundation, The Jewish Board, and Hadassah. In December 2020, Dan’s Papers named her “Philanthropist of the Year” at its Power Women of the East End award ceremony. Since then, Dan’s Papers has honored Jean Shafiroff at least five additional times for her philanthropic work. 

In September 2022, she was officially proclaimed the “First Lady of Philanthropy of New York” by New York State Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright, who represents New York’s 76th District, in Manhattan. Then in November 2022, the 117th US Congress recognized Shafiroff for her work in philanthropy. This recognition was given by US Representative Carolyn Maloney, who represented the 14th Congressional District, in New York.

Jean produces and hosts the television show “Successful Philanthropy,” which airs weekly through LTV studios in East Hampton, NY.  On her TV program, Jean interviews politicians, celebrities, business leaders, philanthropic leaders, and has even interviewed a US presidential candidate.

Jean is a graduate of Columbia University, earning a BS in Physical Therapy and an MBA in Finance from its Graduate School of Business. Between college and graduate school, she worked for one year as a physical therapist at the inner-city hospital, St. Luke’s Hospital in New York City where she worked with patients living at or below the poverty level. After earning her MBA, she worked as an investment banker on Wall Street for a number of years.

Jean Shafiroff  is a great lover of fashion.  In 2025 she was one of 24 individuals globally recognized on “Tatler”  Magazine’s ‘Most Glamorous Gowns’ list.  Others on the list included Catherine, Princess Catherine of Wales, other Royals, celebrities and social figures. 

Jean owns a large ball gown collection that she plans to donate to a museum one day.  Over the years, she has served as a patron and muse to different fashion designers.

Jean Shafiroff has been featured on the covers of dozens of local and international magazines for both her philanthropy and fashion.

Jean Shafiroff is also widely recognized as an Instagram influencer. She uses her Instagram platform, @jeanshafiroff, to promote philanthropy, positive thinking,  and her love of fashion.  Her main Instagram account @JeanShafiroff  has over 1.2 million followers.  The majority of her followers reside in the United States with  viewership also  in India, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Turkey, France and other countries.  

More can be learned about Jean Shafiroff at JeanShafiroff.com