Courtney Urfer Thompson launches new family fund

The Urfer Thompson Fund to support mental health and conservation

Charity supported by recent auction at Christie's that grossed $7.49M

NEW YORK, Sept. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Philanthropist and socialite Courtney Urfer Thompson announces the creation of The Urfer Thompson Fund—dedicated to supporting mental health as well as land and animal conservation efforts around the country.

The fund will be initially supported by part of the proceeds from last week's auction at Christie's of her late grandfather's esteemed collection of Chinese porcelain. The sale, which grossed $7.49M as part of Asian Art Week, featured more than 100 pieces from the collection of Thomas R. Vaughan (1908-1979), a businessman who made a mark as CEO and Chairman of Freeport Minerals Company (now Freeport-McMoRan) and developed a decades-long passion for ancient porcelain.

That interest will now fuel his granddaughter's own.

"I'm so pleased to announce the launch of the Urfer Thompson Fund, and to find new purpose and meaning in my grandfather's collection of porcelain," said Urfer Thompson. "Those precious bowls, ceremonial plates and works of art—artifcacts from my childhood vividly remembered— form the bedrock of this new effort, which will empower the work of worthy non-profits across the country."

The fund is the latest evolution in Urfer Thompson's decades-long devotion to philanthropy, both in professional and volunteer capacities, from event production, administration and fundraising. She was part of the core team that launched Room to Grow Boston, which offers support to families with babies in low income circumstances, 20 years ago. She produced her first $1M fundraiser at age 35 for Friends of Acadia and ten years later, her efforts have grossed more than $25M for the causes she passionately supports.

The mother of two invests her time in both local and national organizations including The Wildlife Conservation Society, The Salk Institute, Friends of Acadia, Homeless Solutions, and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. In addition, she currently sits on the boards of both The Education Foundation of New Jersey and Women's Association of Morristown Medical Center.

In addition, she has consulted with many other major non-profits for their events (including the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Apollo Circle, and the Parkinson's Foundation) where she maximized profits and developed strategic partnerships within the fashion and liquor industries.

"Volunteering was part of my childhood," added Urfer Thompson. "I consider it both a privilege and a responsibility to be able to help others and am honored to have my experience in the non-profit sector enable me to take this next step and allow me to effect meaningful change."

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SOURCE The Urfer Thompson Fund