Fred Morgan Kirby, a five-and-dime-merchant who became one of the founders of F.W. Woolworth Company, endowed the Foundation in 1931 and served as president until 1940.

Allan P. Kirby succeeded his father in that role. In 1967, Allan’s son, Fred M. Kirby II, assumed leadership and, for over forty years, through careful management of assets, has greatly enlarged its endowment and stature in the communities the Foundation serves.