Who We Are
The Dart Foundation is a private family foundation established in 1984 by William A. and Claire T. Dart.
Over the years, the Dart Foundation has granted nearly $100,000,000 to support causes that foster change at the local level.
We are proud of our nimble approach to philanthropy. We continue to believe, as our founders did, that by listening to our local communities our work not only remains strategic and relevant, but maximizes the impact of our investments too.
Our Board aims to carry out our founder’s legacy while also being flexible to meet today’s greatest needs.
“I enjoy being a part of a Foundation that benefits and strengthens communities. We continue to listen to our community members to ensure we build a better future together.”
Board Members
Jim Lammers, President and Treasurer
Jim has worked with the Dart Family since 1986 and has been actively involved with the Dart Foundation since 1992. Jim held several influential roles at Dart Container Corporation including Chief Executive Officer. He now serves as Chairman of the Dart Container Board and serves as a Director of other key Dart Companies involving real estate and hospitality. Jim is a graduate of Stanford University and the University of Michigan Law School. Prior to working with the Darts, Jim practiced law in Michigan and California. He has served as a Director of the local/State chapters of the American Red Cross, Nature Conservancy, and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Kenneth Dart, Vice President
Ken has served on the board of the Dart Foundation since his parents founded it in 1984. After earning a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Michigan in 1976, Ken joined Dart Container Corporation as an engineer. Ken led the company as president from 1986 – 2014 and continues to serve on its Board of Directors. Ken is also on the board of Dart Enterprises Ltd., Dart Interests and the Kenneth B. Dart Foundation, which supports conservation, crisis relief, community services and STEM education.
Arianna Wooledge, Secretary
Arianna is a third generation Dart Family member who joined the Dart Foundation Board in 2021. She is passionate about preserving her Family’s legacy and about improving the quality of life in local communities. Arianna is also a life-long volunteer and consistently offers the gift of time to several Dart Foundation grantees. In addition to her philanthropic work, she holds the title of Special Projects Manager at Dart Container Corporation, where she works on key initiatives. She is a graduate of Tulane University – A.B. Freeman School of Business.
Jackie Doak
Jackie has been working with the Dart Family for several decades. With 20 years of real estate, hospitality and business development experience, Jackie is a Director at Dart Enterprises, Ltd. and Dart Interests. She also serves as Director on both the Kenneth B. Dart Foundation and the R3 Cayman Foundation, where she chairs the fundraising committee. Jackie received her undergraduate degree from Holy Cross and her Juris Doctorate with Honors from the University of Florida Law School. She is an Honorary Rotarian of the Rotary Club of Grand Cayman.
Our Staff
Emily Matthews, Executive Director
Emily serves as the Executive Director of the Dart Foundation. Since 2015, Emily has overseen the charitable work of the Foundation in over twenty U.S. communities and other philanthropic endeavors nationwide. Previously, she served as Chief Operating Officer at the Capital Region Community Foundation, Associate General Counsel at Delta Dental and as a partner at the Michigan-based firm Foster, Swift. Emily earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan and her Juris Doctorate from the Indiana University Maurer School of Law.
Traci Goulding, Program Associate
Leanne Richard, Program Associate
