Vincent McGee
American philanthropist and human rights advocate
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Vincent McGee (born c. 1940s) is an American philanthropist, human rights advocate, and non-profit executive. He is best known for his leadership of the Aaron Diamond Foundation and the Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center, which was a leading private funder of HIV/AIDS research in the United States, and for his landmark U.S. Supreme Court case regarding conscientious objection.[1]
Early life and legal precedent
McGee attended the University of Rochester and later pursued graduate studies at the Union Theological Seminary. During the Vietnam War, he refused to cooperate with the Selective Service System on moral and religious grounds. In April 1967, McGee famously wrote to President Lyndon B. Johnson declaring his intent to "sever every link with violence and war."[2]
His refusal led to the legal case McGee v. United States (402 U.S. 479), which reached the Supreme Court of the United States in 1971. Justice Thurgood Marshall, writing for the Court, upheld his conviction on procedural grounds regarding the "exhaustion of administrative remedies."[2] McGee served one year in federal prison (1971–1972) and was adopted as a Prisoner of Conscience by Amnesty International. In 1975, he received a full presidential pardon from Gerald Ford.[3] "[4]
Career in philanthropy
The Aaron Diamond Foundation
From 1985 to 1996, McGee served as the Executive Director of the Aaron Diamond Foundation. He oversaw a "spend-down" strategy that distributed over $220 million in a single decade, focusing on New York City-based projects in medical research and minority education.[5]
Under his leadership, the foundation helped establish the Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center (ADARC) in 1991. The foundation’s $50 million investment in AIDS research made it the largest private supporter of such research in the U.S. at the time.[6]
Leadership and Advisory Roles
McGee has held numerous senior positions in the philanthropic sector, including:
- The Atlantic Philanthropies: Senior Advisor on program strategy and the "Giving While Living" philosophy.[7]
- The Irene Diamond Fund: Vice President (1994–2002).
- Robert Sterling Clark Foundation: Interim President and CEO (2014–2016).[1]
- Tides: Board Chair during a significant leadership transition.
Human rights advocacy
McGee served as the Board Chair of Amnesty International USA from 1980 to 1982.[8] He also held leadership roles within Human Rights Watch and served on the board of PATH.
Honors and recognition
- Honorary Doctor of Laws (LL.D.), City University of New York (CUNY) Graduate Center, 2003.