NEW YORK, NY (April, 10, 2026) — Citizens Union Foundation today announced the launch of the George S. Kaufman Forums, a new flagship speaker series dedicated to wide-ranging, solutions-oriented conversations on the public policy issues shaping New York City. The Forums are made possible through the generous support of the George S. Kaufman Charitable Foundation.

Named in memory of George S. Kaufman, a longtime Citizens Union Foundation board member and committed civic leader, the Forum will bring together elected officials, policymakers, academics, journalists, and community leaders for in-depth dialogue on the challenges and opportunities facing New York. Events will be livestreamed, reflecting Citizens Union Foundation’s commitment to making civic discourse accessible to all New Yorkers.

George S. Kaufman was one of New York’s most consequential civic leaders and philanthropists. A real estate developer and cultural visionary, he transformed a derelict Astoria, Queens movie studio into Kaufman Astoria Studios, a world-class production facility. His investment catalyzed the broader revitalization of northwest Queens, anchored today by the Kaufman Arts District and the Museum of the Moving Image. Beyond his business legacy, Kaufman served on the boards of the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Fashion Institute of Technology, the Museum of the Moving Image, and Citizens Union Foundation, reflecting a lifelong commitment to culture, education, and civic life in New York City.

“The George S. Kaufman Forum represents exactly the kind of engaging civic dialogue that New York needs right now,” said John Avlon, Board Chairman of Citizens Union. “We are deeply grateful to the George S. Kaufman Charitable Foundation for this transformational investment in our mission, and we are honored to carry George S. Kaufman’s legacy forward through this work. At a moment when civic institutions matter more than ever, this Forum will be a signature space where ideas meet action and steer towards solutions.”

The inaugural George S. Kaufman Forum will be held on Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at 8:30 AM at The Greene Space, 44 Charlton Street, NY, NY. The event, titled “New Council, New Visions: Building a Local Democracy the Public Can Trust,” will open with a conversation with New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin, moderated by Citizens Union Chairman John Avlon.

The Forum will also feature a panel of new and veteran Council Members: Minority Leader Council Member David Carr (Staten Island), Council Member Shekar Krishnan (Queens), Council Member Justin Sanchez (Bronx), and an additional panelist to be announced soon. The panel will be moderated by Citizens Union Foundation Executive Director Grace Rauh.

About Citizens Union Foundation

For more than a century, Citizens Union has been leading the fight for reform in New York. We are a nonpartisan good government group that serves as a civic watchdog to combat corruption. We are New Yorkers from diverse backgrounds and political beliefs, united in our commitment to put the public interest ahead of all special interests. We work to ensure honest and accountable government, fair and open elections, and a civically engaged public. Principled and pragmatic, Citizens Union is an independent force for constructive reform, driving policy solutions to achieve responsible and responsive government in the City and State of New York.

About the George S. Kaufman Forum

The George S. Kaufman Forum is Citizens Union Foundation’s flagship speaker series on public policy and civic life in New York City. Named in honor of George S. Kaufman, a longtime Citizens Union Foundation board member, real estate developer, and dedicated civic leader, the Forum is made possible through the generous support of the George S. Kaufman Charitable Foundation. The Forum brings together policymakers, advocates, academics, journalists and community leaders for important conversations on the issues shaping our city. Held four times a year and available via livestream, the Forum reflects Citizens Union’s commitment to making civic dialogue accessible to all New Yorkers.