Edward Filene

“There is plenty of money to be had in this country for research merely for the sake of research but far too little of it for intelligent and effective application. Of course, I am not opposed to scientific investigations but I am convinced that the Twentieth Century Fund should only support those which are defintely directed to constructive action.” —Edward Filene

Founder of TCF. Served as president and trustee from 1919 to his death in 1937. Boston merchant and president of Wm. Filene’s Sons Company as well as the founder of the Credit Union National Association, the Consumer Distribution Corpora­tion, and the Good Will Fund. He was co-founder in 1915 of the League to Enforce Peace and authored books on business theory and management.