About Us
Committed to giving back to the New York City community
We are proud to support various local causes through both our time and financial contributions.
Our company, Himmel + Meringoff Properties, as well as our owners and staff, have always been deeply committed to giving back to the New York City community. Our firm is a major supporter to the New York Police Foundation, the FDNY Foundation, the Actors Fund, and MS research at Tisch Foundation.
We proudly sponsor local community groups in the five boroughs, including the Morris Park Community Association, the Muslim American Society of Upper New York, and the Van Nest Neighborhood Alliance. Our firm and employees have participated in events with City Harvest and Memorial Sloan Kettering. We also participate each year with Ladders for Leaders and host Pencil interns to provide work-based learning experiences for New York City public school high school students.
Transformative giving to programs throughout New York City
Stephen Meringoff, in particular, has demonstrated remarkable philanthropic dedication, focusing primarily on public education initiatives through the Meringoff Family Foundation. The Foundation’s philanthropic mission and focus is to change and improve the lives of young economically disadvantaged New Yorkers, particularly through transformative giving to programs that focus on New York City public education. Programs range from preschool and early reading and creative play, support for after-school remedial education and dance for lower and middle school youth and include grants for organizations that focus on increasing high school graduation rates and college and vocational counseling.
Steve has served on several charitable boards such as the Alvin Ailey Dance Company and the Leadership Council of the New York Stem Cell Foundation, the Reading Team in Harlem, the Boards of the Brearley School and the City of Hope National Medical Center, and has been honored with the Public-School Champion award by Pencil Inc., where he also served on the board. Steve’s involvement extends to the Board of Directors of the New York Landmarks Conservancy. His past service includes contributions to the Midtown South Preservation and Development Committee and the Park Avenue South Association. Moreover, he is a valued member of the Association for a Better New York, the Real Estate Council of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and has been part of the Urban Land Institute for over four decades.
Company-wide dedication to philanthropy
Leslie Himmel is deeply committed to philanthropy and community advancement. The White Plains native is a passionate supporter of organizations improving the lives of young people across the New York City metro area. Her long-standing partnership with Spark Youth NYC, which provides educational support to children in underserved communities, honored her with its esteemed Champions for Youth Award in 2021. Leslie has dedicated significant time mentoring and advancing young women in New York City real estate. She also funds scholarships and mentors young women in real estate at Wharton, University of Pennsylvania. As a Board member of the Harvard Business School Alumni Club, she established The Women’s Student Association Fellowship Fund to award scholarships to deserving students.
Leslie also leverages her leadership roles to strengthen communities citywide. She serves on the Real Estate Board of New York’s Executive Committee and Board of Governors, where she founded and leads the Economic Development Committee, which partners with city officials to drive economic development. Additionally, she is active in organizations shaping New York’s future, including The Partnership for New York City, the Urban Land Institute, and YPO Big Apple Gold.
Jason Vacker is deeply involved in community engagement initiatives across New York City. He serves on the executive board of the Flatiron NoMad Partnership, which is dedicated to public safety, homeless outreach, streetscape beautification, and district advocacy. He is also a board member of the Times Square Business Alliance, where he supports efforts to enhance public safety, maintain sanitation, and promote the Crossroads Program, which provides free benefits to local employees and residents. In addition, Jason has been a long-time board member of the SoHo Broadway Partnership, working to improve quality of life through public safety, sidewalk cleaning and maintenance, community development, and advocacy initiatives. Jason is also a founding member of the Eric J. Bader Foundation, which supports young athletes in underserved communities by improving sports facilities and creating opportunities for success, and is a proud supporter of Hit the Books, an organization founded in 2019 to expand educational resources for the Harlem community. He and his wife, Jill, along with their two sons, live in New York City and are supporters and active members of the Columbia Grammar & Preparatory School community.