Mike & Jane Deland Fund

A black and white photo of a man in a suit smiling.A woman in a blue dress with a corsage and short brown hair is smiling.

The Mike and Jane Deland Fund was established in honor of Michael “Mike” Reeves Deland and Elsa Jeannette “Jane” Slocum Deland. The Fund supports workforce development and job training opportunities for people with disabilities.

The Fund was initially established in January 2022 by Mike Deland’s college roommates, Charlton Ames and William “Nick” Bancroft, to honor Mike’s memory and legacy. Following Jane Deland’s passing in 2026, her name was added to the Fund to honor her life and her enduring commitment to the FDR Memorial and its mission.

Mike Deland left a lasting legacy through his contributions to environmental stewardship and disability rights. He served as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy, New England Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, Chairman of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, and Chairman and President of the National Organization on Disability. He was also a competitive sailor, attorney, husband, father of three, and wheelchair user.

A man in a wheelchair with a red tie and suit in front of a statue of a man sitting with a cape draped over him.

Mike Deland at the FDR Memorial.

Mike became progressively disabled throughout his lifetime but, as his friends often noted, never wavered in his tenacity, vitality, or character. He was deeply committed to environmental protection, particularly the cleanup of Boston Harbor and the preservation of sensitive New England wetlands, and was among the earliest government officials to warn about the dangers of global warming.

Following his White House service, Mike devoted himself to disability rights and became a leading advocate for disability representation at the FDR Memorial in Washington, D.C. His efforts in the 1990s helped bring about the addition of the FDR wheelchair statue, an important symbol of disability representation and inclusion. Mike described the statue as his “most enduring accomplishment.”

Jane Deland co-founded the FDR Memorial Foundation in 2019 and served as Vice Chair of its Board of Directors. She played an instrumental role in establishing the Foundation and helping to carry forward Mike’s legacy. Jane made the Foundation’s first financial contribution, helping launch the organization and establish its early foundation for growth.

Three people stand around a bronze statue of a man in a wheelchair. They are smiling.

Left to right: Scott Slocum, Jane Deland’s brother; Jane Deland; and Steven Graham, son of Robert Graham, sculptor of the FDR wheelchair statue, 2022.

Jane was deeply committed to preserving the Memorial’s unique seven-and-a-half-acre landscape so that future generations could experience and enjoy this important place. Through her advocacy, leadership, and generosity, she supported the Foundation’s mission at every level—from strategic planning and fundraising to making significant personal contributions in honor of Mike.

Jane lived a full and vibrant life defined by dedication, faith, and athletic excellence. An extraordinary athlete, she was both a New England and National Squash Champion, an achievement that led to her induction into the Smith College Athletic Hall of Fame. On the water, she and Mike raced together and won several Shields National Championships.

In addition to her work with the FDR Memorial Foundation, Jane served as Chief Development Officer and Special Assistant to the President of Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. She also served as a Trustee of the American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem and as Secretary of the Holy Land Christians Society.

The Mike and Jane Deland Fund is administered by the FDR Memorial Foundation as an ongoing tribute to their lives and to the qualities they shared: optimism, courage, indefatigable determination, and a deep commitment to opportunity, equality, and inclusion.

We are proud to recognize the individuals who have benefited from the Fund and, through its support, have gained meaningful workforce opportunities and job training. Their experiences reflect the enduring legacy of Mike and Jane Deland and their belief in creating opportunities for people with disabilities to contribute, lead, and thrive. 

  • Tewelde Semere, University of the District of Columbia
  • Derrick Simms, University of the District of Columbia
  • Isabel Sabre, American University
  • Joshua Nelson, Melwood, Inc. 
  • Olivia Holmes, Kalamazoo College
  • Isabella Zoslow, American University
  • Sarah Dunville, University of Maryland

To learn more about opportunities, contact mary@fdrmemoriallegacy.com