GAP Tribute to Stewart Mott

Today the staff and board members of the Government Accountability Project (GAP) mourn the passing of Steward R. Mott, a well-known philanthropist who died Thursday night. Throughout his life, Stewart gave generously to progressive causes, including non-profit organizations advocating governmental reform. His daily commitment to fulfilling his family’s motto, “let us be known by our deeds”, that made him a figure worth remembering, honoring and emulating. 

His deeds included fervent advocacy for good government and a fierce defense of the Constitution, most notably the Bill of Rights and the many rights and liberties deriving from that document. He sought to stimulate an aware and vigilant American populace to demand an open, accountable government. In 1974, he created the Fund for Constitutional Government, a charitable nonprofit organization that, along with its founder, passionately and generously supported the Government Accountability Project (GAP) and many other good government groups.

His Washington, DC home was a bastion of intellectual thought and discussion.  Over the years it was home to the Women’s Campaign Fund, the Military Families Support Network, and the ACLU. While this house is considered the home of DC’s progressive movement, Mr. Mott himself described it as, “a beehive of unconventional activity, skewed in favor of truth and justice, but tolerant of and interested in all points of view”. 

Mr. Mott was a philanthropic giant – a man who never stopped “seeking tangible change”. He was outspoken, passionate, committed, compassionate and righteous. Although his presence and leadership will be profoundly missed, his spirit lives on amongst those individuals and groups that he himself supported with a deep sense of loyalty and commitment. The thoughts, best wishes and prayers of all those closely associated with GAP go out to his family and friends.