Matthew Wilburn King

Founder | Executive Board Member

Founding Vision (2007)

Dr. Matthew Wilburn King is the Founder of Our COMMON Foundation, which he established in 2007 to explore new models of philanthropy, social entrepreneurship, and creative incubation.

Eighteen Years of Incubation and Impact

Over more than 18 years, he guided the organization through an extended period of experimentation, learning, and service—supporting artists, social innovators, conservationists, and community leaders working at the intersection of creativity, justice, sustainability, and human dignity.

A Lean, Incubation Model

Under Matthew’s leadership, Our COMMON Foundation incubated and fiscally sponsored more than 40 initiatives, helped catalyze over $5.2 million in mission-aligned capital, and contributed to work impacting more than 50,000 people globally. The Foundation became known for its lean, adaptive approach—operating as an incubator and philanthropic social enterprise rather than a traditional grant-making charity.

Leadership Transition and Governance Role

In December 2025, following Board approval and the conclusion of the Foundation’s incubation program, Matthew formally stepped out of the CEO role and day-to-day leadership. He now serves as Founder and Executive Board Member, focused on governance, stewardship, and long-term continuity, while operational leadership rests fully with program leads and the Board of Directors.

The Foundation’s Next Chapter

As the Foundation enters its next chapter, Parsonage Gallery, founded and curated by Dr. Aaron Rosen, serves as Our COMMON Foundation’s flagship program—a historic space for contemporary art and spiritual ecology in Maine. The documentary film Ukraine Under Fire, directed by Jordan Campbell, will continue screenings and public education through 2026 to raise awareness of the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Beyond the Foundation

Matthew is an author, scholar, and explorer whose work examines how human systems—ecological, economic, political, and cultural—adapt in times of profound change. A graduate of the University of Cambridge, he has worked in more than 45 countries with governments, scientists, and communities, and his writing spans narrative nonfiction, academic, and public scholarship. He’s now trying his hand at fiction as he completes his debut novel, Vanished.

Current Focus

Today, Matthew’s primary focus is on long-form writing, creative exploration, and philosophical inquiry, while supporting Our COMMON Foundation’s mission through thoughtful governance and by making space for more creativity.

A New Chapter for Our COMMON Foundation_Transition_Letter_12.25.25_Public

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