Founder of Social-Justice Charity Seeks Common Ground

By Peter Panepento

Alan Jenkins had what seemed like the ideal platform for someone who has dedicated his career to promoting social justice.

As director of human-rights grant making at the Ford Foundation, in New York, Mr. Jenkins helped set the agenda for one of the world's largest philanthropies.

It was the type of work he had always coveted — a chance to work full time to help foster equality and offer support to those devastated by tragedy and squalor.

But even as he lived