Faces of Philanthropy » Science and Technology

Mickey Beyer-Clausen Philanthropy

admin — Mon, 17 May 2010 17:46:28 +0000

Born in Copenhagen, Denmark on April 3rd 1975, Mickey Beyer-Clausen is a famous Danish philanthropist and entrepreneur. An economics and management graduate from Niels Brock, Julius Thompsens Plads, Denmark in 1994, he is currently living in Southampton, NY, with wife Allison and daughter Anna. Through the course of his career, he has founded and cofounded several technology companies, including Payment Systems, Speednames, Afilias, Ascio Technologies, Trunk Archive and Mental Workout.

Following the consecutive development of such companies under the technology sector, Beyer-Clausen decided to establish a continuing change in the world by helping people, particularly those who are in need of the basic necessities for survival. He wanted to put his skills in business, financial resources, as well as people network, to work and make efforts for good causes.

In 2002, Mickey Beyer-Clausen formed a 501(c)3 private charity organization called the Happiness Foundation, which provides support to several aid groups from around the world with tactical pro bono consultancy. It helps business executives and leaders to share their knowledge to assist nonprofits in promoting their cause. It acts as a matchmaker between Charitable Projects and Volunteer Consultants.

That same year, he earned the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year award in recognition of and for putting up such an effective foundation that makes a significant difference in the world.

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Naveen Jain Philanthropy

admin — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 21:31:57 +0000

As the founder and CEO of Intelius, Naveen Jain has been recognized numerous times as a visionary entrepreneur and successful businessman. < a href="http://www.naveenjain.us">Naveen Jain graduated from the Indian Institute of Technology in 1979 and worked for Microsoft Corporation for a number of years as a senior executive. He founded Intelius in 2003. Since striking out on his own, Naveen Jain has been named one of the Top 20 Entrepreneurs by Red Herring, recognized for winning the Albert Einstein Technology Medal Winner, and received the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2007. Naveen Jain has also participated as a keynote speaker and panelist at a number of business conventions. He is currently a board member for TIE and Intelius. Naveen Jain contributes to a number of philanthropies and nonprofit organizations relating to education, children, and solving hunger.

Some of the charities Naveen Jain has contributed to include organizations dedicated to helping children in the community, such as the Bellevue Boys and Girls Club, Hopelink, Kindering Care, Treehouse, Peps, and Cry-Child Relief
Naveen Jain also supports philanthropic organizations that benefit the Indian and South Asian community through education, research, spreading cultural awareness, and a variety of social needs. Naveen Jain’s contributions include donations to Indian American Education Foundation, Chaya, the National Bureau of Asian Research, the Vedic Cultural Center, ASHA, and SMVA Trust.
In addition, Naveen Jain has also donated to medical facilities, research institutions and community programs such as United Way, Children’s Hospital, Overlake Service League, and IAFF Firefighters.
Finally, Naveen Jain has made contributions to education and the arts, including donations to University Prep, University of Washington, and the Seattle Art Museum.

A full list of the charities and nonprofits that enjoys the support of Intelius and Naveen Jain can be found on the Intelius Philanthropy Page. Naveen Jain also keeps a blog tracking his and Intelius community efforts at Naveen Jain NonProfit News, which chronicles the nonprofits that he supports.

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William Coleman Philanthropy

admin — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 17:35:28 +0000

Founder and currently the Chief Executive Officer of Cassat Corporation, William T. Coleman III is a bearer of hope for many in Colorado. The 61-year old former Chairman and CEO (1995-2001) of BEA Systems Incorporated in San Jose, California was also a co-founder of the global software company that specializes in e-business infrastructure.

William “Bill” Coleman’s network of influence includes the Silicon Valley Leadership Group (as its chairman), Council on Foreign Relations, and The American Electronics Association (as board of directors member). At present, he is a key member of the boards of Palm and Symantec.

In comparison to most philanthropists, William Coleman and his wife Claudia choose not to spread their donations too thinly over numerous organizations. Instead, they take a local and hands-on approach when it comes to their philanthropic efforts. Their devotion to philanthropy is a result of their concern for their niece’s cognitive disability. However, in the mid 1980’s, with the advent of technology and the computer, they saw for themselves how her focus, dexterity and learning skills have significantly improved.

Thus, their enthusiasm in finding treatments for cognitive disabilities with technology ignited their desire to support an institution that focuses on research and projects geared toward this particular cause.

• In 2000, together with his wife, William Coleman initiated a long-term partnership with the University of Colorado. In a year’s time, the Coleman Institute for Cognitive Disabilities began its operations, dedicating its advanced development and research capacities to the improvement of the lives of the afflicted.

• As written in the Institute’s mission, it exists solely “to catalyze and integrate advances in science, engineering and technology to promote the quality of life and independent living of people with cognitive disabilities.”

• William T. and Claudia L. Coleman continue to give annual contributions to the original private endowment of $250 million in order to further the Institute’s programs and research projects.

• The Coleman-Turner Chair in Cognitive Disability was a position created through the couple’s generous endowment. David Braddock, PhD, Associate Vice President of the University of Colorado, has been executive director since its institution.

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Robert Meyerhoff Philanthropy

admin — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 19:12:25 +0000

One of BusinessWeek’s consistent elite 50 most Generous Philanthropists, Robert Meyerhoff, has built his reputation on exemplary work ethic and magnanimity. Ever since 1945, he has unceasingly committed to making great things possible in both the arts and sciences. With his wife, Jane, he began his post-World War II art collection — which he later donated in its entirety to Washington D.C’s National Gallery of Art.

A historical figure in various sectors for charity,

As it evolved, Robert Meyerhoff’s initiative began to provide financial, academic, and guidance to both men and women from diverse backgrounds, all with a passion for the sciences as a common factor. Its graduates have all distinguished themselves in their respective fields, after making a name for themselves in exclusive top-tier universities such as Harvard, Stanford, Cornel, and Hopkins, among others.

The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology profiles UMBC as the top institution in the total number of undergraduate chemistry and biochemistry degrees awarded to African Americans and second in the total number of the same degrees for minorities.

UMBC also received a significant contribution for the chemistry and biochemistry facility renovations. It eventually became the Robert and Jane Meyerhoff Chemistry Building. This has been fitted with only the best teaching labs and instrumentation, a laser laboratory, new mass spectrometry facility, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometers.

Coming into age during the Great Depression and World War II, Robert Meyerhoff comes from a generation dedicated to giving back to the country and local communities. Born in 1924, he was eligible for drafting. After his military service, he returned home to Baltimore where he entered the family’s construction business. Robert Meyerhoff is a civil engineer alumnus of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Professionally, he is well-known and held in high regard within the real estate development industry. His other personal pursuits are collecting art, thoroughbred horse breeding, and other philanthropic activities.

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Paul Allen Philanthropy

admin — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 00:02:43 +0000

The most remarkable thing about Paul Gardner Allen is not so much the huge sums he consistently gives to his diverse advocacies and projects, but the fact that he is personally involved with each. Furthermore, he does not broadcast his activities and prefers instead to steadfastly work for his foundation.

Recognized as the 12th Richest American, the 55-year old co-founder of Microsoft has a current net worth of $16 billion. Currently, Paul Allen is the chairman of Charter Communications, and the founder and chairman of his private asset management firm Vulcan Inc. His generous donations now collectively run to a total of more than $1 billion.

Paul Allen’s brand of giving revolves around his personal beliefs and passions. He looks at opportunities to invest in not-for-profit, and daringly innovative projects and groups. People have appropriately named this “venture philanthropy.”

Paul Allen’s campaigns are aligned with the needs of his local community – the Pacific Northwest. He champions and funds varied sectors from education to rock music, science fiction, detailed brain and spine mapping, to sports teams.

• One of his key pursuits is Vulcan Productions, creator of compelling documentaries, interesting feature films on different relevant topics, and television programs that make the arts and sciences available to more people. The company has already produced many noteworthy material including the television series “Evolution” (2001) shown on PBS, Emmy Award-winning documentary “Rx for Survival: A Global Health Challenge” (2005), and “Judgment Day: Intelligent Design on Trial,” which won the prestigious Peabody Award.

• Paul Allen also led efforts for and eventually founded several valuable institutions as part of his philanthropic commitment to the arts. One such remarkable project is the interactive music museum called the Experience Music Project (EMP) in Seattle. Other public sites include the Flying Heritage Collection, which houses authentic World War II aircrafts that have been fixed and are even ready to be flown right out the showroom. The Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame are also credited to Paul Allen’s benevolence.

• Founded in 1988, The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation exists as agents of transformation in the sectors of education and youth engagement, arts and culture, community development and social change, and science and technology innovations. The Kenneth S. Allen Library, named after his father, was built in the late 1980’s with their donation of $18 million to the University of Washington. In honor of his mother, the Faye G. Allen Center for Visual Arts was erected in 2003 using the $5 million given to the school.

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Herchel Smith Philanthropy

admin — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 22:24:52 +0000

Dr. Herchel Smith is the scientist who invented contraceptive pills. As a teacher at Manchester University, Herchel Smith was able to patent ways to synthesize new steroids. Moreover, the British chemist later invented important hormonal therapies. He is an outstanding alumnus of Cambridge University and Oxford University.

His excellence in the sciences was equaled by his generosity:

Herschel Smith left high-profile bequests to students and teachers at Queen Mary in the University of London through the annual Herchel Smith Senior Research Fellowship in Intellectual Property.
Cambridge University received its largest private donation ever from Herschel Smith: $90 million for professorships in molecular genetics, mathematics, biochemistry, and physics. Having studied at Emmanuel College in the university, Herchel also sponsored the university’s facility for magnetic resonance imaging and endowed chairs in immunology and chemistry.
Herchel Smith has donated money to Harvard University. The university received $100 million, which was also used to fund professorships.
Herschel Smith also sponsored an exchange program between Harvard and Cambridge universities. The program offered post-doctorate scholarships at Cambridge University for Harvard graduates and the same scholarship for Cambridge graduates to study at Harvard.

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Gordon Moore Philanthropy

admin — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 22:05:37 +0000

Gordon Moore is best known as the cofounder of Intel, as well as observer of Moore’s Law. He completed his undergraduate studies at Berkeley and received his PhD from Caltech.

Gordon Moore and his wife Betty established the Moore Foundation to target science, conservation, and higher education. The Foundation’s focus is funding outcome-based projects designed to improve the life of future peoples and encouraging collaboration among all of their grantees to maximize the outcomes for each initiative.
Moore and his wife gave $600 million to Caltech for research. These funds are to be for mutually agreed upon educational and scientific programs.

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Richard Li Philanthropy

admin — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 21:51:07 +0000

Richard Li Tzar Kai is the Chairman of PCCW, the largest telecommunication company in Hong Kong and a leader in Asia’s information technology services industry. Richard Li is a member of the Global Information Infrastructure Commission, the Center for Strategic and International Studies’ International Councilors Group in Washington, D.C., a Council Member of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and the Hong Kong Computer Society.

In 2003, the severe acute respiratory syndrome virus (SARS) devastated Asia and spread to 29 countries around the world, resulting in quarantines, travel restrictions, hysteria, and an estimated 774 deaths. Under the direction of Richard Li, PCCW rose to the aid of SARS victims by providing telecommunication services to patients, medical staff, and fundraisers. Richard Li volunteered PCCW to set video conferencing for quarantined SARS victims and volunteers to communicate with their families. Richard Li also directed PCCW to supply telephone hotline support for isolated patients and communities to receive medical and legal advice, a special story time program for children kept home to prevent infection, and call center support for charity fundraisers and community activists.

In addition to technical service, Richard Li and PCCW donated $1 million to the Business Community Relief Fund for victims of SARS. In his annual report for PCCW, Richard Li praised the company’s people for “their contribution to Hong Kong’s fight against SARS. Our people served the community through the company’s efforts to ease social and economic hardships- and many gave up their free time to work as volunteers.”

In 2007, PCCW volunteers participated in the District Elderly Campaign sponsored by the Oriental Daily News Charitable Fund, the Sun Charitable Fund, and Po Leung Kuk. The program supports the elderly by delivering gift packages to the elderly living in the Lower Ngau Tau Kok Estate.

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Irwin Jacobs Philanthropy

admin — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 21:29:09 +0000

Dr. Irwin M. Jacobs is a scientist and the co-founder and chairman of Qualcomm. As a scientist and businessman, Dr. Irwin Jacobs has made several contributions to technology. As a philanthropist, he has served by contributing his wealth to education and the arts.

Irwin Jacobs’ wrote the seminal textbook Principles of Communication Engineering in 1965, a textbook that pioneered important concepts in communication engineering.

As an engineer, Mr. Jacobs helped popularize the use of CDMA technology as a means of transmitting voice and data through wireless networks. Because of this technology, wireless communication has become accessible to people across the globe.

Irwin Jacobs has contributed hundreds of millions of dollars to the field of education through generous donations and grants to several schools and organizations. Most of these contributions went to fellowships and scholarships for deserving students, particularly in the field of engineering and computer science.

Irwin Jacobs has given grants to the following institutions/organizations:

$31 million to Massachusetts Institute of Technology (where Irwin Jacobs received his post-graduate degrees)
$15 million and another $110 million to University of California at San Diego (where Irwin Jacobs was professor of computer science and engineering for several years)
$62 million total to American Technion Society, Cornell University (Irwin Jacobs’ alma mater), KPBS Radio and Television, and San Diego Natural History Museum.

Dr. Irwin M. Jacobs has also given grants amounting to around $130 million to the following institutions:

La Jolla Playhouse
Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego
San Diego Symphony

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Bill Gates Philanthropy

admin — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 21:21:00 +0000

Bill Gates is the co-founder of Microsoft with Paul Allen, and the most visible CEO in the world. The Windows operating system placed Microsoft on the map and made the company synonymous with the PC. Gates’ tremendous wealth and generous philanthropy have garnered him praise and placed him in the elite of charitable givers. He is a ubiquitous presence on the world stage.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is a non-profit leader in global development. With a $31.9 billion endowment, the organization has provided $11 billion in grants since its 1994 inception. In 2006, Warren Buffet donated $10 million in shares to the foundation.
One program of the Gates Foundation is the Global Development Program, a program devoted to alleviating poverty and hunger in the developing world. This goal is to be achieved via a three pronged approach: supporting agricultural development, providing financial services for the poor, and increasing access to information through computing in libraries internationally.
The Gates Foundation Global Health Program devotes its resources two main areas. The first is increasing access to existing vaccines and drugs to fight common diseases in developing countries and the second is developing effective and practical healthcare solutions.

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Michael Dell Philanthropy

admin — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 21:10:16 +0000

Michael Dell was born in Houston, Texas. When he was fifteen, he took apart his first computer, an Apple II and then rebuilt it. After high school, Dell attended The University of Texas – Austin, where he studied biology. He started a computer company in his Dobie dorm room, which was the beginning of Dell, Inc.

Michael and his wife Susan established the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation. The foundation has an endowment of over one billion dollars, and funds initiatives and programs that promote public health and community for children.
The University of Texas – Austin has received a $50 million grant from the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation to promote excellence in children’s health and education. The gift is to be used for 3 new facilities at UT-Austin. These facilities are for the Dell Pediatric Research Institute, the Dell Computer Science Hall, and the Michael and Susan Dell Center for Advancement of Healthy Living.
The Michael and Susan Dell Foundation has also award $9 million in grants to help fund Texas Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (T-STEM) Academies and Centers. These programs will share best practices through the T-STEM network and enable schools to have access to professional development, curriculum and lesson plans.

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James Clark Philanthropy

admin — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 21:06:37 +0000

James H. Clark transformed companies into billion-dollar forays— Netscape, WebMD (formerly Healtheon), Hyperion, and Silicon Graphics. Jim Clark, along with Marc Andreessen, introduced the internet browser Netscape in 1994. Until 1998, Netscape took up 80% of the market.

Once a professor of electrical engineering at Stanford University, James Clark first delved into the technology business when he and some Stanford pupils organized Silicon Graphics, Inc. James Clark’s Silicon Graphics Company was the go-to company in Hollywood for special effects and three-dimensional computer imagery.

Many of Jim Clark’s philanthropic gifts were contributed to Stanford University where he was an electrical engineering professor:

James Clark was indebted to Stanford when he pledged $150 million to the university. Most of the money was used to erect the James H. Clark Center for Biomedical Engineering and Sciences for interdisciplinary biomedical research, including stem cell research. Some of the money also went to procure new educational materials, provide positions for faculty who will be a part of the research effort, and sponsor scholars among graduate students.
Aside from Stanford, James Clark also contributed $30-million to Tulane University in New Orleans, where James Clark took classes in high school.

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Andrew Carnegie Philanthropy

admin — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 20:42:28 +0000

Andrew Carnegie was born in Scotland, and made his fortune in the US steel and railroad industries. He was one of the first to state the precept that wealthy individuals had a moral obligation to give away their money.

Carnegie was passionate about education. His wealth was used to fund numerous libraries, schools, and universities internationally. In 1881, Carnegie spent over $56 million to establish free public libraries.
Carnegie started Carnegie Institute of Technology in Pittsburgh, and the name later changed to Carnegie Mellon University. By the end of his life, Carnegie had given $350 million, and left $125 million with the Carnegie Corporation to continue giving to society.

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