how much did rockefeller donate to charity (aka “philanthropic causes”) during his time?

by Ben Lynch V 4 min read

Did you know John D Rockefeller donated $500 million to charity?

Jan 08, 2020 · Correspondingly, who did Rockefeller donate his money to? After the war, he donated land for the United Nations headquarters, a gift that figured prominently in the decision to locate the world organization in the United States. In 1958 he donated $5 million for the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City.

Who were the philanthropists of the Rockefeller family?

Did Rockefeller donate money? Retired from his day to day experiences, Rockefeller donated more than $500 million dollars to various educational, religious, and scientific causes through the Rockefeller Foundation. He funded the establishment of the University of Chicago and the Rockefeller Institute, among many other philanthropic endeavors.

What is the Rockefeller system of philanthropy?

Mr. Rockefeller's benefactions from 1855 to 1934 totaled $530,853,632, of which the greater amount went to the four great foundations he established for the purpose of handling his charities. They were the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research, the Rockefeller Foundation, the Laura Spelman Rockefeller Memorial, in memory of his wife, and ...

What did John D Rockefeller give to the Anti-Saloon League?

How much money did Rockefeller give to charity?

During his life Rockefeller donated more than $500 million to various philanthropic causes.Apr 9, 2010

Did Rockefeller believe in charity?

In his personal life, Rockefeller was deeply religious, an abolitionist, and an advocate of the temperance movement. He encouraged others to “think of giving not as a duty but as a privilege.” Though he was an unashamed businessman, his philanthropy in later life proved him to be a man of generosity as well.

When did Rockefeller start philanthropy?

From 1855, when JDR gave his first philanthropic gift, until almost the turn of the 20th century, Rockefeller's giving was spread across many individuals and institutions and largely focused on the Baptist church itself and universities founded as Baptist institutions, such as the University of Chicago and Spelman ...

What charities did Rockefeller support?

Created Great Foundations They were the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research, the Rockefeller Foundation, the Laura Spelman Rockefeller Memorial, in memory of his wife, and the General Education Board. The University of Chicago was another large beneficiary.

What did Rockefeller do after he died?

With his son's help, he created the Rockefeller Foundation, to carry on his work after he died.

How did Rockefeller manage risk?

Early on, Rockefeller keenly understood ways of managing risk. While he knew oil speculators could potentially reap huge profits if they hit a deposit, he also knew that they faced substantial financial loss, if they failed in that effort. For this reason, he strategically narrowed his focus to the refining business, where profits were smaller but more stable. And through robust research and development, he discovered ways to exploit the traditionally discarded oil by-products, by using them to create lubricants, paints, and other useful items.

What did Rockefeller see as a ruinous influence?

Rockefeller saw the cutthroat competition in the oil industry as a ruinous influence and began methodically stamping it out. By 1890, his company, Standard Oil of Ohio, was enjoying major profits, which he used to buy out competitors.

Who said the first rate intelligence test is the ability to hold two opposing ideas in the mind at the same time?

F. Scott Fitzgerald famously said, “The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in the mind at the same time, and still retain the ability to function.”. By that standard, Rockefeller may be one of the most intelligent people to ever live.

Who was Rockefeller's father?

Rockefeller's father, William Avery Rockefeller, led a nomadic life selling goods across the country, while his mother raised the children. After his family eventually took root in Cleveland Ohio, Rockefeller received an unusually good education for his time, and found work as a commission house clerk at the age of 16.

When did Standard Oil break up?

The government disliked the near-total monopoly in the oil industry and consequently broke up the trust in 1892. In response, Standard Oil's legal team quickly converted the trust into a holding company, that functioned like a trust, but was outside of the legal definition.

Who is Andrew Beattie?

Andrew Beattie was part of the original editorial team at Investopedia and has spent twenty years writing on a diverse range of financial topics including business, investing, personal finance, and trading.

Early Life and Education

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Rockefeller’s father, William Avery Rockefeller, led a nomadic life as a snake-oil salesman who called himself a physician, while his mother raised their six children. After his family eventually took root in Strongsville, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland, Rockefeller dropped out of high school and found work as a commission house cl…
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Notable Accomplishments

  • Strategic Focus
    In 1870 Rockefeller, Andrews, and Flagler incorporated into Standard Oil, which in a mere two years controlled all the oil refineries in Cleveland. Rockefeller keenly understood ways of managing risk. While he knew oil speculators could potentially reap huge profits if they hit a dep…
  • An Innovative Trust
    In 1881 Standard Oil was placed under the control of a nine-trustee board, with Rockefeller at the head. He and his partners innovated this first-of-its-kind trust, where they swapped their individual holdings for shares in the trust.3 Rockefeller now wielded centralized control and veto power on …
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Wealth and Philanthropy

  • A devout Baptist, Rockefeller believed that God had blessed him with the ability to make money and saw no contradiction between his ruthless business methods and his faith. Indeed, he thought the division of the world into rich and poor was part of God’s plan. Or, in his own words, “It has seemed as if I was favored and got increase because the Lord knew that I was going to turn …
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Legacy

  • Certainly one of Rockefeller’s main legacies is federal antitrust legislation, as well as laws strengthening unions. During his lifetime (and after) many people understandably faulted Rockefeller for the radical means through which he cultivated his fortune. Still, his business practices and charities have benefited millions of people. The Rockefeller Foundation continues …
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The Bottom Line

  • Billionaire John D. Rockefeller was both admired and loathed, but there is no getting around the fact of his importance as both the principal founder of the Standard Oil monopoly and a world-class philanthropist. His legacy continues today thanks to the work of the Rockefeller Foundation, as well as ongoing institutions he founded such as the University of Chicago and the Rockefelle…
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