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The Philanthropy 50: Americans Who Gave the Most in 2008
H.F. (Gerry) and Marguerite B. Lenfest
Rank: 14
Total amount committed in 2008: $139.9-million
Location: Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania
Source of wealth: Media and entertainment
Other key beneficiaries: Washington and Lee University, Barnes Foundation, and Columbia University School of Law
Donors' background: Mr. Lenfest founded Lenfest Communications, in Wilmington, Del. He sold the company to Comcast in 2000.
Mr. Lenfest, 78, and his wife, Marguerite, 75, pledged $27-million to the Philadelphia Museum of Art for endowment, and they pledged $25-million to the Curtis Institute of Music, also in Philadelphia. The money will go toward new housing for students and a rehearsal hall.
Mr. Lenfest is chairman of the Board of Trustees at both the museum and the music institute. No details were available about the donors' schedule for paying the pledges.
The Lenfests also pledged $20-million to the Williamson Free School of Mechanical Trades, in Media, Pa., for endowment. Of the total pledged, $5-million has been paid. The gift to the school is part of a matching agreement between the Lenfests and another couple, Henry M. and Lee Rowan, who also pledged to give the school $20-million.
In addition, Mr. and Ms. Lenfest pledged $17-million to Washington and Lee University, in Lexington, Va., to establish two endowments, one of which will support yearlong faculty sabbaticals, and the other of which will support faculty summer research projects. The university must raise money from other donors to begin receiving the pledged amount. The Lenfests plan to make payments on the pledge in 2010, when the university is scheduled to kick off the public phase of its capital campaign. The couple made another matching pledge of $15-million to Columbia University School of Law, in New York. As with the Washington and Lee pledge, Columbia must raise money from other donors to receive all of the pledged amount from the Lenfests.
Mr. and Ms. Lenfest also pledged $3-million to Business Leadership Organized for Catholic Schools, and $1-million to Independence Seaport Museum, both of which are in Philadelphia.
Along with the pledges they made last year, the couple also gave $15-million --of which $7.5-million has been paid-- to the Barnes Foundation, a Merion, Pa., organization that houses an art collection, gives classes, and operates a 12-acre arboretum and a library. They gave $2.4-million to Natural Lands Trust, in Media, so the group can buy land for conservation; $1.5-million to Mastery Charter Schools, in Philadelphia; and $1-million each to the Library of Congress, in Washington; the Salvation Army, in Alexandria, Va.; and Swarthmore College, in Pennsylvania.
In addition, the Lenfests made gifts totaling $10-million to about 250 nonprofit groups, including HMS School for Children With Cerebral Palsy and the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, both in Philadelphia; the Philadelphia Orchestra; and American Friends of Israel Museum, Catholic Medical Mission Board, and Teach for America, all in New York.
About These Data
The giving figures listed for each individual are based on donations announced to date by the donors or their beneficiaries. In cases of bequests, most of the figures are estimates because the wills have not been settled. For news of gift announcements in 2009, visit the America's Top Donors database.
If you know about a recent gift of $1-million or more that should be added to this directory, please send a message to gifts@philanthropy.com.