Introduction by Darren Walker
To anyone who has ever questioned whether philanthropy is necessary, I say: Look around. Today—as in countless crises before—philanthropies and charitable-minded Americans are first to step in with resources and relief.
We’ve seen it time and again: In the aftermath of terrorism, tragedy, and trauma, the generous and the just respond with speed and flexibility to help those most affected. This agility and responsiveness make philanthropy unique; we serve a role that government can’t, or won’t, or has been prevented from serving. And it makes philanthropy a vital public good, in these times and all times.
In this package, we explore and extol the best examples of philanthropy during these challenging times. We celebrate the inspiring generosity of countless individuals across the country: people donating meals to food banks and supplies to hospitals, providing cash assistance to restaurant workers and funds for the arts.
In New York City, for example, a group of major foundations joined together to raise more than $90 million to support nonprofits serving the city’s most vulnerable. Similar efforts have coalesced in communities nationwide: Local philanthropists have created major Covid-19 response funds everywhere from Atlanta to Chicago, Charlotte to Seattle. They are led by wealthy families—the Blanks in Atlanta, the Crowns and Pritzkers in Chicago, David Tepper in Charlotte, the Ballmers, Gateses, and Schultzes in Seattle, and many more—plus legacy institutions, including the one I am privileged to steward.
In short, this crisis demonstrates why philanthropy—why these extraordinary individuals and institutions, and everything you’ll read about in this issue—is essential and inspiring.
Of course, for all the things philanthropy can do, there are things it cannot.
This crisis is unlike anything we have faced. In the past, calamities have mostly occurred in one place, while people from elsewhere have come to the rescue. The Covid-19 pandemic, however, touches each and every one of us and the entire planet. Too often it feels as if communities are on their own. People who regularly face inequality have been hit disproportionately hard, while the cracks in our systems have become increasingly clear.
Compounding the challenge, government has been slow to respond. Indeed, if this crisis demonstrates why philanthropy is essential, it also demonstrates why a competent, well-resourced government is vital and essential. Weak and ineffective government makes it harder for philanthropies to carry out our role in the matrix of support for our country’s most vulnerable.
In the best of times, government can be a partner to philanthropy that builds on—and makes lasting—the work of our grantees. Sadly, our political institutions and capabilities have been systematically eroded over the last few decades, and now, as they are challenged as never before by Covid-19, those most in need are the most at risk in America.
During this crisis we also rely on the private sector to provide innovative solutions and problem-solving capability. Since the crisis in the U.S. began in March, the foundations of America’s leading corporations have announced emergency responses in the billions to alleviate the pain and suffering in our communities.
We have a long road ahead. If this pandemic and economic crisis are a war, we must commit ourselves to winning it. The upcoming months and years will involve countless struggles and sacrifices, including work toward a vaccine, to which millions of dollars have been committed by the public and private sector. In the meantime we philanthropists—small and large—can help care for those struggling now, and begin charting a course from survival to revival.
Philanthropy is a word. From the Greek, it roughly translates as love for humankind. But it also is an idea. Philanthropy brings light to the darkness, hope in moments of despair, and in moments of crisis, relief and response and resolve. It translates generosity into justice for all.
This is our work, which requires compassion and generosity and grace and love, timeless ideals. So many are fighting on the front lines of this crisis, and they are our heroes: in the hospitals, on the public transit systems, at the grocery stores, and in our communities keeping us safe and secure. For those of us privileged to be out of harm’s way, we must step in and step up. Working together—in common cause—we must meet the tests of this moment, and emerge stronger for it.
Darren Walker is president of the Ford Foundation and was instrumental in forming the NYC Covid-19 Response and Impact Fund, conceived by Bloomberg Philanthropies president Patti Harris, which at press time had raised $105 million.
They Stepped Up
Jose Andres
Call him the conscience of the food world. A veteran of disaster relief in Puerto Rico, he recently turned closed restaurants and stadiums into community kitchens and funded relief efforts through his World Central Kitchen nonprofit.
Andrew Cuomo
Of the New York governor’s accomplishments during the crisis was his ability to inspire acts of generosity. Big corporations, broke individuals, you name it—they all lined up to donate. Cuomo’s heartfelt thank-yous offered hope when there wasn’t much around.
Lauder Family
In addition to making hand sanitizer and donating millions of masks, the Estée Lauder company has given millions to Covid-fighting organizations around the world, from Doctors Without Borders to the Red Cross.
Oprah Winfrey
Her series Oprah Talks Covid-19, for Apple TV+, explored important issues around mental health and vulnerable communities. Her personal $10 million donation to crisis relief proved, once again, that she’s more than talk.
Anthony Fauci
Docta, docta Fauci! The steady demeanor and kindhearted realism of the longtime NIH immunologist became a touchstone that we clung to. So much so that he was celebrated in a viral parody of a Lady Gaga song.
Nita Ambani
The Reliance Foundation—the philanthropic initiative of Reliance Industries, founded and chaired by Ambani—distributed millions of meals and masks to frontline workers and the poor, set up India’s first hospital for Covid-19 patients, and donated $72 million to an emergency fund.
Tanisha Brunson-Malone
The story of this NJ forensic technician spending her own money on daffodils to put on the bodies stacked up in her hospital’s refrigerated trailers is one of the pandemic’s most chilling—and moving.
Arnold Schwarzenegger
The former Governator wasn’t just a fundraiser during the coronavirus crisis (he raised $3 million in partnership with TikTok) but also comic relief when he shared his isolation adventures with his pet donkey.
Gayle Benson and Zion Williamson
Sports stars and team owners were quick to act when Covid-19 shut down arenas. New Orleans Pelicans rookie Williamson promised to pay a month’s wages for all arena employees. Meanwhile, Pelicans and Saints owner Benson guaranteed wages for workers during the closure.
Bert Beveridge
No, you can’t use Tito’s in lieu of Purell, but the vodka company and its founder quickly turned their distillery into a hand sanitizer factory, distributing hundreds of tons to healthcare institutions at no charge.
Ayesha and Stephen Curry
The NBA star and his wife realized food security would be an issue in the Bay Area and quickly mobilized their foundation, Eat. Learn. Play., and its partners to provide daily meals for 24,000 affected families.
Evan Spiegel and Miranda Kerr
The supermodel and KORA CEO and her Snap CEO husband gave $10 million (personally and through the Snap Foundation) to Los Angeles nonprofits aiding communities affected by Covid-19.
Laurene Powell Jobs
The philanthropist widow of Steve Jobs was suddenly everywhere this spring, lobbying for immigrants’ rights and joining with Apple and Leo DiCaprio to create a $15 million food fund for those affected by the crisis.
Captain Tom Moore
Called “a beacon of light through the fog of coronavirus” by Boris Johnson and knighted by the queen, Moore raised $40 million for Britain’s NHS workers by walking laps of his garden before his 100th birthday in April.
Dolly Parton
The singer’s weekly live-streamed bedtime stories were a welcome distraction for kids and parents alike, while her seven-figure donation to vaccine research is helping us move toward a real happily ever after.
Ty Warner
Thank him for bringing a salve of luxury to the front lines. When Governor Cuomo asked New York’s hotels to open for healthcare workers, he raised his hand first, converting his Four Seasons into a medical dorm.
Jay-Z
The hip-hop mogul gave a reported $2 million to causes supporting undocumented workers and the families of first responders and was part of a group that donated 100,000 masks to prisons.
Michael Bloomberg
Through his Bloomberg Philanthropies he has donated $75 million to relief efforts, including more than $10 million to launch a revolutionary large-scale contact tracing program in New York City.
Sonja Schwartzbach
This New Jersey critical care nurse saw how dangerous conditions had become for healthcare workers and started “Covid-19: Mission for Masks,” an anonymous online open doc that drew much-needed attention to the issue.
Sylvie Chantecaille
The cosmetics powerhouse and environmentalist (proceeds from her products support conservation worldwide) helped frontline workers treat their cracked, overwashed hands with donations of CBD cream.
Adrian Cheng
The young Hong Kong billionaire’s New World Development was an early philanthropic driver in China, with a $7 million relief fund. His Mask to Go “vending machines” answered a vital need with tech ingenuity.
Tim Cook
Apple’s CEO harnessed his company’s resources to donate and distribute millions of face masks around the world, develop apps for symptom tracking and contact tracing, and fund vital test kit research.
Ciara and Russell Wilson
The singer and her Seattle Seahawks quarterback husband rallied around their afflicted state and donated 1 million meals to food banks in Washington.
Bethenny Frankel
She’s not just fierce on reality TV—the Skinnygirl tycoon has delivered millions of N95 masks and other protective gear to healthcare workers through her nonprofit BStrong’s partnership with Global Empowerment Mission.
Leo DiCaprio
The film star and environmentalist launched America’s Food Fund with Laurene Powell Jobs, which quickly raked in $15 million. His secret to attracting donors? Raffling a walk-on part in his next movie.
Magic Johnson
Concerned that minority-owned businesses would struggle disproportionately during and after the pandemic, Johnson and his life insurance company provided $100 million to help finance them.
Helen Branswell
“Not liking the look of this,” tweeted STAT’s infectious disease reporter in January about a new virus mentioned in a little-read WHO report. She’s been breaking news and giving context on Covid-19 ever since.
James Dyson
The king of sleek household appliances had a quick solution to the UK’s shortage of ventilators: design one himself, which he did in 10 days. He then spent $20 million to build 15,000 units for hospitals.
Invisible Hands
When Yalies Liam Elkind and Simone Policano joined forces with NYU student Healy Chait to build an army delivering food and medicine for at-risk New Yorkers, they were quickly joined by 7,000 volunteers.
Now & Always
Some philanthropists are forged in a crisis. Others are models for being compassionate in good times and bad. These true believers are examples to us all of perseverance and passion, as well as unrivaled allies for the causes they believe in.
The Entertainers
They brought music and laughter to our darkest days, and did it all for a good cause.
Andrea Bocelli
His Easter concert, from an empty Milan church, lifted spirits worldwide.
Laura Benanti
When high school shows went dark, the Broadway star stepped in.
John Krasinski
His Some Good News show shared silver linings—and a virtual prom.
Rosie O’Donnell
Her Actors Fund benefit set the bar for isolation entertainment.
Rufus Wainwright
The singer soothed us daily via Instagram.
Phoebe Waller-Bridge
Streaming her one-woman Fleabag theater performance raised more than $1 million.
D-Nice
The digital dance party guru got guests like J-Lo to shake off their blues.
Mike Birbiglia
His comedy show Tip Your Waitstaff proved laughter is the best medicine—and fundraiser.
The Megafunders
They may not be able to solve it single-handed, but they’re sure going to try.
Melinda & Bill Gates
$125 million for treatments and a vaccine.
Jeff Bezos
Gave $100 million to Feeding America for Covid-related hunger.
Jack Dorsey
Our favorite spiritual snob gave away $1 billion (28% of his wealth).
Steve Ballmer
The L.A. Clippers owner gave $25 million to Seattle, L.A., and Michigan.
Mark Zuckerberg & Priscilla Chan
Pledged millions to vaccines and Covid-tracking.
Michael & Susan Dell
Committed $100 million, $20 million of which will go to the Gates treatment initiative.
Joe Tsai & Jack Ma
The Alibaba execs put geopolitics aside to deliver medical supplies worldwide.
Reed Hastings & Ted Sarandos
Netflix’s CEO and chief content officer launched a $100 million fund for out-of-work TV folks.
The Fashion Community
With its nerve centers and manufacturing hubs reeling, an industry banded together with signature empathy and creativity in the service of the common good.
Fashion, already disrupted by technology and locked in a survival- of-the-fittest struggle, was one of the first global industries rocked by the pandemic, when Milan became an early epicenter. With stores closing all over the world and supply chains stalled, the road ahead looks challenging, but luxury’s titans are meeting the moment with inspired ingenuity and a deep sense of service. Designers made individual donations to support the healthcare safety net, followed by corporate gifts toward relief efforts. Then, in ways large and small, collective action swelled as the industry retrofitted its factories and studios and redirected its wells of creativity to make hand sanitizer, masks, and other critical supplies. In the words of the dean of American fashion, Ralph Lauren, “It is in the spirit of togetherness that we will rise.” — Erik Maza
Bernard Arnault
The French mogul’s LVMH factories mass-produce masks and supplies.
Donatella Versace
Parent company Capri followed her personal donation with a $3 million gift.
Giorgio Armani
The Italian designer donated $2 million to hospitals in his country.
Silvia Venturini Fendi
Along with a six-figure donation, the fashion scion is making masks.
Rihanna
Her PPE donation to NYC got a personal thanks from Governor Cuomo. And that's not all—the pop star also gave more than $35 million to response efforts, ranging from mental health services to food access and distribution to supporting domestic violence victims.
Ralph Lauren
His $10 million pledge was the largest by an American luxury brand.
David and Sybil Yurman
The jewelers contributed $1 million to relief efforts in hard-hit NYC.
Reed Krakoff
Tiffany & Co. pledged $1 million to Covid-19 relief efforts.
Miuccia Prada and Patrizio Bertelli
Prada’s co-CEOs donated two ICUs to each of three Milan hospitals.
Tom Ford and Anna Wintour
Emerging labels have a lifeline thanks to their A Common Thread fund.
Tory Burch
She provided $5 million worth of products for hospital staff and donated fabric for masks and gowns.
Alessandro Michele and Marco Bizzarri
Gucci’s creative director and CEO donated $2 million to relief funds.
Remo Ruffini
The Moncler CEO’s $10 million donation helped build a hospital in Italy.
Christian Siriano
He led the wave of NYC designers who repurposed studios to make masks.
Alain & Gerard Wertheimer
Chanel’s factories in France went from making tweed to PPE.
Francois-Henri Pinault
The Kering CEO procured 3 million masks for French medical workers.
This story appears in the Summer 2020 issue of Town & Country. Subscribe Now
