Craigslist’s 71-Year-Old Founder Is Donating $100 Million to Cybersecurity. Here’s Why.

Craig Newmark’s giving philosophy comes from a concept that means “repairing the world.”

By Sherin Shibu | edited by Melissa Malamut | Sep 19, 2024
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Key Takeaways

  • Craig Newmark was worth $1.3 billion in 2020 and pledged to give away almost all of his wealth to charitable causes in December 2022.
  • On Wednesday, he pledged $100 million to support U.S. cybersecurity.

Craig Newmark, the 71-year-old retired founder of Craigslist, has for philanthropy: military families and vets, cybersecurity, journalism, and .

On Wednesday, he pledged $100 million to support U.S. cybersecurity, bringing his total giving and pledges to $400 million since 2015.

Craig Newmark. Photo by John Lamparski/Getty Images

According to , Newmark has already committed over 20% of the $100 million pledge to organizations and projects around cybersecurity. Common Sense Media, for example, to support efforts like a cybersecurity awareness campaign for parents and teachers.

Related: Melinda French Gates Reveals Her Next Move After Leaving Gates Foundation: ‘Set Your Own Agenda or Someone Else Will Set It For You’

Newmark in 2020 and pledged to give away to charitable causes in December 2022. He told the Journal that his giving was inspired by the Judaic concept of tikkun olam, Hebrew for ““

Newmark’s approach is to find the right people, give them the resources they need, “and then get outta their way,” according to his . He doesn’t give organizations who receive grants requirements to hit certain targets.

Newmark has yet to commit $88 million of his latest $100 million pledge. Applications are open through his foundation’s website where he personally vets the proposals.

Related: Warren Buffett Just Changed Up His Will and Locked Out the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Key Takeaways

  • Craig Newmark was worth $1.3 billion in 2020 and pledged to give away almost all of his wealth to charitable causes in December 2022.
  • On Wednesday, he pledged $100 million to support U.S. cybersecurity.

Craig Newmark, the 71-year-old retired founder of Craigslist, has for philanthropy: military families and vets, cybersecurity, journalism, and .

On Wednesday, he pledged $100 million to support U.S. cybersecurity, bringing his total giving and pledges to $400 million since 2015.

Craig Newmark. Photo by John Lamparski/Getty Images

According to , Newmark has already committed over 20% of the $100 million pledge to organizations and projects around cybersecurity. Common Sense Media, for example, to support efforts like a cybersecurity awareness campaign for parents and teachers.

Related: Melinda French Gates Reveals Her Next Move After Leaving Gates Foundation: ‘Set Your Own Agenda or Someone Else Will Set It For You’

Newmark in 2020 and pledged to give away to charitable causes in December 2022. He told the Journal that his giving was inspired by the Judaic concept of tikkun olam, Hebrew for ““

Newmark’s approach is to find the right people, give them the resources they need, “and then get outta their way,” according to his . He doesn’t give organizations who receive grants requirements to hit certain targets.

Newmark has yet to commit $88 million of his latest $100 million pledge. Applications are open through his foundation’s website where he personally vets the proposals.

Related: Warren Buffett Just Changed Up His Will and Locked Out the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Sherin Shibu • News Reporter

Âé¶¹Éç Staff
Sherin Shibu is a business news reporter at Âé¶¹Éç.com. She previously worked for PCMag, Business... Read more
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