February 10, 2014 | Read Time: 1 minute
Amount donated in 2013: $206-million
Top beneficiary: Paul G. Allen Family Foundation
Other notable gift: EMP Museum
Background: Mr. Allen founded Vulcan Capital investment company and co-founded Microsoft.
Mr. Allen, 61, gave $200-million to his Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, which supports arts and culture, education, and social-service programs, primarily in the Pacific Northwest.
The foundation awarded $38.7-million in grants last year, including $5.3-million to the National Philanthropic Trust to establish a fund that will support the development of a diagnostic tool, methodologies, and field evaluation in countries having the most trouble eradicating poliovirus. The philanthropy also awarded $3-million to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival to support productions and to restore and maintain festival buildings, as well as smaller grants to other nonprofits.
Mr. Allen also gave $6-million to the EMP Museum, which is dedicated to pop culture, rock music, and science fiction. He created the Seattle museum in 2000.
The Philanthropy 50: Browse the full list of America’s most generous donors in 2013.
Learn more: See this donor’s listing in our database of major gifts, America’s Top Donors.
