February 10, 2014 | Read Time: 1 minute
Amount donated in 2013: $250-million
Beneficiary: Yale University
Background: Mr. Johnson headed Franklin Resources, the parent company of Franklin Templeton Investments, which his father founded. Charles Johnson, now retired from the company, is also the majority shareholder of the San Francisco Giants baseball team.
Mr. Johnson, 80, pledged $250-million to Yale University to build two new residential colleges. Mr. Johnson graduated from Yale in 1954. The new buildings are expected to help the institution increase its enrollment by 15 percent.
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.
