 | |
| Founded | 1982 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Chuck Feeney |
| Dissolved | September 14, 2020 |
| Focus | Ageing, youth, human rights, poverty, progressive advocacy[1] |
| Method | Grantmaking |
Key people | Christopher Oechsli (President and CEO) Martin O'Brien (Senior Vice President of Programmes) |
| Endowment | $1.4 billion (2012)[2] |
| Website | www |
The Atlantic Philanthropies (AP) was a private foundation created in 1982 by American businessman Chuck Feeney. The Atlantic Philanthropies focused its giving on health, social, and politically left-leaning public policy causes in Australia, Bermuda, Ireland, South Africa, the United States and Vietnam.[3] It was among the largest foreign charitable donors in each of the countries in which it operated,[4] and was the single largest funder of programs that encouraged the civic engagement of older people and of comprehensive immigration reform in the United States.[5][6] With the single largest advocacy grant ever made by a foundation, the Atlantic Philanthropies committed $27 million to win passage of the Affordable Care Act in the United States. About half of the Atlantic Philanthropies' grants were made in donations that allow lobbying.[3]
The Atlantic Philanthropies commenced a spend-down process in 2012, and planned to fully close down by 2020 after the remaining portion of Feeney's fortune was donated.[2][7][8] On September 14, 2020, Feeney signed the documents to officially close the nonprofit in an online ceremony that included a congratulatory video message from Bill Gates.[9]
- ^ Preston, Caroline (June 30, 2011). "Atlantic Philanthropies Sends Positive Signal to Advocacy Groups". Chronicle of Philanthropy. Retrieved 12 March 2015.
- ^ a b "The Long Goodbye: Atlantic Philanthropies Approaching The End". The Nonprofit Times. July 29, 2014. Retrieved 12 March 2015.
- ^ a b Preston, Julia (November 14, 2014). "The Big Money Behind the Push for an Immigration Overhaul". New York Times. Retrieved 14 May 2015.
- ^ Eskin, Jim (December 23, 2007). "Giving while living makes sense". Dallas Business Journal. Retrieved 12 March 2015.
- ^ Anft, Michael (November 4, 2005). "Getting on Board With Boomers". Chronicle of Philanthropy. Retrieved 12 March 2015.
- ^ Preston, Caroline (April 25, 2010). "Bring Odd Bedfellows Together to Promote Social Change, Foundations Urged". Chronicle of Philanthropy. Retrieved 12 March 2015.
- ^ Cullen, Paul (July 10, 2012). "Chuck Feeney winding up charitable operations". Irish Times. Archived from the original on July 11, 2012. Retrieved 12 March 2015.
- ^ Paynter, Ben (November 4, 2016). "How Atlantic Philanthropies Plans To Keep Making Change After It Shuts Down". Fast Company. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
- ^ Bertoni, Steven (15 September 2020). "Exclusive: The Billionaire Who Wanted To Die Broke . . . Is Now Officially Broke". Forbes. Retrieved 15 September 2020.