Six things to know about one of the most mysterious and wealthiest philanthropic institutions.
With nearly $5 billion in assets as of 2021, the Google (now Alphabet) co-founder Sergey Brin’s family foundation is among the country’s 25 wealthiest philanthropic institutions, and little is known about this. Here’s the skinny from an Inside Philanthropy article:
- Surprisingly, grants stay close to home: Alphabet — Google’s parent— may reach around the globe, but Brin’s grantmaking stays very local, particularly for someone of his means.
- One disease – Parkinson’s – dominates the portfolio, for now.
- Mix of science and progressive causes: The foundation has sent regular million-dollar grants to Stanford University, Brin’s alma mater, other elite universities, and scientific institutes for topics like nanoparticles, SARS or “AI for prostate cancer.”
- He also backs antipoverty work. and shows a fondness for endowed chairs and academic centers.
- A massive foundation, but a much larger family wealth office: According to tax filings, instead of Brin’s massive family wealth office, Bayshore Global Management handles his charitable giving. Family wealth offices are common for big wealthy families like the Daytons and others.