Not long after relocating his Citadel hedge fund to Miami, billionaire Ken Griffin spoke publicly about his charitable giving and his emphasis on education, which he described as "the on-ramp to the American dream." Education is one of six priorities laid out by Griffin Catalyst, his charitable operation, along with science and medicine, upward mobility, freedom and democracy, enterprise and innovation, and communities.
Griffin Catalyst estimates that he has given away more than $2 billion overall, including an estimated $500 million to his alma mater Harvard University, and $20 million to Miami-Dade College for tuition, books and other support. Last May, Time magazine listed Griffin as a "titan" in its list of the 100 most influential leaders in philanthropy.
And 2025 offered a steady stream of news about new Florida-focused donations from Griffin, a graduate of Boca Raton Community High School, and Griffin Catalyst along with the fruits of past gifts. Here are some highlights just in the state of Florida.
APRIL 11, 2025
Griffin donates $5 million toward the Cox Science Center and Aquarium's expansion in West Palm Beach. The Cox center and the aquarium, he said, "ignites curiosity and opens minds to the wonders of science and STEM learning" and builds on an $8-million donation from Griffin in 2022.
JUNE 24, 2025
Griffin donates $2 million to Achieve Miami, which runs a Teacher Accelerator Program to help reduce a shortage of teachers in Miami-Dade County. Griffin gave the program $3.5 million in 2023.
JULY 25, 2025
Mount Sinai Medical Center announces a $15-million gift from Griffin to its new Braman Comprehensive Care Center and to expand patient care at the center's Hialeah location.
SEPT. 19, 2025
Griffin partners with the Bezos Family Foundation on a $7-million grant to bring an innovative math program to dozens of Miami-Dade County public schools aimed at helping students fill gaps that keep them from learning at grade level.
SEPT. 29, 2025
Griffin Catalyst announces a $50-million gift to support the New York-based private charter school network Success Academy's expansion into Florida.
NOV. 7, 2025
Griffin Catalyst gives $5 million to Lotus House, a 500-bed homeless shelter for women that just opened a 71,000-sq.-ft. education and resource center where nonprofits will offer educational, health and social services for homeless children and families in Miami's Overtown community.
NOV. 10, 2025
Griffin Catalyst gives $20 million for renovations and enhancements at Vizcaya Village, the original working estate across the street from the Vizcaya Museum, which include a new learning center offering art, agricultural and cultural programs in buildings originally used as barns and stables.
NOV. 19, 2025
The University of Florida announces a $5.5-million gift to the Hamilton School for Classical and Civic Education — its largest ever — to fund graduate fellowships for "exceptional doctoral candidates to UF who are committed to teaching and scholarship in the Western tradition, and the Griffin Scholars, merit-based undergraduate scholarships."