Philanthropy
News and Updates
Read the latest news about Robert F. Smith’s philanthropy as well as events and news concerning his thought leadership, philanthropic partners and charitable initiatives.

How Providing Students With Online Resources Helps Inspire STEM Careers
Pursuing a career in STEM can place students at the forefront of innovation and technology. Critical to these careers is the development of STEM skills, which can open doors to careers as inventors, astronauts, researchers and leaders in many other technology-related fields. While it is never too late to develop

How Providing Students With Online Resources Helps Inspire STEM Careers
Pursuing a career in STEM can place students at the forefront of innovation and technology. Critical to these careers is the development of STEM skills, which can open doors to careers as inventors, astronauts, researchers and leaders in many other technology-related fields. While it is never too late to develop

Dr. Mark A. Brown Becomes Tuskegee University’s 10th President
Tuskegee University has appointed its 10th President, Dr. Mark A. Brown. Dr. Brown has extensive experience in education and previously served as the President and CEO of Student Freedom Initiative (SFI).

Robert F. Smith Interviewed at the 2024 Aspen Ideas Festival
Robert F. Smith discussed digital equity, AI, diversity in tech and more with NBC News’ Antonia Hylton at the 2024 Aspen Ideas Festival in Aspen, Colorado.

Student Freedom Initiative’s Expansion Into TCUs Helps Underserved Native American Students
Student Freedom Initiative has expanded into TCUs to help even more often underserved and underrepresented students. Learn more.

Jeremiah Jacobs’ Wish Granted by Robert F. Smith and Make-A-Wish
Learn more about Jeremiah Jacobs’ incredible Make-A-Wish story, which included the opportunity to meet Robert F. Smith.

internXL Partners With Focus Your Ideas (FYI), An Innovative AI-Powered Platform
internXL’s partnership with FYI will help connect the rich pool of diverse talent that internXL cultivates with the innovative AI-powered app. Learn more.

Howard University’s College of Engineering and Architecture Receives Donation From Autodesk
Howard University’s College of Engineering and Architecture received an unrestricted $5 million donation from Autodesk Inc.

New Pathways for Women in STEM Education and Digital Literacy
Terysa Ridgeway is a computer scientist and STEM advocate who created the innovative children’s book series “Terysa Solves It,” designed to introduce young women to STEM.

Dr. Ruth Gottesman’s Gift Makes Tuition Free for Albert Einstein College of Medicine Students
In early 2024, Dr. Ruth Gottesman made one of the largest contributions to a medical school in recent history when she donated $1 billion to the Einstein College of Medicine to establish the David S. and Ruth L. Gottesman Scholarship Fund.

Bridging the Latino Higher Education Gap: The Community College Bachelor’s Programs
Community colleges are helping to bridge the Latino higher education gap with tools like the Community College Bachelor’s Programs.

Robert F. Smith Supports the Trail Bridge at Congress Avenue and Other Outdoor Spaces
Founder, Chairman and CEO of Vista Equity Partners (Vista) Robert F. Smith, champions equitable access to outdoor spaces. He also works to preserve Black historic sites throughout the U.S.

Robert F. Smith Receives the 2023 HBCU Impact Award
Robert F. Smith works tirelessly to impact and uplift the Black community and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) through various initiatives and programs.

Detecting Breast Cancer With the Conformable Ultrasound Breast Patch
The invention of more groundbreaking medical technology, known as the Conformable Ultrasound Patch, is helping to detect cancers early.