The Carnegie Foundation

The Carnegie Foundation

Founder: Andrew Carnegie

Many financial institutions consider Andrew Carnegie as the second wealthiest man in history. The late businessman and steel mogul was a self-made man; he started from scratch, working initially as a telegrapher. Andrew Carnegie also worked as a bond salesman and put investments in railroads, railroad cars, and oil derricks. Eventually, his fortune rocketed when he entered the steel industry. He founded the Carnegie Steel Company, which he eventually sold to Federal Steel Company to form US Steel.

Andrew Carnegie left the steel business and concentrated on philanthropic activities. His endeavors started from 1901 and lasted well into the twilight years of his life.

Areas of interest:

Advancement and dissemination of education

The Foundation and its Notable Projects/Programs:

Since his retirement from his steel enterprise, Andrew Carnegie devoted his life and much of his wealth to his pursuits in philanthropy, particularly for the improvement of education, scientific research and world peace and security. Andrew Carnegie founded several non-profit organizations bearing his name and was also involved with other charitable institutions.

The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and Education was established in 1905. Its aims are to uphold and recognize teachers and the teaching profession, and improve the quality of higher education. In 1918, the Foundation created the Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association (TIAA) to provide pension for college instructors and professors. The Foundation has funded programs that are involved in research about better teaching policies and methodologies, as well as help address the issues faced by the teaching community.

The Carnegie Corporation of New York was founded in 1911 and is entirely focused on the advancement and wide distribution of knowledge among the citizens of the United States. The Corporation has been donating huge amounts of money for the construction of public libraries and has been funding several projects of selected universities, colleges and other educational institutions that promote proper diffusion of education. The Corporation also sponsors numerous television programs for kids; among them is The Sesame Street.

Andrew Carnegie created the Carnegie Foundation, an organization located in The Hague, The Netherlands, in 1903 to manage the $1.5 million donation he granted for the Peace Palace’s construction, administration, and maintenance. Peace Palace is the present house of the UN’s International Court of Justice (giving Peace Palace the title of the Seat Of International Law), the Permanent Court of Arbitration, The Hague Academy of International Law, and the Peace Palace Library. Presently, the Carnegie Foundation still maintains management of the Peace Palace.

There are also award-giving bodies that bear the name of Andrew Carnegie. The Carnegie Hero Fund Commission is one. The Commission recognizes unselfish acts of heroism done by civilians.

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