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Philanthropic Organizations
The Marcus Foundation
Founder: Bernard Marcus
Bernard Marcus is an American with Jewish heritage. He wanted to be a doctor. He could not afford the tuition, but he nonetheless worked his way through Rutgers University by working as a cabinetmaker for his father. He earned a degree in pharmacy but then became more interested with the retailing and selling industry. After a stint with Handy Dan, he and his former co-worker Arthur Blank founded Home Depot, which became the second largest chain of retailing stores in the United States.
His lifelong interest in medicine, together with his early exposure to the society’s intolerance to Jews, inspired him to create the Marcus Foundation.
Areas of Interest: Most of the Foundation’s philanthropic endeavors are stressed on:
- Education
- Health
- Promotion of free commerce
- Children’s welfare
- Tolerance and social acceptance of Judaism
More about the Marcus Foundation and its Notable Projects/Programs:
Bernard Marcus’ pursuit in putting Judaism in a good light led him to help create the Israel Democracy Institute in 1991. A non-partisan organization, the Israel Democracy Institute serves as a think tank that promotes and preserves democracy in Israel. This move by Bernard Marcus prompted former Secretary of State George Schultz to actively participate with the Israel Democracy Institute.
The Georgia Aquarium received $200 million from Bernard Marcus’ personal fortune during the project’s construction phase in 2002. The facility opened in 2005 and is now one of the world’s largest aquariums. The donation was Bernard Marcus’ way of showing his gratitude to the residents for contributing to his success.
Bernard Marcus is also active in health services. In 2002, he donated $3.9 million to the Atlanta-based Centers of Disease Control and Prevention to create the Emergency Anthrax Response Center during the height of the Anthrax scare.
The Bernard Marcus Foundation has supported the following institutions and several non-profit organizations in pursuit of the foundation’s goals:
- Emory School of Medicine (Atlanta)
- American Friends of the Israel Democracy Institute (Atlanta)
- Anti-Defamation League (New York)
- Accion International
- Business Executives for National Security (Washington D.C.)
- US Holocaust Memorial (Washington D.C.)
- Jewish Family and Career Services (Atlanta)
- ETV Endowment of South Carolina
Bernard Marcus also founded the Bernard Marcus Institute, which provides treatment for children suffering from brain diseases and other related disorders.