Sloan Kettering gets biggest donation in its history from Griffin, Geffen

Marcus Baram
Author Marcus Baram

Marcus Baram is a contributing editor at Crain Currency, where he covers the intersection of finance and politics. Prior to joining Crain Currency, Baram was a staff writer at Fast Company and an editor at Huff Post. He has also written for outlets such as The New York Times, The Atlantic, and Vice. Baram is an expert on economic policy and has a deep understanding of the ways in which politics shapes the global financial system. In his role at Crain Currency, he brings a unique perspective to the complex and ever-evolving world of finance. With his keen analysis and clear writing, Baram helps readers make sense of the important issues impacting the economy today.

Dec 19, 2023
11 months ago
Ken_Griffin
Ken Griffin

The world-renowned Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) in New York just announced the largest single donation in its nearly 150-year history—a $400 million gift from Ken Griffin, founder and CEO of Citadel and founder of Griffin Catalyst, and David Geffen, founder of The David Geffen Foundation.

The donation will help the institution advance cutting-edge research and new cancer treatments, which is especially critical as the number of people with cancer in the United States is estimated to increase nearly 50% due to an aging population.

The gift is only the latest example of Griffin’s philanthropy—giving away more than $2 billion in recent years and launching Griffin Catalyst, a civic engagement initiative that focuses on science and medicine. 

Earlier this year he gave $300 million to Harvard’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences to advance cutting-edge research and support the school’s mission.

“The MSK team is leading the world’s effort to defeat cancer,” said Griffin. “David and I are honored to support MSK's incredible physicians and scientists advancing breakthroughs in research and treatment and the outstanding nurses and staff who dedicate their lives to providing compassionate care to those impacted by this disease.”

Some of the most groundbreaking developments in cancer research—the first chemotherapy drugs, the first immune-based treatments, and many targeted therapies—got their start at MSK, enabled by philanthropic contributions.

Marcus Baram
Author Marcus Baram

Marcus Baram is a contributing editor at Crain Currency, where he covers the intersection of finance and politics. Prior to joining Crain Currency, Baram was a staff writer at Fast Company and an editor at Huff Post. He has also written for outlets such as The New York Times, The Atlantic, and Vice. Baram is an expert on economic policy and has a deep understanding of the ways in which politics shapes the global financial system. In his role at Crain Currency, he brings a unique perspective to the complex and ever-evolving world of finance. With his keen analysis and clear writing, Baram helps readers make sense of the important issues impacting the economy today.