“Some people are more geared toward wanting to build something.” Concentrated Giving “College isn’t for everyone,” Russell says. Russell observes the irony of his presence as the youngest donor on this year’s Philanthropy 50: On a list populated by people who tend to give to higher education, Russell became wealthy by dropping out of Stanford to focus on his business. It’s amazing how much of an impact it can have.” “When you’re getting started and have nothing to work with, $100,000 is everything. “The fellowship was incredibly inspirational and helpful,” Russell says. The money and the experiences Russell received through the fellowship set the stage for Luminar’s success Russell roomed with other ambitious teenagers who went on create the cryptocurrency Ethereum and the fast-growing Oyo hotel chain.

Russell was an ambitious and frustrated 17-year-old freshman at Stanford University in 2012 when he learned about the Thiel Fellowship - Peter Thiel’s effort to spark innovation by giving young entrepreneurs $100,000 to drop out of college and network with Silicon Valley mentors. How the Chronicle Compiled Its List of the Top 50 Donors of 2021.2021’s Top Donors: Where They Live, Where They Give, and More.Top Donors’ Giving to and From Their Foundations and Donor-Advised Funds in 2021.2021’s Top Donors: ‘Forbes 400' and ‘Giving Pledge’ Billionaires Who Gave Big.Why a Young Billionaire Who Led Trip to Space Gave $125 Million to Children’s Hospital.How a Truckdriver-Turned Harvard MBA Came to Give $101 Million for Nursing Education in Mont.Our Annual Philanthropy 50: Top Donors Returned to Pre-Pandemic Causes in 2021.Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates gave $15 billion to their foundation last year to take the top spot in the Chronicle’s 22nd annual ranking of America’s biggest donors.

Austin russell luminar age