Facebook founder gives US$100m
Published:Sunday | September 26, 2010 | 12:00 AM
Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg last Friday announced a US$100-million donation to public schools in a move that could enhance his reputation just before the opening on an unflattering movie about him, The Social Network.
Zuckerberg told Oprah Winfrey that he picked schools in Newark, New Jersey's largest city, for the gift "because I believe in these guys".
"These guys" are Republican New Jersey Gov Chris Christie and Newark Mayor Cory Booker, a Democrat. All three appeared with Zuckerberg on a live episode Friday of Winfrey's TV show.
The Newark district has been plagued for years by low test scores, poor graduation rates and crumbling buildings. It was taken over by the state in 1995 after instances of waste and mismanagement.
Zuckerberg, wearing a gray T-shirt, black jacket and tennis shoes, explained to Winfrey why he chose to make his philanthropic debut in education.
"Why education? Because every child deserves a good education and right now that's not happening," Zuckerberg said, adding he wants other children to have the same opportunities he had.
Zuckerberg said his gift was a challenge grant. Booker said he is lining up money from other foundations, too.
Other contributions
Last year, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced US$290 million in education grants, including US$100 million for the school system in Tampa, Florida, and US$90 million for the Memphis, Tennessee, district. The Gates Foundation also has given more than US$150 million to New York City schools over the past eight years.
Zuckerberg grew up in Dobbs Ferry, New York, graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire in 2002 and attended Harvard before dropping out to work full time on Facebook. He has no connection to Newark other than knowing Booker, a charismatic 41-year-old politician who has the ear of President Barack Obama and has helped the city get major donations from Winfrey and New Jersey's Jon Bon Jovi.
The announcement comes a week before The Social Network opens widely. The movie, whose tagline is "You don't get to 500 million friends without making a few enemies," portrays Zuckerberg as taking the idea for Facebook from other Harvard students.