Charles Dolan
/SOURCE OF WEALTH: Cablevision, HBO
FUNDING AREAS: Health (Pancreatic Research), Human Services, Education & Youth, Arts & Culture, Religious
OVERVIEW: Charles Dolan and family do their grantmaking through several different channels. The family’s grantmaking prioritizes the Northeast, specifically Long Island. Dolan chairs the Lustgarten Foundation, which supports pancreatic cancer research.
BACKGROUND: Born in Cleveland, Charles Dolan attended John Carroll University before dropping out and entering the telecommunications field. He got his start cutting sports highlight reels for Cleveland area television. He went on to organize Cablevision Systems Corporation on Long Island which sold in 2016 for $17.7 billion. Dolan owns stakes in Madison Square Garden, the New York Knicks, the New York Rangers and AMC Networks.
ISSUES:
HEALTH: Dolan chairs the Lustgarten Foundation, which supports pancreatic cancer research. The foundation is named in honor of the late Marc Lustgarten, who rose to serve as vice chairman of Cablevision and chairman of Madison Square Garden. Via the Dolan Family Foundation, meanwhile, the family supported places like Autism Speaks.
HUMAN SERVICES: Past grantees include Youth Family Counseling Agency and Island Harvest, which rescues and distributes food to hungry people in New York.
EDUCATION & YOUTH: Through another one of the family’s charitable vehicles, the Dolan Children’s Foundation, the family has supported places like Chaminade High School, Stony Brook Foundation, Vermont College of Fine Arts, and Rising Star Youth Foundation. The Dolans family foundation’s grantmaking sometimes involves similar outfits.
ARTS AND CULTURE: The Dolan family, through their charities, have supported organizations like Plaza Cinema & Media Arts Center, Pomfret Historical Society, and Raynham Hall Museum.
RELIGIOUS: The family has also earmarked funds for outfits like Archdiocese of New York, Sisters of St. Dominic of Amityville, and St. Ambrose Parish.
LOOKING FORWARD: Expect this billionaire family’s Northeast focus to hold. Down the line Inside Philanthropy will keep up with the next generation of Dolans and their grantmaking interests. Thomas Dolan is a trustee of the Dolan Children’s Foundation. James Dolan, CEO of Cablevision, should be watched carefully as well.
CONTACT:
The Dolan family’s charities do not provide a clear avenue for getting in touch but below is contact information:
Dolan Children’s Foundation
340 Crossways Park Dr.
Woodbury, NY 11797
Contact: Robert Vizza, Pres.
Dolan Family Foundation
340 Crossways Park Dr.
Woodbury, NY 11797
Telephone: (516) 803-9200
Contact: Robert Vizza, Pres.
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