Victor and Thaderine MacFarlane

SOURCE OF WEALTH: MacFarlane Partners

FUNDING AREAS: Arts & Culture

OVERVIEW: Victor MacFarlane and his wife, Thaderine, do not appear to have a formal charitable vehicle. They’ve given big gifts to Smithsonian Institution, including the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

BACKGROUND: Victor MacFarlane graduated from University of New Mexico, received his MBA from University of Pittsburgh, and his J.D. from UCLA School of Law. He began his real estate career in 1979 with Aetna Life & Casualty Company. In 1987, MacFarlane founded MacFarlane Partners, a real estate investment management and development firm based in San Francisco.

ISSUES:

ARTS & CULTURE: The MacFarlanes have directed significant sums to Smithsonian Institution. They’ve given the National Museum of African American History and Culture at least $1 million, supporting the final stages of design, construction and public unveiling.

OTHER: The couple has supported the Urban Land Institute Foundation. MacFarlane is a member of the Urban Land Institute and a former trustee. He’s also on the board of advisors of his alma mater the UCLA School of Law. The MacFarlanes have directed more modest sums to places like UC Berkeley Haas School, the Gesu School in Pennsylvania and the University of Virginia.

LOOKING FORWARD: MacFarlane is still very much engaged in business but perhaps the family will ramp up giving in coming years.

LINK: McFarlane Partners