Josh and Marjorie Harris
/SOURCE OF WEALTH: Apollo Global Management
FUNDING AREAS: Youth & Sports, Health and Wellness, Strengthening Israel
OVERVIEW: Josh and Marjorie Harris conduct philanthropy through Harris Philanthropies (formerly Harris Family Charitable Foundation). According to available tax filings, it awarded $1.8 million in grants in 2017. The foundation strives to improve people’s lives and unlock their potential by inspiring youth, strengthening communities and promoting wellness and healthy living.
BACKGROUND: Josh Harris graduated from Wharton in 1986 and later received an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. He was a member of the Mergers and Acquisitions Group of Drexel Burnham Lambert and in 1990 helped found Apollo Global Management. He is also an owner of the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers.
ISSUES:
YOUTH & SPORTS: Harris Philanthropies lists three focus areas. In this area, the foundation aims to “transform the lives of disadvantaged children through high quality, sports-based, youth development programs that result in improved academic, character, health, and safety outcomes.” The foundation made a $3.5 million gift to the Philadelphia Police Athletic League to support a "variety of programs and administrative costs." Philadelphia PAL is an independent nonprofit where "where policemen are committed to helping children in the area."
In 2019, the couple donated $10 million to the Wharton School to create the Joshua J. Harris Alternative Investments Program, expanding research opportunities for students and host events that connect students to alumni and experts in the industry. In 2018, the couple donated $1 million from Harris Philanthropies to support Penn’s wrestling program creating the Joshua J. Harris Wrestling Assistant Coach Endowment. Harris was a wrestler at University of Pennsylvania. Other grantees include After School All Stars, Harlem RBI, National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum, and Philadelphia Youth Sports Collaborative.
HEALTH AND WELLNESS: The foundation supports medical research that focuses on wellness and disease prevention to maximize individual vitality, and that integrates leading technology to guide individuals towards optimal health. Grantees have included Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and United Way of New York. The couple have also supported Melanoma Research Alliance.
ISRAEL: The foundation also supports efforts to strengthen the Jewish community in Israel by “connecting rising generations to Zionism through programs and efforts that foster greater connectedness and identity.”
LOOKING FORWARD: Only in his 50s, Harris is still very much engaged in business. Expect the family’s giving to deepen.
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