Cornell’s ‘Third Founder,’ Chuck Feeney, Dies at 92
Charles F. “Chuck” Feeney ’56, the founding chairman of The Atlantic Philanthropies and Cornell University’s most generous donor, has passed away in San Francisco at the age of 92. Feeney, who quietly dedicated his fortune to global causes, notably invested nearly $1 billion in Cornell through his foundation since 1982.
Former Cornell President Frank H.T. Rhodes referred to Feeney as Cornell’s “third founder,” placing him only behind Ezra Cornell and the university’s first president, Andrew Dickson White, in terms of his influence and impact.
Charles F. “Chuck” Feeney ’56, founding chairman of The Atlantic Philanthropies.
For over two decades, Feeney’s giving through The Atlantic Philanthropies was anonymous. Neither his name nor Atlantic’s appeared on any university buildings, professorships, or programs. Even after his association with Atlantic became public, he avoided memorials, preferring that the beneficiaries be the focus of attention.
In 2021, Cornell honored Feeney’s 90th birthday by renaming East Avenue on the Ithaca campus “Feeney Way,” recognizing his impact and inspiring future generations. A second “Feeney Way” is planned for a central thoroughfare on the Cornell Tech campus in New York City, as announced earlier this year.
“Chuck Feeney, through his life and legacy, set an inspirational standard for what it means to be a Cornellian,” said President Martha E. Pollack. “His remarkable philanthropy, the impact of his giving to his alma mater, and his quiet example have transformed Cornell and its community.”
Pollack also noted Feeney’s recent granting of Cornell’s wish to acknowledge his impact by naming main thoroughfares on both campuses in his honor.
Feeney’s Legacy
The Atlantic Philanthropies’ impact on Cornell includes:
- A $350 million grant in 2011 for the Cornell Tech campus, creating a substantial permanent endowment.
- The establishment and endowment of the Cornell Tradition, which provides fellowships to outstanding undergraduates demonstrating commitment to scholarship, work, and service.
- Support impacting various areas of Cornell, including undergraduate residential life, financial aid, and the sciences, humanities, and social sciences.
Beyond Cornell, Feeney and The Atlantic Philanthropies gave $7 billion over three decades to advance global education, health, research and innovation, human rights, and peacemaking efforts.
“Chuck was as passionate about making a positive difference in the lives of others as he was about being successful at business,” said Christopher G. Oechsli, president and CEO of Atlantic and a longtime advisor to Feeney. “He cared more about being effective at what he did than about amassing wealth or collecting awards.”
Kraig Kayser, MBA ’84, chair of the Cornell Board of Trustees, stated, “Chuck Feeney was a cherished Cornellian whose impact is immeasurable. His philanthropic support across many campus priorities… will be felt for generations.”
Early Life and The Atlantic Philanthropies
Born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, on April 23, 1931, Feeney came from a working-class, Irish-American family. He enrolled in Cornell’s School of Hotel Administration in 1952, using the G.I. Bill, and demonstrated an early entrepreneurial drive. After graduating, he co-founded Duty Free Shoppers, which became the largest luxury goods seller worldwide.
In 1984, Feeney secretly transferred the majority of his stake in Duty Free Shoppers to establish The Atlantic Philanthropies, reducing his personal wealth to under $5 million. The foundation initially focused on higher education, later prioritizing aging, children and youth, population health, and human rights.
Feeney insisted on anonymity for the foundation’s donations, partly due to modesty, and partly because he believed public giving might deter others. Atlantic concentrated its grant-making in several countries, targeting specific sectors. He aimed to spend down the foundation’s endowment completely within his lifetime, achieving this goal by 2016.
Atlantic and Cornell
From left, Chuck Feeney ’56, then-Cornell President Frank H.T. Rhodes and Ed Walsh, founding president of the University of Limerick in Ireland, in 1987.
Atlantic Philanthropies’ first investment in Cornell in 1982 was a $7 million anonymous grant to establish The Cornell Tradition, a fellowship program focused on work, service and scholarship. The foundation later contributed nearly $41 million to this program, assisting over 6,000 students. The foundation made a final grant of $7 million to The Cornell Tradition to support core endowments.
Over three decades, The Atlantic Philanthropies supported various initiatives at Cornell including:
- Scholarship campaigns.
- Construction of numerous buildings.
- Athletics endowments and facilities.
- Support for the Nolan Hotel School.
- The Presidential Research Scholars Program.
- The Cornell Club property in New York City.
- The Martin Y. Tang Welcome Center.
Atlantic also boosted endowment for faculty positions, supported key academic programs, and helped create several research centers and archives.
Cornell Tech
The Atlantic Philanthropies’ largest single investment, a $350 million grant in 2011, supported the construction of the Cornell Tech campus on Roosevelt Island in New York City. This grant was crucial in Cornell’s winning a city competition to build the new applied sciences and engineering campus.
Recognition and Inspiration
Nikhil Garg headshot
Feeney was known for his modesty, and it wasn’t until 1997 that he became recognized for his philanthropy and impact on Cornell. In 2011, he joined the Giving Pledge. He was later awarded the Forbes 400 Lifetime Achievement Award for Philanthropy in 2014. In 2015, he received the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy.
In 2020, Feeney expressed his humility when East Avenue would be named in his honor. “Cornell’s culture of affording any person an opportunity for study in any area of interest informed my commitment to ‘give while living’ – to use wealth to create opportunities for others, especially for those who have not historically had those opportunities,” he said. “I hope Feeney Way will help awaken and nurture that spirit in those who walk Cornell’s paths.”
Feeney is survived by his wife, Helga; five children from his first marriage; 16 grandchildren; and four nieces and nephews. Memorial gifts may be made to a charitable organization of choice or The Cornell Tradition.
