Charles Koch’s philanthropy reflects belief in ‘individual empowerment’ and ‘self-actualization’

Charles Koch’s philanthropic giving reflects his belief in removing barriers to “self-actualization,” says David Dziok, the Kansas billionaire’s spokesman. Over the last two decades, Koch family foundations, Wichita-based Koch Industries and Stand Together (a philanthropic community founded by Koch) have given roughly $90 million to Kansas-based organizations.

In 2019, for example, Koch gave $5 million to Wichita and Kansas charities, including $1 million to build Koch Carousel Gardens at Wichita’s Botanica garden attraction.

Wichita State University has been a major recipient — $21 million in the last two decades — of Koch’s local philanthropy. Among the WSU donations were $3.75 million to the “makerspace” at the WSU Innovation Campus, $4.5 million to expand and renovate the Charles Koch Arena and $3.64 million to support the WSU Institute for the Study of Economic Growth.

Another significant beneficiary of Koch philanthropy has been the Mary R. Koch Arts Center (named for Koch’s mother), a Wichita institute that opened in 2017 and received $14.8 million. In addition, Koch has funded $2.3 million in scholarships for Kansas visual and performing artists.

Youth Entrepreneurs, a national program based in Wichita that Koch and his wife designed to teach high school students about entrepreneurial thinking, has received $20 million over the past 20 years. Much of that money was spent on YE programming administered outside of Kansas.

Read More

Kansas vs. Nebraska, Wichita vs. Omaha, Koch vs. Buffett

Two Midwestern cities. Two local billionaires (Koch and Buffett).
Which one can boost prosperity?

Susie Buffett’s mission is to support Omaha’s least-advantaged residents. Here’s how she does it

Charitable giving in Wichita and Omaha — check out the differences

Omaha ‘does a great job of investing in itself.’ Thank wealthy residents
with a good attitude

_______________________

Other Koch-associated philanthropic donations in the last 20 years include:

• $3 million for Kansas State University programming and scholarships

• $2 million to support Wichita’s Salvation Army community center

• $1 million to the Nature Conservancy of Kansas to expand and enhance its preserves

• $1 million for University of Kansas programming and scholarships

• $360,500 to Rise Up for Youth, a program serving Wichita minority youths

(Data provided by Koch Industries)