David H. Koch Charitable Foundation and Personal Philanthropy

Ultra-sensitive chip-based devices allow researchers at the
David H. Koch Integrative Cancer Center to study changes in
nanoparticles or living cells with a million times greater
precision than ever before. Diagnosed with prostate cancer in
1993, David Koch serves on nearly a dozen boards for hospitals
and research institutions and has given millions for research
to beat the disease.

A long-time philanthropist, David H. Koch has given generously to a variety of organizations and causes for nearly three decades. Since 2000, he and the David H. Koch Charitable Foundation have pledged or contributed more than $750 million to further cancer research, enhance medical centers, support educational institutions, sustain arts and cultural institutions, and conduct public policy studies.

Mr. Koch earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in chemical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He joined Koch Industries, Inc. in 1970 and today serves as an executive vice president and board member. As chairman and president of Koch Membrane Systems, Inc., his passion for water technology has led to clean water innovations that have been exhibited at the International Desalination Association World Congress. Koch Membrane Systems is part of Koch Chemical Technology Group, LLC, a subsidiary of Koch Industries, Inc.

Medical & Cancer Research

As a prostate cancer survivor, David Koch’s gift of $100 million in 2007 created the David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT, which opened March 3, 2011. Other cancer-fighting gifts include:

In 2011, Mr. Koch received the Humanitarian of the Year award from the American Apparel and Footwear Association for his long-standing support of organizations working to find a cure for prostate cancer. The awards gala raised more than $1.1 million for the Prostate Cancer Foundation. In 2007, Mr. Koch was honored with the Double Helix Medal for Corporate Leadership from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory for supporting research that, “improves the health of people everywhere.”

Education & Science

Mr. Koch supports science-related projects including funding of the long-running PBS documentary series, “Nova,” and a science and technology center at Deerfield Academy in Massachusetts. As the national sponsor of The Bill of Rights Institute's 2009-2010 high school essay contest, Mr. Koch's philanthropy helps educate young people about the words and ideas of the nation's founders. Winners of the “Being An American" contest were honored at a gala held in Washington, D.C.

Mr. Koch’s $15 million gift to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C., created the David H. Koch Hall of Human Origins that opened spring 2010. The 15,000-square-foot exhibit offers visitors an immersive and interactive museum experience. In 2006, he made a $20 million gift to the American Museum of Natural History, creating the David H. Koch Dinosaur Wing.

Public Policy

A passionate believer in free societies, Mr. Koch has funded research and education programs that analyze how freedom creates prosperity and advances social progress.  He serves on the boards of the Cato Institute, the Reason Foundation and Americans for Prosperity Foundation.

Arts & Culture

Gifts to the arts from the David H. Koch Charitable Foundation have benefited the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the American Ballet Theater. In 2008, the foundation gave $100 million for the preservation and renovation of the State Theater of New York at Lincoln Center, home to the New York City Ballet and New York City Opera. The theater has been renamed the David H. Koch Theater.