Billionaire David Rubenstein Sure Funds a Lot of DC Stuff

Construction is beginning on a new visitor center at the Lincoln Memorial, and $18.5 million of the cost was donated by local billionaire David Rubenstein. It’s hardly the first time he’s put his money into local projects. A quick (partial) look:

National Archives

In 2007, Rubenstein bought one of four copies of the 1297 Magna Carta. The document is now on display at the Archives. Additionally, he made a $13.5 million gift that led to the creation of the David M. Rubenstein Gallery.

The National Zoo’s giant-panda program

He donated $4.5 million in 2011 to fund the lovable creatures for five years.

White House Historical Association

Rubenstein put $15 million toward various projects in 2010 and 2014.

George Washington’s Mount Vernon

In 2013, Rubenstein helped fund construction of the Washington Library and helped create the David M. Rubenstein Rare Books and Manuscripts Endowment.

Washington Monument

After the 2011 earthquake, Rubenstein offered more than $10 million to finish repairs.

National Museum of African American History & Culture

Rubenstein donated $10 million in 2016 and loaned the museum his rare copies of the 13th Amendment and the Emancipation Proclamation.

Kennedy Center

The Reach, which opened in 2019, was funded by his $50 million gift. (He’s also chairman of the Kennedy Center board.)

US Holocaust Memorial Museum

In 2022, Rubenstein announced he’d pay $15 million to help digitize the museum’s collection.

Library of Congress

He supplied $10 million toward construction and improvement of the collections in its Thomas Jefferson Building.

WETA

He gave $1 million in 2014 to support the public-­TV station’s programming—and hosts two shows there himself.

DC Public Schools Scholarships

This program, endowed by Rubenstein, has awarded more than $9.7 million to 656 scholars.

This article appears in the April 2023 issue of Washingtonian.
This article was briefly posted with a lead image that was not David Rubenstein; we apologize for any confusion.

Katie Kenny

Editorial Fellow