Bernie Marcus (1929-2024), a consummate entrepreneur and philanthropist, passed away on November 4, 2024. He was 95.
Marcus’ name resonates deeply within the business world and the hearts of many who have benefited from his philanthropic efforts. Born in Newark, New Jersey, Marcus rose from humble beginnings to co-found The Home Depot, transforming it into the world’s largest home improvement retailer. But his legacy extends well beyond business success—it’s marked by his commitment to charitable giving and improving the lives of countless individuals.
Marcus, along with his wife Billi, founded the Marcus Foundation in 1989. Over the decades, the foundation has given more than $2.7 billion through 3,500-plus grants. Marcus’ funding focuses on five core areas: medical research and health care, Jewish causes, free enterprise (including veteran initiatives), the health and welfare of children and targeted community support.
A legacy of regional generosity
Marcus was keenly active in philanthropy in the Atlanta area, where he co-founded Home Depot. Marcus was instrumental in the creation of the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, having donated $250 million to fund its construction. Opened in 2005, it was one of the largest aquariums in the world at the time and has become a major tourist attraction and educational facility.
Marcus’ work extended into the medical field, with his support for the Grady Health System, a key health care provider in Atlanta, and through gifts to the Shepherd Center, specializing in spinal cord and brain injury rehabilitation. Additionally, in 1991 Marcus founded the Marcus Autism Center. Today, the Center is one of the largest autism treatment facilities in the U.S., providing comprehensive services for children with autism and related disorders.
The Marcus Foundation has also supported Construction Ready through various initiatives aimed at addressing the shortage of skilled trade workers. The foundation has provided significant financial support, including a $250,000 grant to Trade Talks USA, which collaborates with Georgia’s Construction Ready program. This funding helps stimulate interest in construction trades and supports educational resources to encourage younger workers to consider careers in the construction industry.
Support for the Jewish community
Marcus’ philanthropic efforts within the Jewish community are notable for their breadth and focus on education, heritage and service. He made substantial contributions to Jewish educational institutions, funding scholarships and programs that aim to improve the quality and accessibility of Jewish education. He supported the Israel Democracy Institute, Jewish Educational Loan Fund and Birthright Israel, among others.
Marcus was also deeply involved in preserving Jewish heritage and history. He funded the restoration and maintenance of synagogues, ensuring they remain centers of worship and community life for future generations.
He also created RootOne in 2020, a summer program of the Jewish Education Fund close to his heart that provides $3,000 scholarships to Jewish teenagers looking to solidify their Jewish identity and community in Israel. By participating in these programs, teens have the opportunity to deepen their connection to their Jewish heritage, build lifelong friendships and enhance their confidence as they prepare for adulthood.
Beyond education and heritage, Marcus significantly supported Jewish family services. He provided resources to organizations offering counseling, financial aid and other community support services to families in need. Through these contributions, Marcus continues to reinforce the fabric of Jewish communal life, ensuring families receive the support they need to thrive.
A firm believer in donor intent
Another hallmark of Marcus’ philanthropy was his belief in the importance of donor intent. He originally established his foundation with the stipulation that it sunset 30 years after his death, a benchmark that was later reduced to 20 years. He purposefully created an age differential on his board so most members will still be there at the foundation’s close. He also created ironclad parameters around how his money should be allocated.
In an interview with the Bridgespan Group, he spoke plainly about a time earlier in his life when he asked a member of a foundation board how they made their decisions. The trustee told him the donor had left no instructions, so “we give where we want to give, and even favor organizations the donor would have disliked.”
For Marcus, the impact was immediate and powerful and led to his determination to avoid the risks of perpetuity in his own foundation. “I don’t want people to be here in perpetuity. I think it’s a terrible thing to do. … People use that for their own benefit.… You’ve got to be dumb to let a foundation go on forever.”
Inspiration for future generations
Philanthropy Roundtable had a long and fruitful relationship with Marcus, typified in 2012 when Marcus won the Roundtable’s William E. Simon Prize for Philanthropic Leadership (now The Simon-DeVos Prize for Philanthropic Leadership).
Marcus’ legacy serves as an inspiration to entrepreneurs, philanthropists and
individuals across the globe. His life demonstrates the power of resilience, innovation and compassion. He has shown success is not merely measured in financial terms but in the positive impact one can make on society.
In celebrating Bernie Marcus, we honor a man whose actions have changed the world for the better and whose legacy will continue to inspire countless others to dream big, give generously and strive for excellence in all they do.
