Washington Life Magazine - June 2014 - Full Issue

Page 44

Dalia and Hossein Fateh

Bonnie and Ken Feld

Jean-Marie and Raul Fernandez

chronic disease and disability, including autism and autoimmune disorders. They also fund research into Alzheimer’s disease causes and therapies, in addition to organizing and underwriting conferences for the scientific community and the public. Some of their research is featured in “The Age of Aluminum,” a film that Claire Dwoskin produced which describes aluminum’s link to an array of serious chronic health conditions and diseases, including breast cancer. Outside of health causes, they have co-chaired several capital campaigns and say they have donated generously to universities, educational organizations, historic preservation, youth services and the Fairfax Public Library Endowment.

Feld Family Foundation have focused on the performing arts with $1.2 million dispensed to the District’s Duke Ellington School of the Arts over the years as well as other gifts to Signature Theatre and New York’s Actor’s Fund and Theatre Development Fund. The family has also given millions to the Salvation Army, American Red Cross, the Smithsonian Institution, Toys for Tots and Special Olympics. Their largest gift of record is $10 million to Boston University in 2010 to endow three professorships and support other mutually agreed projects. BU, which is Ken, Bonnie and Alana Feld’s alma mater, also received previous funding to build the Feld Family Career Center and Feld Family Skating Center.

HOSSEIN AND DALIA FATEH After receiving his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from George Washington University, Hossein Fateh went on to co-found DuPont Fabros Technology, one of Washington’s fastest-growing data center providers with clients like Microsoft and Yahoo. Over the years, the company has made Fateh and co-founder Lammot du Pont very wealthy indeed. But the Fatehs have put their fortune to good use, donating millions to various local and international causes, including Maret School (where Dalia Fateh is a trustee), Children’s Hospital and THEARC as well as New York’s Time in Children’s Arts Initiative, Los Angeles’ Skid Row, Cape Town’s Cool To Be Me children’s self-esteem program and London’s Popoli Khalatbari fund for humanitarian aid to earthquake victims in Iran. Last year, Dalia Fateh, a filmmaker whose company Salt Productions tackles social issues like human rights, women’s rights and the environment, served as chairman of the Meridian Ball.

RAUL AND JEAN-MARIE FERNANDEZ Last fall, the tech entrepreneur who founded ObjectVideo made headlines when he and Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank helped raise a record-breaking $4 million for Fight for Children’s Fight Night. That followed on the heels of Catholic Charities’ annual gala, which raised $2.1 million thanks to him and his stylish wife, Jean-Marie, who served as gala chairmen. The co-owner of Monumental Sports and Venture Philanthropy Partners also continues to fund educational and community nonprofits such as Boy Scouts of America, D.C. Public Education Fund, Georgetown University and The Community Foundation through his family foundation.

KEN AND BONNIE FELD Billionaire Ringling Bros. & Barnum and Bailey Circus owner Ken Feld is gradually handing over the reins of his entertainment empire to his three daughters, Alana, Nicole and Juliette Feld, and has intimated he’ll be focusing more on philanthropy in the years ahead. In the meantime, grants from the

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Gehan and Shafik Gabr

SHAFIK AND GEHAN GABR There are two types of giving: giving financially and giving of yourself.While Shafik Gabr is no stranger to financial philanthropy, his eponymously named foundation helps to fund 17 primary schools in Egypt, has treated over 60,000 medical care patients since 2006, inaugurated Cairo’s first free health center in 2014 and aids those working for women’s rights and human trafficking. Gabr places a strong emphasis on donating his time and expertise to youth. In 2012, he began underwriting the “East-West: The Art of Dialogue” initiative to bring young emerging American and Egyptian leaders together on extensive visits to Egypt and the U.S., as well

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