Kanye West charity mysteriously closes

By Alexandra Heilbron on April 21, 2011 | 7 Comments


The Kanye West Foundation, whose mission was to help combat the severe dropout problem in schools across the United States, has mysteriously closed. According to The New York Times, the charity’s executive director, Joseph Collins, sent an e-mail to associates last month, telling them the news. It read: “I am reaching out to let you know that the Kanye West Foundation has officially closed it doors after a successful 4+ years of programming and events. It has been an incredible experience working with Kanye and the board to realize his mother’s vision and I am honored to have been given the opportunity to lead the Foundation.” When the paper reached Collins by phone, he didn’t want to comment, saying, “You’d have to get in touch with Mr. West.” However, efforts to reach Kanye were unsuccessful and emails and phone messages left for Michelynn Woodard, the organization’s chairwoman, were unanswered. The paper reports that although the charity filed tax forms as if it were a private foundation, it didn’t appear to have been financed by Kanye — the bulk of donations came from companies and individuals associated with the rapper, such as Madison Square Garden, retailer Karmaloop, Live Nation Music Group and Goldenvoice. Unfortunately, the donations dropped off drastically in 2009. Kanye’s mother, Dr. Donda West, who died in 2007 of complications following a cosmetic surgery procedure, formed the charity in her son’s name. According to the website, she was a “dedicated English professor” who “was passionate about student success.”

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Comments & Discussion

  1. Andrea • April 21, 2011 @ 12:12 AM

    That’s too bad, sounds like it was a good charity.

  2. Bill • April 21, 2011 @ 9:57 AM

    I can hardly imagine that Kanye West would put any kind of effort into helping others through this Foundation when his sole purpose in life is to focus on himself. I’m sure that the Foundation became an inconvenience for him, so he’s devoting his efforts to more mirror-time.

  3. Andrew • April 21, 2011 @ 10:32 AM

    I have to agree, Bill. Maybe his mom was a charitable person who thought of others (she put the foundation in his name, not her own even though it was her idea and her work that made it happen) but from what I’ve witnessed, he’s totally into himself and his needs. He doesn’t ever seem to think about anyone around him.

  4. G-Quality • April 21, 2011 @ 1:44 PM

    Kanye is greedy. Anyone who thinks they are a legend before their first album drops needs to be put in their place. Looks like this is yet another typical Kanye move of putting himself before anyone. I really wish someone would melt his career, better artists have been handed their walking papers yet this guy walks around like he’s bulletproof.

  5. Linda • April 21, 2011 @ 1:50 PM

    West and Brown are two of a kind. Too bad they are successful. So many others are deserving.

  6. Kathleen • April 24, 2011 @ 1:54 PM

    that’s terrible! Sounds like Kanye just went ahead behind the back of the Executive Director and closed out the account holding the “charitable” donations, so he could pocket it for himself! I wouldn’t put it past him!! He’s a very materialistic person, and very “flashy”. He’d maybe decided that the “charity” wasn’t doing very well, so, what the Hell–just take the money for himself!! He’s far from being an Angel!

  7. Linda • April 24, 2011 @ 9:22 PM

    He needed the money for his diamond teeth!


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