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.”