John D. Rockefeller V Donates $3 Million to US Chess Federation

by ChessBase
11/25/2020 – The US Chess Federation can look forward to a real windfall. The Rockefeller Foundation donates the sum of 3 million US dollars to the Federation and to US chess. This is the largest single donation the US Federation has ever received.

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John D. Rockefeller V Donates $3 Million to US Chess Federation

Transformative gift creates four new events and enhances existing ones

Press Release

CROSSVILLE, TN: The United States Chess Federation (US Chess) is pleased to announce that John D. Rockefeller V has donated three million dollars to our organization, the largest single gift ever presented to US Chess in our 81-year history. It is impossible to overstate the importance to US Chess of Rockefeller’s unprecedented generosity and his vote of confidence in the future of our organization. The donation creates four events, enhances three existing events, renames one, adds to the scholarship funds for the scholastic events, and creates a book fund to further strengthen the invitationals. The endowments ensure the tournaments will be run and the funds will be awarded in perpetuity. This all directly speaks to our 501(c)(3) educational mission to "empower people, enrich lives, and enhance communities through chess."

John D. Rockefeller Sr. established the Rockefeller Foundation in 1913. Ever since, the Rockefeller family has embraced this legacy.

Rockefeller V explains, "Using wealth to shape the future is something Rockefellers have done for a long time. Starting in August of 2019, but especially during the first two months of COVID-19 in America, I decided it was time for me to do my part to continue the family legacy. I’ve never done anything approaching this scale of giving."

US Chess Executive Carol Meyer says, "John’s enthusiasm for scholastic chess is virtually unmatched. He is an unwavering optimist, believing in the transformative power of the game to improve the lives of young players through competition, study, and friendships.  US Chess and our community are grateful for his leadership giving and vision, which will extend invitational chess tournaments to more players across the various ages of membership."

About US Chess

The US Chess Federation (US Chess) is the official governing body and nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization for chess players and chess supporters in the United States. Our mission is to empower people, enrich lives, and enhance communities through chess. Our vision is that chess is recognized as an essential tool that is inclusive, benefits education and rehabilitation, and promotes recreation and friendly competition.

US Chess represents the United States in the World Chess Federation (FIDE), connecting our members to chess players around the world. Founded in 1939 with the merger of the American Chess Federation and the National Chess Federation, US Chess has grown to serve over 97,000 members by March 2020 and 2,000 affiliated chess clubs and organizations today.

Every year, US Chess sanctions and rates over 10,000 tournaments and over half a million games. We host over 25 National Championships and award titles to both amateurs and professionals, ranging from elementary school students to senior citizens.

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