Before he was confirmed as NASA administrator, Jared Isaacman was a billionaire who flew to space twice and also had a reputation for donating to good causes.
That altruism continued with an announcement Thursday that Isaacman has promised $500,000 to the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation (ASF), an Orlando-based nonprofit that was formed in 1984 by the six surviving Mercury 7 astronauts.
The donation, to be doled out over five years, is the largest one-time, personal gift in the history of the organization, which awards scholarships to students pursuing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) degrees.
“This extraordinary commitment represents a defining moment for the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation,” said ASF’s CEO and President Colleen Middlebrooks. “Jared’s investment will elevate our ability to identify and support the nation’s most promising STEM students while reinforcing the importance of building a strong pipeline of talent for the future.”
Isaacman hopes the scholarship will help students “tackle hard problems,” according to a press release about his donation.
“Throughout my career, I’ve been inspired by those who push the boundaries of what’s possible — and by the people who are determined to go even further,” said Isaacman in a press release. “That’s exactly what the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation is doing — championing students who take risks, tackle hard problems and pursue bold ideas.”
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Isaacman received a bachelor’s degree in aeronautics in 2011 from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, but that was after he had earned his fortune as founder and CEO of credit-card processing company Shift4 Payments, which allowed him to pursue his love of aircraft and eventually spaceflight.
“ASF isn’t just supporting scholars — it’s fueling a community of innovators connected to those who have led exploration firsthand,” he said. “These students are the Artemis generation, and their potential is limitless. I’m incredibly excited to support their journey as they push beyond what we know today.”
His charitable past was part of the both of his private space missions flown aboard SpaceX Crew Dragons — Inspiraiton4 in 2021 and Polaris Dawn in 2024. The first mission helped raise nearly $250 million for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, to which he himself had already donated more than $100 million over the years. Polaris Dawn also featured efforts to raise funds for the medical nonprofit based in Memphis known for treating childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases.
Over more than 40 years, the ASF has awarded more than $10 million in scholarships to students across the U.S. while also providing mentorship from astronauts, several of whom are on the foundation’s board of directors.
“This is a truly organization-changing gift — one that will expand opportunity, strengthen our mission and impact scholars for generations to come,” Middlebrooks said.
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