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Founder of craigslist donates $50,000 to support the open web

Web Foundation · October 11, 2018

Craig Newmark, the founder of craigslist and Craig Newmark Philanthropies, has donated $50,000 to the Web Foundation to support our work to deliver digital equality. Craig Newmark Philanthropies works to advance people and grassroots organizations that are “getting stuff done” in areas that include trustworthy journalism, voter protection, gender diversity in technology, and veterans and military families.

The funds will allow us to drive our work forward to help ensure that everyone, everywhere can access the web and use it to improve their lives. Soon, half of the world’s population will be online. While a moment to celebrate, this is also a reminder of how much needs to be done to make sure that the rest of the world can access a web that is affordable, useful and safe.

Announcing the grant, Craig Newmark said:

“When Tim Berners-Lee invented the web, he gave it away for free, believing it would change people’s lives for the better. And while it’s been a real force for good, we have work to do to make sure everyone can access its benefits. I’m proud to support the Web Foundation and its work to help ensure there’s a web that works for and is inclusive of everyone.”

Adrian Lovett, Web Foundation President & CEO said:

“As an early web pioneer, Craig knows its transformative power first-hand. He has a track record of supporting causes that are fundamental to sustaining democratic values. We’re incredibly grateful that he’s backing our work to defend an open web that supports equality, inclusion and democracy.”

Craig Newmark is a web entrepreneur, speaker and philanthropist. When he monetized his company, craigslist, he decided to do so minimally, opting for a business model that prioritizes “doing well by doing good.” In 2016, he created Craig Newmark Philanthropies to support and connect people and drive broad civic engagement.


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