Gates Foundation Gives Black History Museum $10M

WASHINGTON — The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is giving $10 million to the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture planned for the National Mall in Washington.

The grant announced Thursday will support the capital campaign for design and construction of the new museum.

Allan Golston, president of the foundation's U.S. programs, says the museum will make the stories and history of African Americans available to everyone.

Groundbreaking is expected in 2012, and the opening is slated for 2015. Construction is expected to cost about $500 million, with half the funds to be provided by Congress.

Museum director Lonnie Bunch has been quietly working to raise funds. He says the Gates Foundation grant is a vote of confidence for the project.

(This version CORRECTS APNewsNow. corrects title of foundation spokesman. Moving on financial and entertainment services.)

Comments

[CollegeConservative86]

These evil rich people... We should tax all their money away so they CAN'T give it to charity!

[db08]

Bravo to the Gates!!!!

[BLUEBIRD1234]

Yes a foundation of Bill Gates AND Melinda tycoon presented 10 million for the black's museum, very kind indeed.The foundation authority forgot the black's history of contribution in building the country where Mr. Gates now stands as financial tycoon,This is what happens after people crosses the river in a boat and then pushes the empty boat back to the the water once the hurdle is crossed for the current to take it away any where to repeat the same. So is to day this foundation's contribution reminds us of those days when America was built on the sweats and blood of these Blacks. This is the first and fore most history to be placed in the Black's Museum. What America is now and its people was not built and came to be in one day.

This is called ungrateful world, but how can you call Mr. Bill Gates ungrateful after all his great foundation made a contribution of 10 million which could have been a respectable contribution for all to appreciate had Mr. Bill Gates and Melinda would have made a personal contribution of $100million contribution for the project. It would then be worth mentioning that Bill Gates and Melinda made a contribution worth their standard to be inscribed on the walls of the institute in golden words.

[ZombyDwulf]

Hey Bill, spend a little of that money FIXING WINDOWS, Vista was win ME with lipstick, Win 7 is vista in drag....................fix your buggy products.

[jd2408]

I don't know ZombyDwulf, if he built them right he wouldn't be able to come out with new and improved every year or so. Thats how he keeps us on a string.

[sparky73]

So someone worth Billions, 10 million bucks is like me giving a $100. He should be disgraced by giving such a small amount. BOYCOTT Microsoft.

[CrazedSurfer]

The proper response when receiving such a gift is "Thank you for your generosity".

The message brought to you by a satisfied Apple customer.

[William Young]

Great story!

[70sFez]

Nice job Bill. Now, if you could just fix that pesky blue-screen-of-death thing...

But really, thanks for your generosity. :)

[Mercedes1981]

Great Work!

[cloudmaker]

Bill Gates is the antidote to news items about greedy corporate pigs gobbling at the health care trough .
Imagine if we had more billionaires like him.

[Knowledgeseeker]

This is what I'm talking about, we need more people like Bill Gates and Oprah

[bioluminescence]

Bill Gates is proof that when free enterprise works really well you need two careers. One making a fortune. And another trying to give it away.

[CoconutLime]

Free enterprise doesn't work all that well for the majority of Americans.

[2sunny]

Well done to Bill & Melinda Gates gift to new museum. Saving our countries history is admirable.

But I cannot help thinking if they could spare a few hundred, nay I say thousands, of the dire loss of their homes. HP front page is a glaring reminder to us who are safe and snug in our abodes.

just wondering......I remain 2sunny