About The Marcus Foundation

The most important contribution you will make in your lifetime is helping fellow human beings. It is the most gratifying experience you will ever have. It will expand your heart.

—Bernie Marcus

The Marcus Foundation: Worldwide Impact

The success of The Home Depot allowed Bernie and his beloved wife Billi to establish The Marcus Foundation in 1989, which would enable them to advance causes that reflect their personal values.

Among the first to sign the Giving Pledge and consistently recognized among the top 20 donors in the country by Forbes, Bernie and Billi have donated more than $2 billion—and counting—which has saved and changed millions of lives. And in the process, they have transformed hundreds of organizations in Georgia and beyond with their emphasis on metrics, accountability, and impact.

30+ Years of Saving and Changing Lives

Thank you to Bernie Marcus for your generous work to help our nation's heroes in need!

BRIAN KEMP, GOVERNOR OF GEORGIA

It was clear from the city’s side that we wanted to accommodate and make possible (the aquarium) and that its construction would be smooth. All of us had so much respect for Bernie and Billi; if they thought it was a good idea, we were game!

SHIRLEY FRANKLIN, MAYOR OF ATLANTA (2002-2010)

Together, Coca-Cola and Georgia Aquarium could change the infrastructure of tourism in Atlanta.

A.J. ROBINSON, PRESIDENT, CENTRAL ATLANTA PROGRESS

Bernie always wants to the be and do the best of everything in a first-class way.

PETE CORRELL, CHAIRMAN OF GRADY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL CORPORATION

The enduring partnership of The Marcus Foundation in innovative research also helped to launch and sustain our immunotherapy research program, which is setting the pace for translating revolutionary discoveries into life-changing treatments.

ROBERT W. STONE, PRESIDENT AND CEO, CITY OF HOPE

My trajectory, and that of Georgia Tech, intersected with (Bernie and Billi) in numerous places, most conspicuously in 2006 when The Marcus Foundation made a remarkable gift of $15 million that allowed us to build the Marcus Nanotechnology Building.

WAYNE CLOUGH, PRESIDENT, GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (1994-2008)

Bernie’s incredible vision and support for the Marcus Center is enabling us to develop transformative tools and technologies so millions of patients can avail the promise of cell therapies at a lower cost and with better consistent quality.

DR. KRISH ROY, DIRECTOR, MARCUS CENTER FOR THERAPEUTIC CELL CHARACTERIZATION AND MANUFACTURING (MC3M), GEORGIA TECH

We are honored and grateful to be the home for both the Marcus Stroke and Neuroscience Center and the Marcus Trauma and Emergency Center. These two centers of excellence literally change and save lives every day and have allowed us to recruit doctors and other medical professionals who are at the top of their respective fields.

JOHN M. HAUPERT, PRESIDENT AND CEO, GRADY HEALTH SYSTEM

This is the new evolution of spine surgery. Robotics allow us to perform minimally invasive surgeries with increased safety and precision, leading to less blood loss, less post-operative pain and faster recovery.

DR. FRANK VRIONIS, DIRECTOR, MARCUS NEUROSCIENCE INSTITUTE, BOCA RATON REGIONAL HOSPITAL

This is a watershed day for the advancement of neurosciences in Florida and beyond. The Marcus Foundation's magnificent commitment will allow the creation of an institute that will be sought out not only by those in need of the most sophisticated levels of care but also by those who have the ability, training, and experience to deliver that care. The benefits of this generosity will be felt by generations of patients and professionals alike.

JERRY FEDELE. PRESIDENT AND CEO, BOCA RATON REGIONAL HOSPITAL

The gifts... represent a huge boost to the tens of thousands of heart patients currently cared for by our more than 100 Piedmont Heart physicians. His help in expanding our services and supporting that work with the best technology and most modern facilities will help us have an even larger positive impact on our patients lives.

CHARLES L. BROWN III, MD, CEO, PIEDMONT PHYSICIANS ENTERPRISE

The Marcus Foundation’s generosity and investing its resources in Piedmont has been truly humbling. Piedmont exists to serve its patients and in its 114 year history, we have had no greater benefactor than Bernie and The Marcus Foundation.

KEVIN BROWN, PRESIDENT AND CEO, PIEDMONT HEALTHCARE

The Marcus National Blood Services Center embodies the most moving essence of our shared humanity. To receive a blood transfusion — the irreplaceable gift of life — from complete strangers is a stark reminder that we are one living, breathing tapestry of humanity, now safeguarded in this impressive new center.

ISAAC HERZOG, THE PRESIDENT OF ISRAEL

… what we do at Boulder Crest is to teach folks to live the life that you have made possible. To teach our nation’s warriors that post traumatic growth is possible and that our new mission is to come home from war and be the productive member of society here at home that we were overseas. Our goal Sir is to make the world a better place. Our goal Sir is to show you that your investment in Boulder Crest goes way beyond the Warrior.

KEN FALKE, FOUNDER AND CHAIRMAN, BOULDER CREST INSTITUTE

Billi and Bernie believed in us from the beginning as we dreamed to do the impossible, establishing a specialized rehabilitation program following the catastrophic accident our son, James, experienced. With The Marcus Foundation's generosity, we were able to grow from a singular focus on patients with spinal cord injury to now also providing life-restoring care for patients with brain injury, multiple sclerosis and other neurological disorders.

ALANA SHEPHERD, SHEPHERD CENTER CO-FOUNDER AND CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

He (Bernie) was a big impetus. He gave us the initial capital. And with that money we were able to merge with other parent groups. The result is Autism Speaks, a 19-year-old nonprofit that employs more than 200 worldwide and invests more than $500 million in its mission, the four pillars of which are science, advocacy, family services and awareness.

BOB WRIGHT, CO-FOUNDER, AUTISM SPEAKS

Some people come to us and they want to do good. Others come to us and want to do good for a specific number of people over a specific amount of time to show specific results. We must understand the bottom line-finish line. When you really ask the questions and break it down, you come to understand what they want to achieve, in what timeline, and the targeted outcome. We want to understand and give toward the long-term plan.

—Bernie Marcus

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