Two Miami billionaires just donated millions. Here’s where the money is going

Citadel CEO Ken Griffin and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, two of Miami’s most influential tycoon billionaires, continue channeling their wealth into what they consider worthy causes.

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Their latest causes involve preserving American history and protecting the world’s endangered species.

Here’s what to know:

Griffin’s gift

Griffin recently pledged $26 million to the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library which opened in July in North Dakota’s Badlands. The library called the gift, one of the largest in the institution’s history, according to the Griffin Catalyst website. The donation will help complete the library, with its west wing to bear Griffin’s name in recognition of his financial support.

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Bezos’ gift

Bezos and his wife Lauren Sanchez Bezos, are joining forces with actor an environmentalist Leonardo DiCaprio to launch the Phoenix Species Project, a $200 million initiative dedicated to saving 100 of the world’s most critically endangered species from extinction, Variety reported.

Florida has dozens of native animals on the federal and state endangered species lists, including the Florida panther, West Indian manatee, Smalltooth sawfish, Hawksbill sea turtle and the Everglades snail kite.

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The organizations called it the largest single fund in history dedicated exclusively to recovering critically endangered species.

South Florida impact

Griffin and Bezos have also played a significant role in South Florida’s rise as a global center for business and wealth.

Griffin relocated Citadel’s headquarters to Miami in 2022.

Bezos made Miami his primary home after purchasing several properties on the exclusive Indian Creek Island in 2023 and 2024.

Their latest philanthropic efforts underscore a broader trend among Miami’s business elite: using extraordinary wealth to mass real estate or make significant donations to public causes.

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This story was originally published August 7, 2026 at 6:18 AM.