Citadel CEO Ken Griffin Donates $2.25M to MrBeast’s Team Water Campaign
You know, it’s not every day that a hedge fund billionaire and a YouTube superstar end up working together for a global cause, but that’s exactly what happened recently. MrBeast, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, made headlines last week when he appeared on the TODAY show with his longtime collaborator Mark Rober. Together, they’re spearheading an ambitious philanthropic campaign called Team Water, aiming to raise $40 million this August to provide clean water to millions of people around the world.
During the segment, Dylan Dreyer asked if there was anyone the duo wanted to challenge to contribute, and with a grin, MrBeast pointed to the camera and said, “Ken Griffin, you’ve got a lot of money, come on, help us out!” Ken Griffin, the CEO of the hedge fund Citadel, answered that challenge in a way that immediately grabbed attention: he donated $2.25 million to Team Water. That donation not only put him at the top of the leaderboard but also set a powerful example of how influential figures can mobilize resources for a good cause.
MrBeast later shared a video expressing his gratitude, saying, “Last week we called out Ken Griffin, and he ended up donating over $2 million to Team Water. He’s on top of the leaderboard, and that’s all because of you guys. Thank you so much for having me.” The fundraiser benefits WaterAid, a nonprofit organization, and it’s been explained that just one dollar can provide a person with access to clean water for a whole year.
Team Water is actually the latest in a series of high-profile environmental and humanitarian initiatives by MrBeast and Rober. They previously collaborated on Team Trees, which focused on planting millions of trees, and Team Seas, which aimed to clean up the oceans. The scale of Team Water is particularly impressive, and it’s been supported by other creators and companies like Google, YouTube, TikTok, and CrateRoyaleCR, all contributing millions to the cause.
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Recently, MrBeast also took the initiative to stream on Kick alongside popular creators like Adin Ross and xQc. The live stream was not for personal profit but rather to raise even more donations for Team Water. Interestingly, there had been rumors that Kai Cenat wouldn’t participate because of Adin Ross’s involvement, but MrBeast clarified on social media that wasn’t the case, emphasizing that Kai remains an important part of the initiative.
This combination of viral influence, high-profile challenges, and substantial donations shows just how creative fundraising can be in the digital age. Millions are watching, donating, and being educated about global issues, all while enjoying content they love. As of now, with Griffin’s record-breaking donation and contributions from other creators during the Kick stream, Team Water is already approaching $16 million, and the momentum is expected to continue through the end of August.
It’s an inspiring reminder that when the worlds of finance, social media, and philanthropy intersect, real-world impact can happen—and it can happen fast. Clean water for millions is no longer just a goal on paper; thanks to these efforts, it’s becoming a reality.
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