The Jackie Robinson Foundation recently celebrated a monumental contribution from two prominent figures in the sports industry, marking a significant milestone for the organization known for its scholarships and the Jackie Robinson Museum.
Thomas Tull, Co-Chairman of TWG Global, along with Mark Walter, CEO and Co-Chairman of TWG Global and principal owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, have generously bestowed a $20 million donation—the largest ever received by the foundation. This substantial funding will be directed towards bolstering the scholarship initiatives and supporting the Jackie Robinson Museum, which first opened its doors in 2022 at the vibrant crossroads of Tribeca and Soho in New York City.
Expressing her delight regarding the transformative donation, Della Britton, President and CEO of the Jackie Robinson Foundation, described her reaction as one of “glee” and noted the donation’s “transformational” nature.
“This donation is a tremendous boon, allowing us to further invest in the museum and enhance the programming we’ve passionately developed over the past three years,” Britton shared during an interview with Forbes. “Moreover, it strengthens the scholarship aspect of our operations, which is incredibly rewarding.”
Britton also conveyed her profound gratitude towards Walter and Tull for their unwavering commitment to preserving the legacy of Jackie Robinson. “Their dedication over the years has been extraordinary, and this donation elevates their commitment to unprecedented levels of impact,” she remarked.
Both Walter and Tull emphasized their motivation behind this investment as a belief in the enduring significance of Jackie Robinson’s legacy—a legacy characterized by courage, inclusivity, and breaking barriers. They view sports as a powerful vehicle for fostering meaningful, lasting change.
Both Walter and Tull said the investment was believing in the importance of Jackie Robinson’s legacy of courage, inclusion, and breaking barriers. They see sports as being able to contribute to lasting change.
“Team ownership is about more than competition; it’s about developing meaningful, sustained community,” said Mark Walter. “The work of the Foundation and Museum is deeply personal for me, as they ensure that Jackie’s impact as a Dodger, a trailblazer, and an American hero continues to inspire, educate, and engage new generations.”
“Bringing Jackie’s story to life was one of the most meaningful experiences of my career, giving me a profound appreciation for his strength, humility, and the enormous barriers he broke through – not just for baseball but for our country,” said Thomas Tull. “Jackie Robinson changed lives, and the JRF continues his values and legacy to inspire, educate, and advance future generations.”
The foundation has been a continual living legacy. Established by Rachel Robinson, Jackie’s widow, less than a year after his passing in 1973, it provides college scholarships and leadership development programs for high-achieving students with financial need. Britton said that there is an extensive mentoring and leadership development component that goes on year-round and that there have been 242 four-year scholarships. There is now an online component that sees 4,400 students enrolled.
What does Britton hope to see coming out of this donation and the offerings? Getting people out to visit the museum.
“I want people to know that we’re here and that we’re doing a lot of interesting things for all ages,” she said. “We’re doing financial literacy. We’re doing all kinds of interesting programming around sports, from the business of sports to women’s integration to all kinds of controversial issues.
“Rachel Robinson came to us and said, ‘I would love to have a museum for Jackie that tells his whole story.’ Many know of his athletic prowess. Many know of his barrier-breaking baseball career, but she wanted them to know the whole story, what really made him tick.”
