PHILANTHROPY

Mindy and Jon Gray

Philanthropists

The Blackstone executive made headlines in May 2025 with a historic $125 million donation to Tel Aviv University's Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences—the largest gift ever to the institution. Gray and his wife Mindy, through the Gray Foundation, dedicated the funds to address Israel's physician shortage, modernize medical education, and establish the "Hope Tower" with new dormitories, classrooms, and research facilities. "On my tombstone, it won't say 'generated high net returns,'" Gray told Israeli media. "We remain committed to trying to figure out how we can have an impact and make a difference." The donation focuses on BRCA-related cancers disproportionately affecting Ashkenazi Jews, following Mindy's sister's death from ovarian cancer at 44. Gray previously gave $100 million to BRCA research. Since launching their foundation, the couple has given over $350 million supporting low-income NYC youth education, healthcare access, and Jewish causes including substantial support to UJA-Federation of New York. The gift sparked hope for a wave of post-October 7 philanthropic giving to Israel.