Flush with $30 million in contributions from two wealthy donors, organizers for TheDream.US scholarship fund are putting out the call for more donations to help fund the educations of immigrant youth without legal status in the U.S.
Organizers say pledges of $15 million each from hedge fund manager Bill Ackman and former Washington Post publisher Donald Graham will provide $25,000 scholarships to 1,200 such students.
"My great grandparents were immigrants to this country and ultimately paved the way for my parents and me to get a wonderful education. I am delighted to be able to pay it forward by expanding The Pershing Square Foundation’s partnership with TheDream.US," stated Ackman.
They launched a campaign Wednesday, dubbed "I'm In," to attract donations from other philanthropists in hopes of funding scholarships for 5,000 youth who arrived or stayed in the country illegally but have been temporarily protected from deportation through the 2012 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, program.
Ackman, founder and CEO of Pershing Square Capital Management and Graham, CEO of Graham Holdings Co., have previously contributed $10 million each, TheDream.US said in a news release.
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