Billionaire Aids Charity That Aided Him

Sergey Brin, the Russian-born co-founder of Google, has donated $1-million to the Jewish organization most responsible for his childhood immigration to the United States. The gift to the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society was the largest of several Mr. Brin gave to groups that assisted his family’s move from the Soviet Union 30 years ago, when he was 6. The aid society helped the Brins apply for visas, paid for transport, and gave them money as they moved from Russia to Paris to Maryland. “I would have never had the kinds of opportunities I’ve had here in the Soviet Union, or even in Russia today,” said Mr. Brin, who in recent months has publicly discussed giving away more of his estimated $16-billion fortune. “I would like to see anyone be able to achieve their dreams, and that’s what this organization does.”

Full-text post by Stephanie Strom is available via The New York Times, 10/24/09.