$20 million latest gift from philanthropist Ken Griffin raises his donations well above the $2 billion mark, including major contributions to education, science, and cultural institutions

Billionaire philanthropist Ken Griffin has given a significant boost to one of South Florida’s most cherished landmarks with a $20 million donation to the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens in Miami.

The gift marks the beginning of an ambitious $100 million expansion of Vizcaya’s historic 12-acre farm village in Coconut Grove—a project designed to transform the site into a vibrant cultural, educational, and community hub.

Originally built in the early 1900s to support industrialist James Deering’s grand Vizcaya estate, the farm village once housed stables, dairies, and fields that supplied the main villa. Under the museum’s new master plan, those historic structures will be revitalized into spaces for exhibitions, conservation, and research, complemented by greenhouses, teaching kitchens, and expanded urban agriculture programs.

Vizcaya’s executive director, Joel Hoffman, said Griffin’s donation “can really help motivate our community to stand behind this extraordinary asset,” calling the moment pivotal for the museum’s future.

Griffin—founder of the Citadel financial enterprise and now a full-time Miami resident—also plans to relocate and restore Villa Serena, one of Miami’s most historically significant homes, to Vizcaya’s grounds.

Built in 1913 for renowned orator William Jennings Bryan, the Mediterranean-style villa will be preserved as part of Vizcaya’s cultural and educational offerings. Griffin acquired Villa Serena as part of the former estate of Lifestyles Magazine / Meaningful Influence cover subject and banker Adrienne Arsht, continuing a legacy of cultural stewardship and philanthropy deeply rooted in Miami’s civic history.

Renowned conservator Rosa Lowinger praised the project as “extremely conscientious,” noting that Griffin will fund the relocation, restoration, and a $5 million endowment for long-term maintenance.

In a statement, Griffin said, “Vizcaya’s vision for a vibrant Village will connect Miami to its remarkable past and inspire what’s possible for its future. Its expansion will bring history to life in new ways, sparking curiosity, creativity, and connection across our community. I’m proud to support an institution that reflects Miami’s spirit—its history, ambition, and enduring drive to create something extraordinary.”

Griffin’s donation continues a remarkable streak of philanthropy since his move to Florida.

His charitable giving—now exceeding $2 billion—includes major contributions to education, science, and cultural institutions.

Earlier this year, he pledged $50 million to launch Success Academy charter schools in Miami and partnered with the Bezos Family Foundation to support a math-learning initiative in Miami-Dade schools.

His previous gifts include record-setting donations to the University of Chicago, Harvard University, and Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry.

The Vizcaya initiative reflects Griffin’s growing role in shaping Miami’s cultural landscape—combining preservation, education, and community building to celebrate the city’s creative and civic spirit.