Billionaire Ken Griffin just gave $50 million to the University of Miami — his largest gift yet in the Sunshine State

• Ken Griffin just gave $50 million to the University of Miami for cancer research
• It's the billionaire founder of Citadel's biggest philanthropic gift to Florida yet.
• It comes one month after he paused giving to Harvard, his alma mater. 

The billionaire founder and CEO of Citadel today announced his biggest gift yet to his new home of Florida.

Ken Griffin gifted $50 million to the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of the University of Miami's medical school, to help advance cancer research, according to a press release.The gift will result in a new 12-story research facility being named after Griffin.

This announcement came almost a month after Griffin said he would no longer donate to Harvard because of its poor control over antisemitism on campus— last year he donated over $300 million to the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, according to The Harvard Crimson.

"Until Harvard makes it very clear that they're going to resume their role as educating young American men and women to be leaders, to be problem solvers, to take on difficult issues, I'm not interested in supporting the institution," said Griffin.

In 2022, Citadel moved its headquarters from Chicago to Miami— because of increasing rates of crime and violence throughout the city. Since moving to Miami, Griffin has been making his mark on the Sunshine State, including a slew of charitable gifts and big real-estate purchases.

He's also touted Miami as a future financial hub, predicting it could take over New York.

The founder of Citadel, a hedge fund, and Citadel Securities, a trading firm, Griffin is the 35th richest person in the world with $38.6 billion, according to Forbes.

The new building, to be named the Kenneth C. Griffin Cancer Research Building, will be one of the largest standalone buildings for cancer research across Florida, the University of Miami's press release said. It will contribute to helping create and find new therapies and expand on ongoing clinical trials and is set to open in 2025.

"The Ken Griffin name has become synonymous with philanthropic leadership that drives value in the communities in which he operates," said University of Miami Health and System board chair, Stuart A. Miller.

"Miami is privileged and fortunate to now call Ken Griffin one of our own."