Netflix CEO Reed Hastings is the latest mega-entrepreneur to commit to a big effort to pour money into education, with his announcement last week that he is creating a $100 million philanthropic fund.
Hastings has a strong interest in education policy that dates back many years. Perhaps best known as a prominent backer of charter schools, he has also served as the president of the California state school board.
The first two gifts from the philanthropy are to the United Negro College Fund and the Hispanic Foundation of Silicon Valley, worth a combined $1.5 million, to focus on college access. The Netflix chief did not immediately offer details on his other ambitions for the fund.
