Morris Silverman (philanthropist)
Encyclopedia
Morris "Marty" Silverman (1912–2006) was a Jewish-American philanthropist
and businessman who donated millions of dollars to causes worldwide, mainly in health and science sectors.
He was born and raised in Troy, New York
, where he also opened a gas station which he successfully used to help pay for his college tuition. After attending New York University
and Albany Law School
he moved to New York City
with his wife, Dorothy (who died in 1985), to go into business. He joined the U.S. Army and became a Major during World War II, earning two Purple Hearts, a Silver Star, two Bronze Stars, four Battle Stars, and a Combat Infantryman Badge
.
Most of his money came from selling his company, National Equipment Rental, which he started after returning home from World War II
. He sold the company in 1984 after it grew to be the largest privately-held leasing company in America. After selling the company he founded the Marty and Dorothy Silverman Foundation.
One of his largest contributions was a $50 million dollar pledge to found the Albany Medical Center Prize in Medicine and Biomedical Research.
Its stated objectives include:
"Support for programs that address the special needs of indigent senior citizens, including nursing homes and hospitals. Grants may also be made to educational and cultural organizations, and health and welfare agencies."
The Albany Medical Center Prize in Medicine and Biomedical Research is the second largest prize award in the world, next to the $1.3 million Nobel Prize
.
Philanthropist
A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes...
and businessman who donated millions of dollars to causes worldwide, mainly in health and science sectors.
He was born and raised in Troy, New York
Troy, New York
Troy is a city in the US State of New York and the seat of Rensselaer County. Troy is located on the western edge of Rensselaer County and on the eastern bank of the Hudson River. Troy has close ties to the nearby cities of Albany and Schenectady, forming a region popularly called the Capital...
, where he also opened a gas station which he successfully used to help pay for his college tuition. After attending New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
and Albany Law School
Albany Law School
Albany Law School is an ABA accredited law school based in Albany, New York. It was founded in 1851 by Amos Dean , Amasa Parker, Ira Harris and others....
he moved to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
with his wife, Dorothy (who died in 1985), to go into business. He joined the U.S. Army and became a Major during World War II, earning two Purple Hearts, a Silver Star, two Bronze Stars, four Battle Stars, and a Combat Infantryman Badge
Combat Infantryman Badge
The Combat Infantryman Badge is the U.S. Army combat service recognition decoration awarded to soldiers—enlisted men and officers holding colonel rank or below, who personally fought in active ground combat while an assigned member of either an infantry or a Special Forces unit, of brigade size...
.
Most of his money came from selling his company, National Equipment Rental, which he started after returning home from World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. He sold the company in 1984 after it grew to be the largest privately-held leasing company in America. After selling the company he founded the Marty and Dorothy Silverman Foundation.
One of his largest contributions was a $50 million dollar pledge to found the Albany Medical Center Prize in Medicine and Biomedical Research.
Marty and Dorothy Silverman Foundation
The Marty and Dorothy Silverman foundation is a 501(c)(3) (Non-profit) organization founded in 1986 with $40 million Morris Silverman received from selling his company, National Equipment Rental. In 2005 the foundation was worth $351,241,274 and had awarded a total of $6,876,470 in grants.Its stated objectives include:
"Support for programs that address the special needs of indigent senior citizens, including nursing homes and hospitals. Grants may also be made to educational and cultural organizations, and health and welfare agencies."
Albany Medical Center Prize in Medicine and Biomedical Research
From its website:
"The Albany Medical Center Prize serves to encourage and recognize extraordinary and sustained contributions to improving health care and promoting innovative biomedical research.
Awarded annually, the $500,000 prize is the largest prize in medicine in the United States and is bestowed to any physician or scientist, or group, whose work has led to significant advances in the fields of health care and scientific research with demonstrated translational benefits applied to improved patient care.
The prize is a legacy to its founder - the late Morris "Marty" Silverman. At the inaugural awards ceremony in Albany, NY in March 2001, Albany Medical Center Prize founder Marty Silverman started a tradition that will be carried on for the duration of the Prize - 100 years. Marty's promise was to light one candle each year to honor that year's recipient."
[1]
The Albany Medical Center Prize in Medicine and Biomedical Research is the second largest prize award in the world, next to the $1.3 million Nobel Prize
Nobel Prize
The Nobel Prizes are annual international awards bestowed by Scandinavian committees in recognition of cultural and scientific advances. The will of the Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, established the prizes in 1895...
.
Quotes
"Do good, forget the credits."
Sources
- http://www.amc.edu/Academic/AlbanyPrize/
- http://www.albany.edu/giving/gifts_at_work_archive.htm
- http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=990DE4DF1F3FF932A05752C0A9609C8B63
- http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C07E5DD1E30F93AA15752C0A9609C8B63
- http://foundationcenter.org/pnd/news/story.jhtml?id=130000006