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38. Dan Duncan & family

Oil and gas

2004-08 Giving* $259 million

A cancer survivor, Duncan and his family have given millions to hospitals, including a $35 million gift this year to establish an institute at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. Last year, Duncan and his family gave $50 million to Texas Children's Hospital. This builds on a $100 million gift in 2006 to the Baylor College of Medicine at the Texas Medical Center in Houston. Duncan also funds a neurodevelopment clinic for children at the University of Texas Health Science Center and supports the Boy Scouts of America and several Texas organizations serving orphans and underprivileged youth. His 5,000-acre Double "D" Ranch has introduced more than 250 children to the sports of hunting and fishing. The Houston philanthropist pledged $25 million to the Houston Museum of Natural Science for a new wing.

For more, visit the Dan L. Duncan Family Foundation topic on Business Exchange.

*Based on public records and interviews with donors
Data: BusinessWeek, The Chronicle of Philanthropy and the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University

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