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School Building Plan Dropped, But Philanthropist Still Wants to Help

DETROIT-Mayors and governors from around the country are interested in talking with metro area philanthropist Robert Thompson as he spends most of 2004 deciding how best to spend $200 million of charity money.

By Dan Heaton | Updated on March 01, 2004

DETROIT-Philanthropist Robert Thompson has several months to figure out what he wants to do with $200 million. And there’s people around the nation that would love to talk with him.

“I’ve talked to governors and mayors who say ‘Come on. We want your help,’” Thompson said during a recent luncheon meeting of the Detroit Economic Club at Cobo Center in the city. Early last year, Thompson came up with a plan whereby he would spend about $200 million to build a string of 15 charter high schools in the City of Detroit. When controversy arose over how that money would be spent and who would have control of those schools, Thompson withdrew his offer and said he was taking a year off before making any more decisions. That was in October.

Thompson of Plymouth rose from humble beginnings and made millions running a road construction company. He made headlines in 1999 when he sold the company and gave more than $100 million to the employees. He also established a charitable foundation, which he now runs, that he funded with more than $200 million.

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