Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur who relocated to Texas during the pandemic, is set to launch a university in Austin, as revealed by tax filings for his latest charity, The Foundation. Musk has earmarked approximately $100 million as the initial endowment for the institution, which will commence operations with a primary and secondary school focused on STEM education.
The long-term vision outlined in the tax-exempt status application submitted to the Internal Revenue Service involves the expansion of the educational initiative to establish a university dedicated to providing education at the highest levels. The university is intended to offer a traditional curriculum supplemented by hands-on learning experiences, including simulations, case studies, fabrication/design projects, and labs.
The application, filed in October 2022 and approved in March, outlines plans for the university to seek accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. The institution is expected to feature experienced faculty and an innovative curriculum to deliver a high-quality educational experience.
Elon Musk has previously ventured into the realm of education. About a decade ago, he founded Ad Astra on SpaceX’s California campus, primarily for his children and a few others affiliated with the space company. When Musk relocated to Texas in 2020, the school also made the move.
The city of Austin, already a hub of higher-education innovation with the University of Texas’ main campus, is poised to see further academic developments with Musk’s new university. This initiative aligns with a broader trend of innovative educational models, as seen with the University of Austin, launched two years ago as an alternative to traditional U.S. colleges.
Musk’s latest STEM school is anticipated to begin with an initial class of 50 students, and The Foundation is actively recruiting key personnel, including an executive director, teacher, and administrator. The foundation’s trustees include individuals such as Jared Birchall (head of Musk’s family office) and Steven Chidester (a tax attorney at Withersworldwide).
Beyond educational endeavors, Musk has been active in philanthropy, including sending $2.2 billion worth of Tesla stock to his Musk Foundation in 2022. The foundation has also made contributions to organizations such as World Central Kitchen, Khan Academy, and a donor-advised fund at Fidelity Charitable.
As the world’s richest person with a net worth of $220.8 billion, Elon Musk continues to diversify his interests, recently making headlines for his plans to create a town outside of Austin, complete with recreational facilities, a school, and subsidized housing for employees of Tesla, SpaceX, and the Boring Co. If approved, the municipality would occupy thousands of acres acquired by Musk in recent years.
