Kanye West Foundation Closes

The College Dropout will no longer be helping potential dropouts through his charity.

The Kanye West Foundation has closed down, according to a report from the New York Times. “I am reaching out to let you know that the Kanye West Foundation (kanyewestfoundation.org) has officially closed it doors after a successful 4+ years of programming and events,” said Joseph Collins, the organization's former executive director via e-mail. “It has been an incredible experience working with Kanye and the board to realize his mother’s vision and I am honored to have been given the opportunity to lead the Foundation.”

The foundation was created in hopes of helping reduce high school dropout rates. According to the Times, the charity had been able to raise the majority of its money from companies and people with whom Kanye is associated, rather than being backed by West himself. From 2007 through 2009, the foundation raised an average of $492,000 yearly and and made grants averaging $18,080 in each of those years.

Kanye and foundation representatives did not respond when the Times reached out. —Adam Fleischer