In a landmark move that bridges old and new philanthropy, YouTube superstar MrBeast has announced a major strategic partnership with the esteemed Rockefeller Foundation. The collaboration, revealed on Monday 24th November 2025, aims to mobilise young people worldwide to support vulnerable populations, with an immediate focus on combating child labour.
A Meeting of Philanthropic Minds
The initiative brings together Beast Philanthropy, the charitable organisation founded by Jimmy Donaldson (MrBeast), and the Rockefeller Foundation, which boasts a 112-year legacy of tackling global issues. The alliance seeks to merge Donaldson's unparalleled reach among younger audiences with the Foundation's deep well of experience and resources.
Speaking from MrBeast's studio in Greenville, North Carolina, Donaldson expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership. He acknowledged the vast knowledge gap, stating, "I've spent my entire life making YouTube videos. They've spent their entire lives helping people." He added that the opportunity to "download their brains into our team's brains" was an incredible prospect for his organisation.
Engaging a New Generation
Dr Rajiv Shah, President of the Rockefeller Foundation, identified a key challenge the philanthropic sector has historically faced: capturing the hearts and minds of hundreds of millions of young people. He believes MrBeast is uniquely positioned to solve this, making complex global problems feel accessible and surmountable.
Dr Shah pointed to a previous MrBeast video in Zambia, which provided a village with solar power and clean water, as proof that his content can dramatically shift perceptions. "If we can get people believing that they can make a difference through this collaboration," Shah concluded, "we will have achieved something really unique and really special."
From Online Buzz to Real-World Impact
This partnership marks a significant evolution for the MrBeast empire. It's a surprising union, contrasting the Rockefeller Foundation's origins in 19th-century oil wealth with Donaldson's status as a titan of the 21st-century influencer economy.
Dr Shah admitted that the Foundation rarely enters corporate partnerships but was convinced by Donaldson's genuine personal commitment to philanthropy. He also noted a natural alignment in their data-driven, results-oriented approaches.
While specific joint grants are still being finalised, the organisations have already begun work to eradicate child labour in the cocoa industry. Donaldson's snack company, Feastables, will serve as a case study, demonstrating that chocolate can be profitable without exploitative practices by ensuring farmers receive a living income.
To further this mission, both teams plan to visit Ghana early next year to learn from each other's work. Donaldson hopes to inspire his massive audience to "do good and volunteer and donate," while relying on the Rockefeller Foundation's expertise to maximise impact and create real, lasting change.
