Jan. 15--The Barack Obama Foundation, charged with building the Obama presidential library, raised between $2.9 million and $6.2 million during its first year of operation, officials reported Thursday.
The majority of it -- between $2.3 million and $4.9 million -- was raised during the last three months of 2014. The donations primarily came from Chicago and New York investors, many of whom were big financial supporters of Obama's election and re-election bids.
Top donors were Michael Sacks, a Chicago investment banker, and wife Cari, who contributed a total of between $501,000 and $1 million, and Chicago investor and political financier Fred Eychaner, who also contributed between $501,000 and $1 million.
Other new donations included between $250,001 and $500,000 from the Chicago-based Joyce Foundation. Martin Nesbitt, president of the Barack Obama Foundation, and his wife, Dr. Anita Blanchard, contributed between $200 and $100,000.
The foundation is a nonprofit corporation charged with raising funds to build the Obama library and museum and leading the site selection process. The president and first lady are expected to decide where to build the library in late March.
dglanton@tribpub.com
