Don and Ellie Knauss
Parents of Alec 10 and Kara ‘13
Don and Ellie Knauss–O’Dowd parents of Alec ’10 and Kara ’13 –believe in focusing their philanthropy. For them, educational institutions give them the biggest bang for their altruistic buck. “Education benefits everyone,” Ellie explains. “Regardless of zip code or ethnicity, for those who want to learn more, they’re the people we try to help.” While most of the Knausses’ giving is aimed at the university level, they made an exception for O’Dowd. Their donation of $2 million to the new O’Dowd Center is the largest individual gift ever made to the school.
Don is retired as chairman, CEO, and executive chairman of the board of The Clorox Company, where he and Ellie still fund the Knauss Scholars Program. They’ve also been lead donors to Texas A&M University, Indiana University, and the new complex at the University of San Diego’s Business School. Apart from their education focus, they’re big supporters of UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital in Oakland and, as a breast cancer survivor, Ellie has passionately advocated for that cause.
At O’Dowd, the Knausses have led by example. In 2017, they funded a $500,000 matching gift for financial aid that resulted in $1 million in endowment funding. They’ve also been key donors to the school’s Renaissance Campaign and the annual Transforming Lives Dinner. Ellie served for seven years on the Board of Regents.
Looking back on the O’Dowd education of their two youngest children, Ellie remembers, “As a family, we moved more than 20 times. We recognized O’Dowd was special with its phenomenal mission of nurturing the whole student. We really credit Steve Phelps with that vision and see this as a tribute to him. J.D. Childs and the entire staff have done a wonderful job of stewarding that spirit.”
The Knausses hope that their own generous gifts will inspire others to give to the school and its new O’Dowd Center. “Everybody has a part to play, no matter what size,” Ellie says. “You’ll feel so much better about yourself, about the school ... everybody wins.”