Doris Buffett, the late philanthropist and older sister of billionaire investor Warren Buffett, gave $30 million in 2008 to establish a scholarship fund that helps survivors of domestic violence pursue higher education.
By 2016, the program had awarded more than $35 million to about 2,000 women, giving survivors financial support as they worked toward a safer and more independent future.
The scholarship program, known as the Women’s Independence Scholarship Program (WISP), was created to help women who had escaped abusive relationships but faced financial barriers to continuing their education.
The program recognizes that leaving an abusive partner can be only the first step toward rebuilding a life, especially for women who must support themselves and their children.
Buffett established the scholarship initiative in 1999 through her Sunshine Lady Foundation. In December 2007, she announced plans to provide the program with its own endowment. On July 1, 2008, WISP became an independent organization, supported by her $30 million gift.
Doris Buffett, Warren Buffett’s sister, explains her philanthropic philosophy on “Good Morning America.”Photo by Steve Fenn/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images
According to WISP in March 2026, the organization has since awarded more than $50 million in grants to survivors across the United States and celebrated more than 3,000 graduates. These figures show how the program continued to grow beyond its first years.
Buffett recognized that money can play a major role in a survivor’s decision to leave an abusive relationship and build a new life.
According to WISP founder Doris Buffett, a key reason many women remain in abusive relationships is their fear that they will not have enough money to support themselves and their children if they leave.
Education offered a possible way forward. With access to college or other higher education, survivors could work toward better jobs, steady incomes and greater financial independence.
WISP was designed to support women who had experienced intimate partner abuse and wanted to continue their education after leaving their abusers. Its assistance helps students work toward their educational goals while facing the financial challenges that can come with starting over.
The program began with 124 scholarships in 1999. Its growth over the following years reflected the continuing need for financial support among survivors seeking education and a more stable future.
By 2016, WISP had awarded more than $35 million to approximately 2,000 women. By March 2026, its reported total had risen to more than $50 million in grants, with more than 3,000 graduates.
Doris Buffett became known for giving financial help directly to people facing difficult circumstances. Her approach differed from that of her brother Warren Buffett, who focused much of his charitable giving on large organizations and broad social issues.
Doris created the Sunshine Lady Foundation in 1996. Through her philanthropic work, she supported people and families facing hardship, including individuals who needed help with basic expenses and people seeking educational opportunities.
She also helped establish the Letters Foundation with her brother. The organization reviewed requests from people experiencing serious financial problems and provided grants when other options were limited.
Buffett and a team of volunteers reviewed letters from people seeking assistance. Their work included identifying applicants with urgent needs and deciding how financial support could make a practical difference.
The help could be personal and direct. Past examples included buying a used mobile home for a woman raising three grandchildren, providing a wheelchair to someone who needed one, and paying funeral expenses for a family facing a tragic loss.
This hands-on approach earned Buffett the nickname “retail philanthropist.”
Her scholarship work followed the same principle. Instead of treating education funding as an isolated expense, WISP connected financial assistance with a larger goal: helping survivors gain the skills and opportunities needed to support themselves.
Warren Buffett praised his sister’s commitment to helping people directly. In an interview with The Boston Globe, he said: “There’s no question the money I give away does a lot of good but Doris is giving time, and time is the scarcest commodity.”
Doris Buffett died at her home in Rockport, Maine, on Aug. 4, 2020. She was 92.
WISP’s March 2026 report highlighted the organization’s ongoing efforts to meet students’ needs. The organization also continued to provide encouragement and opportunities for students to connect with one another as they worked toward their educational goals.
By 2026, the program’s record of more than $50 million in grants and over 3,000 graduates demonstrated the reach of Buffett’s original commitment. Her $30 million gift in 2008 helped establish a lasting source of support for women whose education and financial security had been disrupted by abuse.
Related: Dwayne Johnson and Oprah Winfrey gave $10 million to launch the People’s Fund of Maui for wildfire survivors
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