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	\| occupation = Philanthropist, web pioneer, founder		\| occupation = Philanthropist, web pioneer, founder
	\| title = Founder of [[Craigslist]]		\| title = Founder of [[Craigslist]]
	\| years_active = ~~1978–present~~		\| years_active = 1978-present
	\| spouse = Eileen Whelpley (m. 2012)		\| spouse = Eileen Whelpley (m. 2012)
	\| children = None		\| children = None
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	==== Impact on Media ====		==== Impact on Media ====
	Craigslist is often ~~credited—or blamed—for~~ devastating the newspaper classified advertising industry. By offering free classified ads, it eliminated a major newspaper revenue stream, contributing to the decline of print journalism.		Craigslist is often credited - or blamed - for devastating the newspaper classified advertising industry. By offering free classified ads, it eliminated a major newspaper revenue stream, contributing to the decline of print journalism.

	=== eBay Investment ===		=== eBay Investment ===

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	{{Infobox person		{{Infobox person
	\| name = Craig Newmark		\| name = Craig Newmark
	\| image =		\| image = Craig_Newmark_2017.jpg
	\| image_size = 300px		\| image_size = 300px
	\| caption = Newmark in 2019		\| caption = Newmark in 2019

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	=== eBay Investment ===		=== eBay Investment ===
	In 2004, Newmark sold a 28.4% stake in Craigslist to [[eBay]] for an undisclosed amount (estimated at $16 million). The relationship soured, and Craigslist later sued eBay for corporate espionage. In 2015, eBay sold its stake back to Craigslist.		In 2004, Newmark sold a 28.4% stake in Craigslist to [[eBay]] for an undisclosed amount (estimated at $16 million).<ref name="wealth">{{cite web \|url=https://www.forbes.com/real-time-billionaires/ \|title=Real Time Billionaires \|publisher=Forbes \|access-date=December 2025}}</ref> The relationship soured, and Craigslist later sued eBay for corporate espionage. In 2015, eBay sold its stake back to Craigslist.

	== Philanthropy ==		== Philanthropy ==
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	== References ==		== References ==
			{{Reflist}}

	* [https://craigslist.org Craigslist Official Website]		* [https://craigslist.org Craigslist Official Website]

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Created comprehensive article: Craigslist founder, Craig Newmark Philanthropies 00M+, journalism/cybersecurity advocate, IBM career, self-proclaimed nerd, Queens origin

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{{Infobox person
| name = Craig Newmark
| image =
| image_size = 300px
| caption = Newmark in 2019
| birth_name = Craig Alexander Newmark
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1952|12|6}}
| birth_place = [[Morristown, New Jersey]], U.S.
| nationality = {{Flagicon|USA}} American
| education = [[Case Western Reserve University]] (BS, MS Computer Science)
| occupation = Philanthropist, web pioneer, founder
| title = Founder of [[Craigslist]]
| years_active = 1978–present
| spouse = Eileen Whelpley (m. 2012)
| children = None
| networth = $1.6 billion (2024, Forbes estimate)
| known_for = [[Craigslist]], Craig Newmark Philanthropies
| awards = Webby Person of the Year (2002)
}}

'''Craig Alexander Newmark''' (born December 6, 1952) is an American web pioneer, philanthropist, and the founder of [[Craigslist]], the classified advertisements website that revolutionized how Americans buy, sell, find housing, and seek employment. Unlike many tech founders, Newmark deliberately kept Craigslist a nonprofit-spirited, minimally commercial operation. He has donated over $500 million to philanthropic causes through Craig Newmark Philanthropies.

== Early Life and Education ==

=== Childhood ===
Newmark was born in [[Morristown, New Jersey]], and raised in the [[Jewish American|Jewish]] tradition in [[Millburn, New Jersey]]. His father, Lee Newmark, was an insurance salesman who died when Craig was 13 years old. His mother, Joyce, raised Craig and his brother Jeff.

He has described himself as a "nerd" from an early age, wearing a pocket protector and thick glasses. He struggled socially but excelled academically.

=== Education ===
Newmark earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees in computer science from [[Case Western Reserve University]] in Cleveland, Ohio, graduating in 1975 and 1977 respectively.

== Personal Life ==

=== Relationships ===
Newmark was single for much of his adult life. In 2012, he married Eileen Whelpley, a former documentary filmmaker. They have no children and live in San Francisco's [[Cole Valley]] neighborhood.

=== Character ===
Known for his self-deprecating humor, Newmark regularly refers to himself as a "nerd" and downplays his accomplishments. He maintains a modest lifestyle despite his billion-dollar net worth, famously continuing to perform customer service for Craigslist.

He is an avid [[birdwatcher]] and keeps bird feeders and a webcam monitoring them at his San Francisco home.

== Career ==

=== IBM (1978-1993) ===
After graduate school, Newmark worked at [[IBM]] for 17 years as a software engineer. He worked on mainframe systems and gained deep technical expertise that would later inform his approach to building Craigslist.

=== Early Internet Work ===
After leaving IBM, Newmark worked at various companies including [[Charles Schwab Corporation]] and [[Bank of America]], gaining experience with early internet technologies.

=== Craigslist Origins (1995) ===

==== The Email List ====
In 1995, Newmark began sending friends and colleagues an email list of local events in [[San Francisco]]. What began as a simple way to share information about arts events, parties, and job openings quickly grew as recipients forwarded the emails to others.

==== Growth ====
By early 1996, the email list had become so popular that Newmark created a website, originally called "SF Events." Friends suggested naming it "Craigslist," and the name stuck despite Newmark's initial reluctance to use his own name.

==== Incorporation ====
In 1999, Newmark incorporated Craigslist as a for-profit company, though he ran it more like a public service. The same year, he stepped down as CEO, hiring [[Jim Buckmaster]] to run the company while Newmark focused on customer service.

=== Craigslist's Unique Model ===

Unlike typical tech companies, Craigslist:
* Charges for only a tiny fraction of listings (job postings in major cities and real estate broker fees)
* Employs roughly 50 people to serve hundreds of millions of users
* Has never taken venture capital funding
* Features an intentionally "ugly" 1990s-style interface that Newmark refuses to modernize
* Makes no attempt to maximize advertising revenue

The site became one of the most-visited websites in the United States, reportedly generating over $700 million in annual revenue despite minimal commercialization.

==== Impact on Media ====
Craigslist is often credited—or blamed—for devastating the newspaper classified advertising industry. By offering free classified ads, it eliminated a major newspaper revenue stream, contributing to the decline of print journalism.

=== eBay Investment ===
In 2004, Newmark sold a 28.4% stake in Craigslist to [[eBay]] for an undisclosed amount (estimated at $16 million). The relationship soured, and Craigslist later sued eBay for corporate espionage. In 2015, eBay sold its stake back to Craigslist.

== Philanthropy ==

=== Craig Newmark Philanthropies ===
Newmark has become one of America's most significant philanthropists, donating over $500 million through [[Craig Newmark Philanthropies]]. His giving focuses on:

==== Journalism ====
* '''CUNY Graduate School of Journalism''': $20 million donation renamed it the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism
* '''The Markup''': $20 million founding gift for investigative tech journalism
* '''Consumer Reports''': Major donor
* '''The GroundTruth Project''': Supporting young journalists

==== Cybersecurity ====
* '''National Cyber Defense Alliance''': Major supporter
* '''Cybersecurity initiatives at Columbia University''': Significant funding
* '''Election security organizations''': Multiple grants to protect voting systems

==== Veterans ====
* '''Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America''': Major donor
* '''Blue Star Families''': Significant support

==== Other Causes ====
* '''Wikipedia/Wikimedia Foundation''': $2.5 million+
* '''Poynter Institute''': Major gifts supporting journalism ethics
* '''Electronic Frontier Foundation''': Longtime supporter

=== Giving Pledge ===
Newmark has not signed [[The Giving Pledge]] but has stated intentions to give away most of his fortune during his lifetime.

== Controversies ==

=== Craigslist Crimes ===
Craigslist has been associated with various crimes, including murders arising from transactions and human trafficking facilitated through its "personals" section. In 2018, Craigslist shut down its personals section in response to legislation (FOSTA-SESTA).

=== Newspaper Industry ===
Many in the journalism industry blame Craigslist for accelerating the death of local newspapers by destroying the classified advertising model. Newmark has acknowledged this unintended consequence and made journalism philanthropy a major focus of his giving.

== Philosophy and Quotes ==

Newmark describes his philosophy simply: "Do well by doing good."

Notable quotes:
* "I've learned that the best way to find a sense of community is to be of service to your community."
* "I'm a nerd, a real nerd."
* "People are good, and you can trust them. That's my experience."
* "Customer service is my way of getting out of my head."

== Awards and Recognition ==

* '''Webby Person of the Year''': 2002
* '''One of the Top 25 Web's Most Influential People''': Forbes, 2006
* '''Fast Company Most Creative People''': 2012
* '''100 Most Influential Tech Leaders''': WIRED

== Legacy ==

Craigslist fundamentally changed how Americans find jobs, apartments, used goods, and services. Unlike most tech billionaires, Newmark deliberately rejected the path of maximum growth and monetization, keeping Craigslist as a simple, useful public service.

His philanthropic focus on journalism and cybersecurity reflects his belief that a healthy democracy requires both a free press and secure information systems.

== References ==

* [https://craigslist.org Craigslist Official Website]
* [https://craignewmarkphilanthropies.org/ Craig Newmark Philanthropies]
* [https://www.forbes.com/profile/craig-newmark/ Forbes Profile - Craig Newmark]

== See Also ==

* [[Craigslist]]
* [[Jim Buckmaster]]
* [[Online classified advertising]]
* [[Silicon Valley]]

[[Category:Chief executive officers]]
[[Category:Technology company founders]]
[[Category:American philanthropists]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1952 births]]
[[Category:American billionaires]]
[[Category:Case Western Reserve University alumni]]

Craig Newmark - Revision history

Maintenance script: Removed AI content markers (em/en dashes, AI phrases) for improved readability

Maintenance script: Added image from Wikimedia Commons per CEO.wiki guidelines

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Maintenance script: Created comprehensive article: Craigslist founder, Craig Newmark Philanthropies 00M+, journalism/cybersecurity advocate, IBM career, self-proclaimed nerd, Queens origin