An Open Letter to the Seattle Arts Community

I am writing to share my past experiences, the lessons I've learned, and how I hope to serve all of you — and the arts more broadly — moving forward.

Throughout my life, I've been passionate about supporting a wide range of causes and initiatives. My goal has always been to contribute positively to society and foster environments where ideas and creativity can flourish. This led me to fund various organizations and individuals across the political spectrum.

A few years ago, I became increasingly concerned about the growing polarization and division in our society. The events around 2020 — the COVID-19 pandemic, political unrest, and heightened social tensions — created an environment where distrust prevailed. I noticed a tendency to cancel or silence opposing viewpoints, which effectively shut down paths to mutual understanding and potential reconciliation.

At the time, I felt a responsibility to support those who were being censored or deplatformed. I began providing grants to organizations that promoted free speech, including some that engaged in controversial or unpopular research and discussions. I had hoped to support respectful, scholarly dialogues — even on challenging topics — not on promoting or tolerating hate speech or extremist views. I unequivocally condemn any form of racism, hate, or dehumanization.

However, I now realize that my approach was naive and lacked necessary discernment. In my eagerness to champion free speech, I did not fully investigate the backgrounds and motivations of the individuals and organizations I supported.

This was a crucial and deeply troubling learning experience for me. It led me to reflect carefully on my decision-making processes. I recognize I can sometimes be less attuned than I should be to the broader implications of certain ideas and actions. I now understand that it's essential not only to defend the right to free expression but also to consider the potential impact that supporting certain voices can have on our community.

As a result, I conducted a comprehensive review of all my existing funding and investments. I have cut all ties - including any form of financial support or ownership stake - with organizations and individuals who do not align with my values favoring equality, diversity and social progress.

Moving forward, I am committed to applying greater oversight and due diligence in all my philanthropic efforts. To achieve this, I’ll have board members involved and a more formal vetting process to help me identify organizations to fund, rather than relying on ad hoc decisions. Additionally, each organization will be thoroughly reviewed by professionals prior to providing support.

My focus now is on initiatives that bring people together and foster understanding — namely, by supporting the arts and education. Art has the power to transcend differences, provoke thoughtful dialogue, and inspire empathy. Through art, we can create a more inclusive and compassionate society.

Seattle is a haven for those who think differently, with a vibrant and diverse community of incredibly talented artists. I am committed to supporting and contributing to the growth of Seattle as a global center for creative expression and education.

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter. I hope that by sharing my experiences and reflections, you can better understand my journey and the values that guide me. I look forward to working together to bring our shared vision to life.

Sincerely,

Andrew Conru

Andrew Conru

I am an engineer, entrepreneur, amateur artist, and philanthropist driven by a passion for helping others and making a positive impact on the world. My journey began on a small farm in northern Indiana, where I learned the value of hard work, self-reliance, and serving my community. These early experiences shaped my character and instilled in me a deep sense of responsibility to use my skills and resources for the greater good.

In the early 1990s, I relocated to the Bay Area to pursue a Mechanical Engineering Design Ph.D. at Stanford University. By a stroke of serendipity, I arrived just as the World Wide Web was emerging, putting me in the right place at the right time to pioneer groundbreaking technologies like online shopping carts, centralized ad banner management, online matchmaking, and real-time website customization. My goal was never to seek fame or fortune, but rather to create tools that would help people connect, find love, and improve their lives.

This service-oriented mindset led me to launch the first online dating site in 1994. Two years later, I founded Friend Finder Networks, a dating social network that has seen over 700 million registered members worldwide. While the company achieved significant success, I've always measured its true value in the relationships it has facilitated. In 2007, due to burnout and stress, I made the difficult decision to sell the company. However, my passion for the platform's potential never faded.

Throughout my career, I have launched around a dozen companies, each guided by the principle of creating value for others. While some have achieved notable success, I view these accomplishments primarily as byproducts of my passion for helping people. My ultimate goal is not to accumulate wealth or accolades, but to leave a lasting, positive impact on the world. I believe that personal wealth is held in the public trust, and I am actively reinvesting all my wealth into the public domain during my lifetime.

This same ethos extends to my philanthropic endeavors. Through the Conru Foundation, I focus on initiatives related to education, free speech, environmental conservation, and the arts. Additionally, the Conru Art Foundation is dedicated to elevating Seattle as a premier art city by promoting art education through various local charities and a new downtown art venue.

One of my current passions is promoting art education in Seattle through a number of local charities as well as a new downtown art venue. I believe that art has immense therapeutic value in today's stressful world, providing a means for self-expression, healing, and connection.

Personally, I enjoy oil painting, antique road trips, studying history, and watching YouTube videos at insanely high speeds. I still enjoy coding, even after writing over a million lines of it (60+ books worth) so far.

If you would like to collaborate on a project or share your own vision for making the world a better place, please don't hesitate to reach out to me via email at abconru AT yahoo.com or on Twitter @AndrewConru. Together, we can work towards building a brighter, more compassionate future for all.