Several Powerball jackpot winners have used their newfound wealth to make significant contributions to their communities while managing the challenges that come with sudden fortune.
John and Susan Brands of St. Charles, Missouri, won a $96.5 million Powerball prize in March 2014. The couple initially experienced the shock and excitement of winning, but they quickly encountered unexpected difficulties. Following their win, unsolicited requests for money and assistance became frequent. “We had people showing up at our house,” Susan Brands recalled, including one man who arrived with his children, claiming to be nearly broke and in need of gas money. The couple found themselves inundated with pleas from friends, acquaintances, and strangers via social media, some motivated by personal hardships, others by a sense of entitlement. To cope, the Brands limited visitors and adopted caution in everyday interactions. They also became entangled in a legal dispute with an interior designer over payment, which ultimately resulted in a small damages award in their favor.
Despite the pressures, the Brands have focused on philanthropy. They established a foundation that supports local hospitals, food banks, animal rescues, and cultural institutions such as the Stray Dog Theatre in St. Louis. In personal spending, the couple has been measured, purchasing a lakefront investment property and occasionally flying via private jet to attend concerts. Their middle-class background has influenced their financial discipline, with Susan noting that she continues to use coupons for groceries.
In Knoxville, Tennessee, Roy Cockrum turned his $260 million Powerball win into a substantial investment in American theater. After witnessing a high-caliber production of “His Dark Materials” in London in 2004, Cockrum, a former actor and seminarian, envisioned elevating U.S. theater to comparable standards. When he won the lottery a decade later at age 58, he allocated roughly half of his after-tax winnings to create a foundation dedicated to funding ambitious theater projects. The foundation has distributed more than $34 million through 56 grants and operates by invitation to manage demand. Cockrum personally meets with artistic directors to identify projects that otherwise might not receive funding. The foundation has supported productions that went on to receive Tony Awards, including “Ink” and “Prayer for the French Republic,” underscoring Cockrum’s commitment to advancing the arts.
The Smith family of Trenton, New Jersey, offers another example of sustained philanthropic engagement. Unlike many lottery winners who seek privacy, the Smiths have maintained a prominent public presence through the Smith Family Foundation, established shortly after their win. Over the last decade, they have donated more than $17 million. Their support extends to local YMCA and athletic centers, educational institutions, churches, and social service organizations. The foundation emphasizes leadership training for nonprofits and programs aimed at helping students complete college and secure internships. Katherine Nunnally, one of seven siblings involved and the foundation’s executive director, highlighted their legacy as sixth-generation Trentonians. Their projects often reflect educational priorities, including providing backpacks, computers, and tutoring spaces for at-risk youth and first-generation college students. Nunnally described their efforts as a meaningful way to give back, emphasizing fulfillment over material acquisition.
Together, these Powerball winners illustrate diverse approaches to managing wealth and contributing to society, balancing personal enjoyment with public generosity amid the challenges caused by sudden wealth.