No one was prouder to be a Chicagoan than our founder, Richard H. Driehaus. From modest beginnings to being named by Barron’s as one of the 25 most influential individuals within the mutual fund industry over the past 100 years, he never forgot his roots.

From the outset, Mr. Driehaus was motivated to make a difference. His first taste of the financial markets began at 13. This is when he purchased his first shares of stock using money saved from his paper route. His passion for investing continued and he grew to become the legend and pioneer we all know today.

A devoted philanthropist as well, he saw philanthropy as a form of inquiry. A way of learning about the world. Like investing, it requires strategic thinking, judgment for innovation and tolerance of risk. Over the years, he came to understand that maximizing the impact of donated dollars can be more challenging – and more fulfilling – than earning those dollars. One of many lessons he would impart onto those fortunate enough to cross his path.

We are devoted to carrying on Mr. Driehaus’ legacy and will do our best to continue to grow the countless gifts he has given us.

Mr. Driehaus founded Driehaus Capital Management LLC in 1982. He was the architect of the firm’s growth equity investment philosophy and was the firm’s Chairman.

Mr. Driehaus' success began in 1968, when he started his employment at A.G. Becker, where he worked in the Institutional Trading Department. Two years later he became the youngest portfolio manager and was ranked among the top 1% of the portfolio managers measured by the A.G. Becker Fund Evaluation Service. From 1973 to 1979, he worked at various brokerage firms including Mullaney, Wells & Co., where he was the Director of Research, and Jesup & Lamont, where he was Director of Research and a money manager.

In 2000, he was named to Barron’s “All-Century” team of 25 individuals identified as the most influential within the mutual fund industry over the past 100 years. He was also highlighted alongside legendary investors Warren Buffett, Sir John Templeton and Ben Graham in the book: “The World’s 99 Greatest Investors” by Magnus Angenfelt.

Having grown up in the Catholic faith, with Christian values, he appreciated the significance of a Catholic education. Over the years Mr. Driehaus made grants to his alma maters in recognition of their contributions to his success: St. Ignatius College Prep, St. Margaret of Scotland and the School Sisters of Notre Dame.

Mr. Driehaus’ first exposure to DePaul University was as an undergraduate business student. He earned his B.S.C. degree in 1965 and an M.B.A. in 1970. In 2002 the university bestowed him with an honorary doctorate.

Like the Vincentians, Mr. Driehaus valued philanthropy and educational access for everyone. In 2002, he donated to the university to endow a chair and establish an innovative center in behavioral finance. In 2012, he announced a gift to enhance the academic programs of DePaul’s 100-year-old College of Commerce. He funded scholarships for international MBA students and a virtual stock portfolio contest for DePaul finance students. Mr. Driehaus was a Life Trustee of the school.

Mr. Driehaus also conveyed his gratitude to other educational institutions and religious orders focused on education, such as Holy Trinity High School, Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, St. Bede’s Grammar School, as well as Loyola’s St. Joseph Seminary, Christ the King College Preparatory School and the University of the Virgin Islands.

In 2004 he made a most unusual gift to St. Xavier University on Chicago’s southwest side – donating Gilhooley’s Grande Saloon to the school, along with the entire shopping center in which it is located. He requested that a hospitality curriculum be established for students to learn restaurant management, service industry skills and bottom line financial responsibility.