Zimin Foundation

Dr. Dmitry Borisovich Zimin (1933-2021) is the Founder and Honorary President of Vimpelcom (brand “Beeline”), the first Russian company listed in 1996 on NYSE through IPO, and which since then has become VEON group.

Dr. Dmitry Zimin retired and sold his controlling stake in Vimpelcom in 2001.  Since then, Dr. Zimin devoted the majority of his time to philanthropic activities founding the Dmitry Zimin Dynasty Foundation in 2002. 

In 2007, Dr. Zimin transferred nearly 90% of his wealth to an endowment. Although the Zimin Family retains a decisive vote on giving from the endowment, neither Dr. Zimin nor his heirs may benefit from it.

The Carnegie Trust recognized these efforts in 2013 with Dr. Zimin becoming the first Russian philanthropist to be awarded the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy.

In 2015, Dr. Zimin was honored by the award “For Commitment to Science” by the Ministry of Science and Education of thе Russian Federation. In 2017, the Tel Aviv University conferred an Honorary Doctorate degree on Dr. Zimin to recognize his exceptional achievements as a scientist, inventor, businessperson, and philanthropist.

Dr. Zimin’s commitment to philanthropy is shared by his son Boris Zimin who is actively involved is the family's philanthropic activities.