Kanye West's high school student charity closes

The New York Times reported this week that the Kanye West Foundation has closed.

The charity’s director, Joseph Collins, sent an email last month to board members saying, “I am reaching out to let you know that the Kanye West Foundation has officially closed it doors after a successful 4+ years of programming and events. It has been an incredible experience working with Kanye and the board to realize his mother’s vision and I am honored to have been given the opportunity to lead the Foundation.”

The foundation — which raised money for programs “to help combat the severe dropout problem in schools” — was created by the Chicago rapper’s late mother, Donda West, a local educator who died in 2007.

Kanye had made a habit of returning to Chicago each summer to perform benefit concerts for the foundation. Last June he performed for the organization’s third annual concert at the Chicago Theatre on his 33rd birthday with fellow Chicago rappers Common and Lupe Fiasco. The charity was based in West Hollywood, Calif.