Kenneth C. Griffin

Griffin was born in 1968 in Daytona Beach, Florida, the son of a building supplies executive. His father had various jobs, and was a project manager for General Electric. Griffin's grandmother, Genevieve Huebsch Gratz, inherited an oil business, three farms, and a seed business.{{Cite news |last=Harris |first=Melissa |title=Lessons, legacy of Ken Griffin's grandmother stick with billionaire |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-xpm-2010-07-11-ct-biz-0711-confidential-booms-20100710-story.html |work=Chicago Tribune |archive-date=September 29, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180929092218/http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-xpm-2010-07-11-ct-biz-0711-confidential-booms-20100710-story.html |url-status=live}}

Griffin grew up in Boca Raton, Florida, with some time{{Weasel inline|date=August 2024}} in Texas, and Wisconsin.{{cite news |title=The File on Citadel's Ken Griffin |url=https://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/June-2011/The-File-on-Citadels-Ken-Griffin/ |last=Meyer|first=Graham |work=Chicago |date=June 8, 2011 |issn=0362-4595 |archive-date=December 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191214003226/https://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/June-2011/The-File-on-Citadels-Ken-Griffin/ |url-status=live}} He went to middle school in Boca Raton and Boca Raton Community High School, where he was the president of the math club. In high school, Griffin ran a discount mail-order education software firm, EDCOM, out of his bedroom.{{Cite news |first=Neil |last=Santaniello |title=FOR TEAM OF BOCA STUDENTS, COMPUTER'S SCREEN IS ARENA |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1986-03-10-8601150102-story.html |url-status=live |work=Sun-Sentinel |archive-date=October 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027142955/https://www.sun-sentinel.com/}} In a 1986 article in the Sun-Sentinel, he said he thought he would become a businessman or lawyer and that he believed the job market for computer programmers would significantly decrease over the coming decade.

Griffin started at Harvard College in the fall of 1986. That year, one of his first investments was to buy put options on Home Shopping Network, making a $5,000 profit.{{Cite news |url=https://www.institutionalinvestor.com/article/b15134ls4fblx7/boy-wonder |title=Boy Wonder |work=Institutional Investor |date=August 31, 2001 |access-date=April 4, 2021 |archive-date=February 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200221235604/https://www.institutionalinvestor.com/article/b15134ls4fblx7/boy-wonder |url-status=live }} He also invested in convertible arbitrage opportunities in convertible bonds. Despite a ban on running businesses from campus, Griffin convinced school administrators to allow him to install a satellite dish on the roof of Cabot House, a dormitory, to receive stock quotes. He also asked Terrence J. O'Connor, the manager of convertible bonds at Merrill Lynch in Boston, to open a brokerage account for him with $100,000 that Griffin had gotten from his grandmother, his dentist, and others.{{cite news |last=Anderson |first=Jenny |title=Will a Hedge Fund Become the Next Goldman Sachs? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/04/business/04citadel.html |work=The New York Times |date=April 4, 2007 |url-access=limited |issn=1553-8095 |archive-date=November 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171116035328/https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2007/04/04/will-a-hedge-fund-become-the-next-goldman-sachs/ |url-status=live}} His first fund launched in 1987 with $265,000, days after his 19th birthday. The fund launched in time to profit from short positions on Black Monday. Griffin graduated in 1989 and received a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in economics.{{Cite news |url=https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2014/2/19/largest-gift-college-history/ |title=Griffin '89 Gives $150 Million to Harvard, Largest Gift in College's History |first1=Matthew Q. |last1=Clarida |first2=Amna H. |last2=Hashmi |work=The Harvard Crimson |date=February 19, 2014 |access-date=April 3, 2021 |archive-date=March 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210322060419/https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2014/2/19/largest-gift-college-history/ |url-status=live }}

After graduating in 1989, Griffin moved to Chicago to work with Frank Meyer, founder of Glenwood Capital Investments.{{Cite news |last=Kolhatkar |first=Sheelah |date=April 16, 2007 |title=Opening Up the Citadel |work=American City Business Journals |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/bizjournals/news/2007/04/16/opening-up-the-citadel.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026014458/https://www.bizjournals.com/bizjournals/news/2007/04/16/opening-up-the-citadel.html |archive-date=October 26, 2020}}{{cite news |last=Vickers |first=Marcia|url=https://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2007/04/16/8404298/index.htm |title=A hedge fund superstar - Citadel founder Ken Griffin is already one of the world's most powerful investors.|work=Fortune |date=April 3, 2007 |archive-date=December 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191214065056/https://archive.fortune.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2007/04/16/8404298/index.htm |url-status=live}} Meyer allotted $1 million of Glenwood capital for Griffin to trade and Griffin made 70% in a year.

In 1990, Griffin founded Citadel LLC, with assets under management of $4.6 million, aided by contributions from Meyer. His funds made 43% in 1991 and 40% in 1992.

In the early 2000s, Griffin founded market maker Citadel Securities.{{Cite web|title=Ken Griffin|url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/ken-griffin/|website=Forbes|language=en|access-date=October 20, 2017|archive-date=November 5, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171105002007/https://www.forbes.com/profile/ken-griffin/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Wolverson|first=Roya|title=How Ken Griffin's Citadel transformed financial markets|url=https://qz.com/1969532/how-ken-griffins-citadel-transformed-financial-markets/|website=Quartz|date=February 18, 2021|language=en|access-date=December 3, 2021|archive-date=November 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211123154454/https://qz.com/1969532/how-ken-griffins-citadel-transformed-financial-markets/|url-status=live}}

In 2003, aged 34, Griffin was the youngest person on the Forbes 400, with an estimated net worth of $650 million.{{cite news |title=America's rich get richer |url=https://money.cnn.com/2003/09/19/news/forbes_400/index.htm |publisher=CNN |date=September 19, 2003 |archive-date=December 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191226205446/https://money.cnn.com/2003/09/19/news/forbes_400/index.htm |url-status=live}}

From the time of his second marriage to Anne Dias in 2003 until late 2009, Griffin was the lead investor in Aragon Global Management, a hedge fund run by his then wife. The fund was also seeded with money from Julian Robertson. Griffin lost 20% of his investment in the fund.

In 2006, Citadel acquired the positions of Amaranth Advisors at a steep discount.

During the 2008 financial crisis, for 10 months, Griffin barred his investors from withdrawing money, attracting criticism.{{Cite news |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2008-12-13-0812120300-story.html |title=Citadel suspends fund redemptions |first=Joshua |last=Boak |work=Chicago Tribune |date=December 13, 2008 |url-access=limited |access-date=April 3, 2021 |archive-date=April 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210409180230/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2008-12-13-0812120300-story.html |url-status=live }} At the crisis's peak, the firm was losing "hundreds of millions of dollars each week".{{cite news |url=https://www.ft.com/content/ae51320a-1a24-11e3-93e8-00144feab7de |title=Citadel chief rails against megabanks |work=Financial Times |date=September 10, 2013 |url-access=subscription |access-date=April 4, 2021 |archive-date=April 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210409180244/https://www.ft.com/content/ae51320a-1a24-11e3-93e8-00144feab7de |url-status=live }} It was leveraged 7:1 and the biggest funds at Citadel finished 2008 down 55%, but rebounded with a 62% return in 2009.

From Citadel LLC, Griffin earned $900 million in 2009,{{Cite news |last=Veneziani |first=Vince |title=Meet The Top 10 Earning Hedge Fund Managers Of 2009 |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/meet-the-top-10-earning-hedge-fund-managers-of-2009-2010-4 |work=Business Insider |date=April 1, 2010 |access-date=February 21, 2021 |archive-date=May 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518182453/https://www.businessinsider.com/meet-the-top-10-earning-hedge-fund-managers-of-2009-2010-4 |url-status=live }} $1.4 billion in 2014,{{cite news |url=https://fortune.com/2015/05/05/the-highest-paid-hedge-fund-manager-only-made-1-3-billion-last-year/ |title=The highest paid hedge fund manager only made $1.3 billion last year |first=Steven |last=Gandel |work=Fortune |date=May 5, 2015 |access-date=April 3, 2021 |archive-date=March 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304162630/https://fortune.com/2015/05/05/the-highest-paid-hedge-fund-manager-only-made-1-3-billion-last-year/ |url-status=live }} $600 million in 2016,{{Cite web |title=Kenneth Griffin |date=May 29, 2018 |url=https://www.institutionalinvestor.com/article/b18dwzjvgck9vm/kenneth-griffin |publisher=Institutional Investor |access-date=November 1, 2020 |archive-date=September 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929111329/https://www.institutionalinvestor.com/article/b18dwzjvgck9vm/kenneth-griffin |url-status=live }} $1.4 billion in 2017,{{Cite news |title=These hedge fund managers made more than $3 million a day last year |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/30/these-hedge-fund-managers-made-more-than-3-million-a-day-last-year.html |last=Frank |first=Robert |date=May 30, 2018 |publisher=CNBC |archive-date=October 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012010419/https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/30/these-hedge-fund-managers-made-more-than-3-million-a-day-last-year.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite news |title=Ken Griffin rated nation's best-paid hedge fund manager, again |url=https://www.capitalgazette.com/ct-ken-griffin-fund-earnings-0511-biz-20160510-story.html |last=Janssen |first=Kim |work=The Capital |archive-date=October 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027143003/https://www.capitalgazette.com/|url-status=live}} $870 million in 2018,{{Cite news |last=Maloney |first=Tom |date=February 15, 2019 |title=The Best-Paid Hedge Fund Managers Made $7.7 Billion in 2018 |work=Bloomberg News |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-02-15/the-10-best-paid-hedge-fund-managers-made-7-7-billion-in-2018 |url-status=live |archive-date=October 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012132106/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-02-15/the-10-best-paid-hedge-fund-managers-made-7-7-billion-in-2018}} $1.5 billion in 2019,{{Cite news |last=Franck |first=Thomas |title=Hedge fund titans Simons, Griffin, Cohen and Tepper earned $1 billion in 2019 before virus outbreak |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/25/ken-griffin-and-david-tepper-top-institutional-investors-rich-list.html |publisher=CNBC |date=March 26, 2020 |archive-date=May 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200527152223/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/25/ken-griffin-and-david-tepper-top-institutional-investors-rich-list.html |url-status=live}} and $1.8 billion in 2020.{{cite news |title=The 20th Annual Rich List, the Definitive Ranking of What Hedge Fund Managers Earned in 2020 |url=https://www.institutionalinvestor.com/article/b1qmsgpxhz0lpt/The-20th-Annual-Rich-List-the-Definitive-Ranking-of-What-Hedge-Fund-Managers-Earned-in-2020 |work=Institutional Investor |last=Taub |first=Stephen |date=February 22, 2021 |access-date=March 3, 2021 |archive-date=March 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303200538/https://www.institutionalinvestor.com/article/b1qmsgpxhz0lpt/The-20th-Annual-Rich-List-the-Definitive-Ranking-of-What-Hedge-Fund-Managers-Earned-in-2020 |url-status=live }}

In November 2020, according to Bloomberg News, Griffin's net worth surpassed $20 billion due to an increase in the value of Citadel, of which Griffin's stake was worth $11.2 billion.{{Cite news |title=Ken Griffin's Macro 'Dream' Propels Net Worth to $20 Billion |first=Tom |last=Maloney |agency=Bloomberg News |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-11-02/ken-griffin-s-macro-dream-propels-his-net-worth-to-20-billion |date=November 2, 2020 |url-access=subscription |access-date=November 3, 2020 |archive-date=November 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103142457/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-11-02/ken-griffin-s-macro-dream-propels-his-net-worth-to-20-billion |url-status=live }} Citadel Securities, a market maker, increased its profit to $2.36 billion during the first half of 2020 compared to $982 million for the same period in 2019, due to increased volatility, volume and retail trader engagement.{{Cite news |title=Citadel Securities doubled profit as dominance grew in 2020 |url=https://www.chicagobusiness.com/finance-banking/citadel-securities-doubled-profit-dominance-grew-2020 |publisher=Crain Communications |date=September 25, 2020 |url-access=subscription |access-date=November 3, 2020 |archive-date=October 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031193657/https://www.chicagobusiness.com/finance-banking/citadel-securities-doubled-profit-dominance-grew-2020 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |title=Citadel Securities Doubled Profit as Dominance Grew in 2020 |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-09-25/citadel-doubled-profit-increased-dominance-in-wild-2020-trading |first1=Tom |last1=Maloney |first2=Sally |last2=Bakewell |agency=Bloomberg News |date=September 25, 2020 |url-access=subscription |access-date=November 3, 2020 |archive-date=October 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201007165447/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-09-25/citadel-doubled-profit-increased-dominance-in-wild-2020-trading |url-status=live }}

In January 2021, Griffin attracted criticism for the role Citadel played in the GameStop short squeeze.{{Cite news |last=Ori |first=Ryan |title=Chicago billionaire Ken Griffin faces controversy involving Wall Street chat rooms, Robinhood trading app and GameStop's stock |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-gamestop-robinhood-citadel-ken-griffin-20210129-pz3ln7d6wra5rbpno7nb5rgvgm-story.html |work=Chicago Tribune |date=January 29, 2021 |access-date=January 30, 2021 |archive-date=January 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210130032348/https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-gamestop-robinhood-citadel-ken-griffin-20210129-pz3ln7d6wra5rbpno7nb5rgvgm-story.html |url-status=live }} On January 25, it was announced that Citadel would invest $2 billion into Melvin Capital, which had suffered losses of more than 30% on account of its short positions, particularly on GameStop.{{Cite news|title=Steve Cohen provides funds for hedge fund protégé Gabe Plotkin|url=https://www.ft.com/content/1791269f-fe8c-47e3-b933-62125ee83242|work=Financial Times|url-access=subscription|access-date=January 30, 2021|archive-date=January 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210129181743/https://www.ft.com/content/1791269f-fe8c-47e3-b933-62125ee83242|url-status=live}}{{Cite news |last=Chung |first=Juliet |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/citadel-point72-to-invest-2-75-billion-into-melvin-capital-management-11611604340 |title=Citadel, Point72 to Invest $2.75 Billion Into Melvin Capital Management |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=January 25, 2021 |issn=0099-9660 |url-access=subscription |access-date=January 30, 2021 |archive-date=January 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128233028/https://www.wsj.com/articles/citadel-point72-to-invest-2-75-billion-into-melvin-capital-management-11611604340 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news|title=GameStop short-seller down 30% this year gets $2.8 billion bailout from the firms of billionaire investors Steve Cohen and Ken Griffin|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/steve-cohen-ken-griffin-invest-3-billion-gamestop-short-seller-2021-1|first=Theron|last=Mohamed|work=Business Insider|date=January 26, 2021|access-date=January 30, 2021|archive-date=April 12, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230412122428/https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/steve-cohen-ken-griffin-invest-3-billion-gamestop-short-seller-2021-1-1030003305|url-status=live}} On January 28, Robinhood, an electronic trading platform favored by many traders involved in buying GameStop stock and options, announced that it would halt all purchases of GameStop securities and only allow these securities to be sold; the price of GME stock declined steeply shortly thereafter.{{Cite news |last=Fitzgerald |first=Maggie |title=Robinhood restricts trading in GameStop, other names involved in frenzy |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/28/robinhood-interactive-brokers-restrict-trading-in-gamestop-s.html |publisher=CNBC |date=January 28, 2021 |access-date=January 30, 2021 |archive-date=March 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309030948/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/28/robinhood-interactive-brokers-restrict-trading-in-gamestop-s.html |url-status=live }} Because Robinhood receives a substantial portion of its revenue through a payment for order flow relationship with Citadel, 85% of which is owned by Griffin, many commentators criticized the potential for conflict of interest when the same entity both plays the role of market-maker and also participates in the market it makes; Griffin has been at the center of much discussion of this controversy.{{Cite news |url=https://www.chicagobusiness.com/finance-banking/ken-griffin-welcome-white-hot-national-spotlight |title=Ken Griffin, welcome to the white-hot national spotlight |agency=Crain Communications |date=January 29, 2021 |access-date=January 30, 2021 |archive-date=January 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210129200624/https://www.chicagobusiness.com/finance-banking/ken-griffin-welcome-white-hot-national-spotlight |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |title=Why are Robinhood traders bringing a class action lawsuit? |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/robinhood-gamestop-class-action-trading-suspended-b1794934.html |work=The Independent |date=January 29, 2021 |access-date=January 30, 2021 |archive-date=January 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210129192732/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/robinhood-gamestop-class-action-trading-suspended-b1794934.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/02/18/warren-presses-citadel-ceo-griffin-about-relationship-with-robinhood-payment-for-order-flow.html |last=Fitzgerald |first=Maggie |title=Warren presses Citadel CEO Griffin about relationship with Robinhood, payment for order flow |publisher=CNBC |date=February 18, 2021 |access-date=March 14, 2021 |archive-date=February 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210222225936/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/02/18/warren-presses-citadel-ceo-griffin-about-relationship-with-robinhood-payment-for-order-flow.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |title=The Citadel Link: What Ken Griffin Has to Do With GameStop |url=https://www.bloombergquint.com/markets/the-citadel-link-what-ken-griffin-has-to-do-with-gamestop |first1=Katherine |last1=Burton |first2=Sridhar |last2=Natarajan |work=Bloomberg News |date=February 1, 2021 |access-date=March 21, 2021 |archive-date=May 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519101459/https://www.bloombergquint.com/markets/the-citadel-link-what-ken-griffin-has-to-do-with-gamestop |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |title=Hedge fund king, a GOP megadonor, faces off with Democrats |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2021/02/18/ken-griffin-gamestop-hearing-469718 |first=Zachary |last=Warmbrodt |work=Politico |date=February 18, 2021 |access-date=February 19, 2021 |archive-date=February 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210220051522/https://www.politico.com/news/2021/02/18/ken-griffin-gamestop-hearing-469718 |url-status=live }} On February 18, 2021, he testified before the House Financial Services Committee about his role in the GameStop controversy;{{Cite news |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-gamestop-hearing-ken-griffin-citadel-cb-20210218-zaq5ijhbarhwlhomzwprpqrqlm-story.html |last=Mitchell |first=Ian |title=5 things to know about GameStop and what Ken Griffin has to tell Congress |work=Chicago Tribune |date=February 18, 2021 |access-date=February 19, 2021 |archive-date=February 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210219105439/https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-gamestop-hearing-ken-griffin-citadel-cb-20210218-zaq5ijhbarhwlhomzwprpqrqlm-story.html |url-status=live }} Griffin had donated money directly to four members of the committee, Republicans French Hill, Andy Barr, Ann Wagner, and Bill Huizenga.

Griffin is a large private donor to charities and nonprofit organizations, having donated over $2 billion to charities so far.{{Cite web |last=Farah |first=Lynn |date=February 15, 2024 |title=How billionaire investor Ken Griffin makes and spends his money: he stopped donating to Harvard, but he's splurged on beachfront mega-mansions, Covid-19 relief efforts … and the Republican Party |url=https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/entertainment/article/3252045/how-billionaire-investor-ken-griffin-makes-and-spends-his-money-he-stopped-donating-harvard-hes |work=South China Morning Post |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524045443/https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/entertainment/article/3252045/how-billionaire-investor-ken-griffin-makes-and-spends-his-money-he-stopped-donating-harvard-hes |archive-date=May 24, 2024 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Herbst-Bayliss |first=Svea |date=September 13, 2023 |title=Griffin of Citadel hedge fund lays out roadmap to future philanthropic giving |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/griffin-citadel-hedge-fund-lays-out-roadmap-future-philanthropic-giving-2023-09-13/ |publisher=Reuters |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922025817/https://www.reuters.com/business/griffin-citadel-hedge-fund-lays-out-roadmap-future-philanthropic-giving-2023-09-13/ |archive-date=September 22, 2023 |url-status=live}} In September 2023, he established Griffin Catalyst, a platform for his philanthropic and civic work. The organization serves as an umbrella for his various efforts.{{cite news |last1=Gordon |first1=Amanda L. |title=Billionaire Ken Griffin Lays Out Vision for Philanthropy With Catalyst Brand |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-09-13/griffin-lays-out-vision-for-philanthropy-with-catalyst-brand |publisher=Bloomberg |date=13 September 2023}}

From 2000 to 2022, Griffin served on the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago's board of trustees.{{Cite web |date=2022-06-23 |title=Ken Griffin's move means he'll step back from Chicago nonprofit boards |url=https://www.chicagobusiness.com/nonprofits-philanthropy/ken-griffin-leaving-chicago-nonprofit-boards |access-date=2023-03-20 |website=Crain's Chicago Business |language=en-US |archive-date=March 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230320224539/https://www.chicagobusiness.com/nonprofits-philanthropy/ken-griffin-leaving-chicago-nonprofit-boards |url-status=live }}

In July 2007, Griffin donated a $19 million addition to the Art Institute of Chicago designed by Renzo Piano and named Kenneth and Anne Griffin Court.{{cite news |title=Citadel's Griffin at the Art World's Gates |url=https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2007/07/26/citadels-griffin-at-the-art-worlds-gates |work=The New York Times |date=26 July 2007 |url-access=limited |archive-date=November 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107165628/https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2007/07/26/citadels-griffin-at-the-art-worlds-gates/ |url-status=live}} One of his paintings by Paul Cézanne was loaned to the institute.{{cite news |title=Hedge Fun |url=https://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/October-2005/Hedge-Fun/ |last=Reed |first=Robert |work=Chicago |date=3 October 2005 |archive-date=December 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220185359/https://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/October-2005/Hedge-Fun/|url-status=live}}

In 2010, Griffin contributed to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's productions at Millennium Park.

Griffin contributed to the Art Institute of Chicago and resigned from its board in 2022.{{Cite web|last=Cherney|first=Elyssa|title=Ken Griffin's move means he'll step back from Chicago nonprofit boards|url=https://www.chicagobusiness.com/nonprofits-philanthropy/ken-griffin-leaving-chicago-nonprofit-boards|date=23 June 2022|website=chicagobusiness.com|access-date=March 20, 2023|archive-date=March 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230320224539/https://www.chicagobusiness.com/nonprofits-philanthropy/ken-griffin-leaving-chicago-nonprofit-boards|url-status=live}} He serves on the board of trustees at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York, whose lobby bears his name: Kenneth C. Griffin Hall. In February 2015, Griffin donated $10 million to the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago to create the Griffin Galleries of Contemporary Art.{{cite news |title=MCA gets $10 million from Ken Griffin |url=https://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20150220/NEWS07/150229999/mca-gets-10-million-from-ken-griffin |work=Crain Communications |date=February 20, 2015 |url-access=limited|issn=1557-7902|archive-date=May 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502190313/https://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20150220/NEWS07/150229999/mca-gets-10-million-from-ken-griffin|url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Citadel's Griffin Gives $10 Million to Chicago Art Museum |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-02-20/citadel-s-griffin-gives-10-million-to-chicago-art-museum |last=Kazakina |first=Katya |work=Bloomberg News |date=20 February 2015 |url-access=limited |archive-date=June 2, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602011626/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-02-20/citadel-s-griffin-gives-10-million-to-chicago-art-museum|url-status=live}}

In December 2015, he donated an unrestricted $40 million to the Museum of Modern Art in New York.{{cite news |title=Ken Griffin donates $40 million to New York's Museum of Modern Art |url=https://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20151222/NEWS01/151229940/ken-griffin-donates-40-million-to-new-york-s-museum-of-modern-art |agency=Crain Communications |date=December 22, 2015 |url-access=limited |issn=1557-7902 |archive-date=December 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220182410/https://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20151222/NEWS01/151229940/ken-griffin-donates-40-million-to-new-york-s-museum-of-modern-art |url-status=live}}

In 2018, he donated $20 million to the Norton Museum of Art.{{cite news |url=https://www.palmbeachdailynews.com/news/local/billionaire-ken-griffin-giving-million-norton-museum/LkC86apGY1aotoRadRBHpI/ |title=Billionaire Ken Griffin giving $20 million to Norton Museum in West Palm Beach |first=Jan |last=Sjostrom |work=Palm Beach Daily News |date=August 9, 2018 |access-date=April 17, 2021 |archive-date=April 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417064909/https://www.palmbeachdailynews.com/news/local/billionaire-ken-griffin-giving-million-norton-museum/LkC86apGY1aotoRadRBHpI/ |url-status=live }}

In December 2021, Griffin gave $5 million to support the construction of Miami's 10-mile linear park and urban trail The Underline.{{Cite web|url=https://www.chicagobusiness.com/nonprofits-philanthropy/ken-griffin-gives-5-million-miami-park-project|title=Ken Griffin gives $5 million to Miami park project |website=Crain's Chicago Business|date=December 8, 2021}} In 2022, he created the Ukraine Math and Science Achievement Fund with $3 million, which supports young Ukrainian refugees studying at Cambridge University.{{cite news |last1=Gordon |first1=L. Amanda |title=Ken Griffin Backs Ukraine's Math Olympiad Elite Through New Fund |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-10-13/ken-griffin-backs-ukraine-s-math-olympiad-elite-through-new-fund?embedded-checkout=true |publisher=Bloomberg |date=13 October 2022}} In May 2022, he gave $5 million to help launch the Miami Disaster Resilience Fund, which prepares the city for disasters like hurricanes.{{cite news |last1=Gordon |first1=Amanda L. |title=Ken Griffin Gives $5 Million to Help Miami Prepare for Disasters |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-05-31/ken-griffin-gives-5-million-to-help-miami-prepare-for-disasters |publisher=Bloomberg |date=31 May 2022}} In April 2024, the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach announced a $7 million gift from Griffin. The money is to be used to support the support the restoration of Phipps Ocean Park, expand community education, and increase accessibility.{{cite news |date=18 April 2024 |title=Kenneth C. Griffin Supports Phipps Ocean Park Restoration |url=https://www.palmbeachillustrated.com/kenneth-c-griffin-supports-phipps-ocean-park-restoration/ |publisher=Palm Beach Illustrated}}

In March 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Griffin contributed $2.5 million to support food services for children in Chicago Public Schools.{{cite speech |first=Lori |last=Lightfoot|authorlink=Lori Lightfoot |title=Mayoral address concerning COVID-19 epidemic |location=Chicago |date=March 19, 2020 |url=https://wgntv.com/news/coronavirus/mayor-lightfoot-to-address-city-on-covid-19-outbreak-thursday-evening |archive-date=March 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200319231736/https://wgntv.com/news/coronavirus/mayor-lightfoot-to-address-city-on-covid-19-outbreak-thursday-evening/ |url-status=live}} In May 2020, Griffin and his partners at Citadel made a £3 million donation to help develop a COVID-19 vaccine and to support NHS Nightingale Hospitals.{{Cite news |last=Gill |first=Oliver |date=2020-05-01 |title=Billionaire hedge fund backs British university hunt for Covid-19 vaccine |language=en-GB |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2020/05/01/billionaire-hedge-fund-backs-british-university-hunt-covid-19/ |issn=0307-1235 |access-date=December 3, 2021 |archive-date=November 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211122234141/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2020/05/01/billionaire-hedge-fund-backs-british-university-hunt-covid-19/ |url-status=live }} Griffin oversaw a $2 million donation from Citadel to Weill Cornell Medicine to help fund the development of new ways to protect people from COVID-19 and identify new cases of the illness.{{Cite web|title=$2 Million Gift from the Partners of Citadel and Citadel Securities to Fund New COVID-19 Advances at Weill Cornell Medicine |url=https://give.weill.cornell.edu/milestones/2-million-gift-partners-citadel-and-citadel-securities-fund-new-covid-19-advances-weill|website=Weill Cornell Medicine|access-date=December 3, 2021|archive-date=November 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211123010430/https://give.weill.cornell.edu/milestones/2-million-gift-partners-citadel-and-citadel-securities-fund-new-covid-19-advances-weill|url-status=live}}{{better source needed|date=January 2025}}

Griffin has worked with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to promote charter schools in the U.S. and fund tutoring.{{cite press release |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/evidence-based-tutoring-program-scales-to-address-learning-loss-and-persistent-opportunity-gaps-in-major-urban-districts-301109104.html |title=Evidence-Based Tutoring Program Scales to Address Learning Loss and Persistent Opportunity Gaps in Major Urban Districts |publisher=PR Newswire |date=August 10, 2020 |access-date=April 8, 2021 |archive-date=May 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505105611/https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/evidence-based-tutoring-program-scales-to-address-learning-loss-and-persistent-opportunity-gaps-in-major-urban-districts-301109104.html |url-status=live }}

In 2011, he worked with University of Chicago economics professor John A. List to test whether investment in teachers or in parents produces better student performance outcomes.{{cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2011-02-23/chicago-economist-s-crazy-idea-for-education-wins-ken-griffin-s-backing|title=Chicago Economist's 'Crazy Idea' Wins Ken Griffin's Backing |date=February 23, 2011 |last=Staley |first=Oliver |agency=Bloomberg News |url-access=limited |archive-date=December 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220173213/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2011-02-23/chicago-economist-s-crazy-idea-for-education-wins-ken-griffin-s-backing |url-status=live}}

At the beginning of 2014, Griffin made a $150 million donation to the financial aid program at Harvard University, his alma mater, the largest single donation ever made to the institution at the time.{{Cite news |last=Herbst-Bayliss |first=Svea |title=Hedge fund manager Griffin gives $150 million to Harvard |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/harvard-griffin-idUSL2N0LP01520140220 |date=February 20, 2014 |archive-date=May 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190530183702/https://www.reuters.com/article/harvard-griffin-idUSL2N0LP01520140220|url-status=live}} In 2014, he was elected to a five-year term on the University of Chicago's board of trustees. He is also a member of the Economic Club of Chicago and the civic committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago.{{cite news |last=Marek |first=Lynne |title=Is Ken Griffin serious about a Citadel HQ move? |url=https://www.chicagobusiness.com/finance-banking/ken-griffin-serious-about-citadel-hq-move |date=March 14, 2019 |work=Crain Communications |url-access=subscription |issn=1557-7902 |archive-date=March 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200304140113/https://www.chicagobusiness.com/finance-banking/ken-griffin-serious-about-citadel-hq-move |url-status=live}} Griffin is the vice chairman of the Chicago Public Education Fund.{{cite news |title=Citadel's Griffin Gives Harvard $150 Million for Student Aid |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2014-02-20/harvard-gets-150-million-from-citadel-s-griffin-for-student-aid|last=Lauerman |first=John |work=Bloomberg News |date=February 20, 2014|url-access=limited |archive-date=December 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220164710/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2014-02-20/harvard-gets-150-million-from-citadel-s-griffin-for-student-aid |url-status=live}}

In October 2017, Griffin's charitable fund donated $1 million to the Obama Foundation.{{Cite news |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/2017/10/13/18378256/republican-mega-donor-ken-griffin-gives-1-million-to-obama-foundation |title=Republican mega donor Ken Griffin gives $1 million to Obama Foundation |first=Lynn |last=Sweet |work=Chicago Sun-Times |date=October 13, 2017 |url-access=subscription |access-date=April 6, 2021 |archive-date=May 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519101459/https://chicago.suntimes.com/2017/10/13/18378256/republican-mega-donor-ken-griffin-gives-1-million-to-obama-foundation |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-01-17/goldman-sachs-and-ken-griffin-funds-give-big-to-obama-foundation |title=Goldman Sachs and Ken Griffin Funds Give Big to Obama Foundation |first=Max |last=Abelson |agency=Bloomberg News |date=January 17, 2018 |access-date=April 6, 2021 |archive-date=May 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519101459/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-01-17/goldman-sachs-and-ken-griffin-funds-give-big-to-obama-foundation |url-status=live }} In November 2017, Griffin's charitable fund made a $125 million gift to support the Department of Economics of the University of Chicago, renamed the Kenneth C. Griffin Department of Economics.{{cite news |title=Citadel's Kenneth Griffin to Donate $125 Million for University of Chicago Economics |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/citadels-kenneth-griffin-to-donate-125-million-for-university-of-chicago-economics-1509512461 |last=Leubsdorf |first=Ben |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=November 1, 2017 |url-access=subscription |issn=0099-9660 |archive-date=December 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220174702/https://www.wsj.com/articles/citadels-kenneth-griffin-to-donate-125-million-for-university-of-chicago-economics-1509512461| url-status=live}}

Griffin donated $21.5 million to the Field Museum of Natural History and its dinosaur exhibit is named the Griffin Dinosaur Experience.{{cite news |title=The Field's CEO inherited a bit of a mess 7 years ago. Here's what he's done to clean it up. |url=https://www.chicagobusiness.com/nonprofits-philanthropy/fields-ceo-inherited-bit-mess-7-years-ago-heres-what-hes-done-clean-it |last=Bertagnoli |first=Lisa |agency=Crain Communications |date=June 14, 2019 |url-access=limited|issn=1557-7902 |archive-date=December 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220171058/https://www.chicagobusiness.com/nonprofits-philanthropy/fields-ceo-inherited-bit-mess-7-years-ago-heres-what-hes-done-clean-it|url-status=live}}

In October 2019, Griffin's charitable fund announced a $125 million gift to the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, the largest gift in the museum's history. The museum was renamed the Kenneth C. Griffin Museum of Science and Industry.{{cite press release |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20191003005607/en/Museum-of-Science-and-Industry-Announces-Historic-Gift-From-Kenneth-C.-Griffin-Charitable-Fund |title=Museum of Science and Industry Announces Historic Gift From Kenneth C. Griffin Charitable Fund |publisher=Business Wire |date=October 3, 2019 |access-date=April 6, 2021 |archive-date=May 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515171841/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20191003005607/en/Museum-of-Science-and-Industry-Announces-Historic-Gift-From-Kenneth-C.-Griffin-Charitable-Fund |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/museums/ct-ent-museum-science-industry-kenneth-griffin-name-change-1004-20191003-z3oajjlmerg5feqf3otuovztxi-story.html |title=The Museum of Science and Industry is getting a new name after Chicago billionaire Ken Griffin donates $125 million |first=Steve |last=Johnson |work=Chicago Tribune |date=October 4, 2019 |url-access=subscription |access-date=April 6, 2021 |archive-date=May 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514163633/https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/museums/ct-ent-museum-science-industry-kenneth-griffin-name-change-1004-20191003-z3oajjlmerg5feqf3otuovztxi-story.html |url-status=live }}

In April 2021, he donated $5 million to an initiative to provide Internet access to students in Miami.{{Cite news |url=https://www.pionline.com/frontlines/ken-griffin-donates-5-million-give-miami-students-internet |title=Ken Griffin donates $5 million to give Miami students internet |first=Christine |last=Williamson |work=Pensions & Investments |date=April 5, 2021 |url-access=subscription |access-date=April 6, 2021 |archive-date=April 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210405051220/https://www.pionline.com/frontlines/ken-griffin-donates-5-million-give-miami-students-internet |url-status=live }} In November 2021, Griffin outbid a group of crypto investors to purchase the last privately held copy of the United States Constitution at auction for $43.2 million. Griffin said, "I intend to ensure that this copy of our Constitution will be available for all Americans and visitors to view and appreciate in our museums and other public spaces", with plans to display it first at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Arkansas.{{Cite news|last=Crow|first=Kelly|date=2021-11-19|title=Citadel CEO Ken Griffin Outbid a Group of Crypto Investors for Copy of U.S. Constitution|language=en-US|work=Wall Street Journal|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/citadel-ceo-ken-griffin-outbid-a-group-of-crypto-investors-for-copy-of-u-s-constitution-11637352087|access-date=2021-11-19|issn=0099-9660|archive-date=November 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119202140/https://www.wsj.com/articles/citadel-ceo-ken-griffin-outbid-a-group-of-crypto-investors-for-copy-of-u-s-constitution-11637352087|url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/11/19/22791989/citadel-ceo-ken-griffin-won-constitutiondao-sothebys-auction |title=A hedge fund billionaire outbid crypto investors for a rare copy of the US Constitution |first=Jacob |last=Kastrenates |date=November 19, 2021 |accessdate=November 19, 2021 |work=The Verge |archive-date=November 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119211828/https://www.theverge.com/2021/11/19/22791989/citadel-ceo-ken-griffin-won-constitutiondao-sothebys-auction |url-status=live }}

In March 2022, Griffin donated $40 million to the American Museum of Natural History in New York to help complete the 230,000 square foot renovation.{{Cite web|last=Gordon|first=Amanda L|title=Ken Griffin Gives $40 million to NYC Natural History Museum|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-03-28/ken-griffin-gives-40-million-to-nyc-s-natural-history-museum?sref=HoL7wPjq|date=29 March 2022|website=bloomberg.com|access-date=March 23, 2023}} In July 2022, he donated $130 million to Chicago nonprofits before his move to Florida.{{Cite web|last=Cherney|first=Elyssa|title=Ken Griffin gives $130 million in parting gifts to local organizations|url=https://www.chicagobusiness.com/nonprofits-philanthropy/citadels-ken-griffin-donates-final-130-million-local-organizations|date=7 July 2022|website=chicagobusiness.com|access-date=March 23, 2023|archive-date=March 23, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323203459/https://www.chicagobusiness.com/nonprofits-philanthropy/citadels-ken-griffin-donates-final-130-million-local-organizations|url-status=live}} In October 2022, Griffin donated $250,000 to a Miami scholarship program for STEM students, his first donation since moving Citadel's headquarters there.{{Cite web|last1=Mustak|first1=Dayana|last2=Gordon|first2=Amanda L|title=Ken Griffin Makes First Donation in Miami Since Moving Citadel|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-10-12/ken-griffin-makes-first-donation-in-miami-since-moving-citadel?sref=HoL7wPjq|date=12 October 2022|website=bloomberg.com|access-date=March 23, 2023}}

Griffin, the Carnegie Corporation of New York, and the Walton Family Foundation have funded The Education Recovery Scorecard, an analysis of pandemic learning loss released in October 2022 that uses local and national test score data to map changes in student performance.{{Cite web|url=https://ed.stanford.edu/news/new-research-details-pandemic-s-variable-impact-us-school-districts|title=New research details the pandemic's variable impact on U.S. school districts|date=October 27, 2022|website=Stanford Graduate School of Education}}

In April 2023, Griffin donated $300 million to the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences, and Harvard announced that it would rename its Graduate School of Arts and Sciences after him.{{cite web |url=https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2023/04/kenneth-c-griffin-makes-gift-of-300-million-to-fas/ |website=Harvard Gazette |publisher=Harvard University |title=Kenneth C. Griffin makes gift of $300 million to FAS |date=April 11, 2023 |access-date=April 11, 2023 |archive-date=April 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230411151223/https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2023/04/kenneth-c-griffin-makes-gift-of-300-million-to-fas/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Wong |first1=Julia Carrie |author-link=Julia Carrie Wong |last2=Kirchgaessner |first2=Stephanie |title=Harvard to rename school after top Republican donor following $300m gift |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/apr/11/harvard-republican-donor-kenneth-griffin |access-date=April 11, 2023 |work=The Guardian |date=April 11, 2023 |archive-date=April 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230412043354/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/apr/11/harvard-republican-donor-kenneth-griffin |url-status=live }} A few weeks later, Griffin donated $25 million to Success Academy Charter Schools, New York City's largest charter school network,{{cite news |last1=Gordon |first1=Amanda L |title=Ken Griffin Gives $25 Million to New York's Success Academy Schools |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-04-25/ken-griffin-gives-25-million-to-ny-s-success-academy-schools |publisher=Bloomberg News |date=April 25, 2023}} and gave $20 million to Miami Dade College, where he also addressed the 2023 graduating class.{{cite news |last1=Chen |first1=Shiyin |title=Ken Griffin Gifts $20 Million, Life Lessons to Miami College |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-04-23/ken-griffin-gives-20-million-to-miami-dade-college-shares-life-lessons |publisher=Bloomberg News |date=April 23, 2023}}

In April 2024, Griffin donated $9 million to fund a math-tutoring program for students in the Miami-Dade County Public Schools, in partnership with the University of Chicago and Accelerate, to address education gaps caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite news |last1=Tremayne-Pengelly |first1=Alexandra |date=22 April 2024 |title=In Philanthropy: Ken Griffin Donates $9M Toward Miami Schools and More |url=https://observer.com/2024/04/philanthropy-news-ken-griffin-cindy-johnson-mike-curb/ |publisher=Observer}}{{cite news |last1=Kaiser |first1=Anna J |date=11 April 2024 |title=Ken Griffin Is Bringing University of Chicago Math Tutoring to Miami |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-04-11/griffin-brings-university-of-chicago-to-miami-for-math-tutoring |publisher=Bloomberg}}

In July 2020, Griffin donated $10 million to the U.S. Navy SEAL Foundation. The gift will support the expansion of resiliency programming for children, fund a scholarship program for higher education, and support other programs for Navy SEALs and their families.{{cite news |date=4 July 2020 |title=Navy SEAL Foundation receives $10 million from Ken Griffin |url=https://philanthropynewsdigest.org/news/navy-seal-foundation-receives-10-million-from-ken-griffin |publisher=Philanthropy News Digest}} In November 2023, he donated $30 million to the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation to support the construction of a museum in Arlington, Texas, honoring the recipients of the medal. The museum will include a theater and a conference center to provide national educational programming.{{cite news |last1=Marques |first1=Felipe |date=9 November 2023 |title=Ken Griffin Gives $30 Million to Medal of Honor Museum in Texas |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-11-09/ken-griffin-gives-30-million-to-medal-of-honor-museum-in-texas |publisher=Bloomberg}}

Griffin supported the University of Chicago's Center for Urban School Improvement, a program encouraging the construction of an inner-city charter high school, and contributed to the Lurie Children's Hospital.{{cite news |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/ct-xpm-2010-01-07-chi-thu-griffin-jan07-story.html |title=Kenneth and Anne Griffin give $16 million to Children's Memorial Hospital |last1=Harris |first1=Melissa |last2=Japsen |first2=Bruce |work=Chicago Tribune |date=January 7, 2010 |archive-date=February 13, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150213074925/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2010-01-07/health/chi-thu-griffin-jan07_1_new-hospital-kenneth-griffin-children-s-memorial-hospital| url-status=live}}

In 2017, Griffin contributed $15 million to the Robin Hood Foundation.{{cite news|title=Hedge Fund Billionaire Griffin to Give $15 Million to Robin Hood| url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-04-27/hedge-fund-billionaire-griffin-to-give-15-million-to-robin-hood| work=Bloomberg News| last=Gordon | first=Amanda |date=April 27, 2017 |url-access=limited |archive-date=December 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191226214729/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-04-27/hedge-fund-billionaire-griffin-to-give-15-million-to-robin-hood |url-status=live}}

In May 2022, The University of Chicago announced a $25 million donation from Griffin to launch an initiative design to train police managers and prevent neighborhood violence. The funds will aid in launching two community Safety Leadership Academies. The Policing Management Academy aims to professionalize departments by educating their leaders though coaching, accountability and data-driven decision making. This donation came after Griffin's $10 million donation to the Crime Lab in 2018 to implement an early intervention system to investigate citizen complaints.{{cite journal|date=13 May 2022|url=https://philanthropynewsdigest.org/news/university-of-chicago-crime-lab-receives-27.5-million|title=University of Chicago Crime Lab receives $27.5 million|journal=Philanthropy News Digest|access-date=17 May 2022|archive-date=May 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220513044721/https://philanthropynewsdigest.org/news/university-of-chicago-crime-lab-receives-27.5-million|url-status=live}}

Griffin is a member of the Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago, where he was married.{{cite news |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-ken-griffin-timeline-1109-biz-20141107-story.html |title=Kenneth Griffin and Anne Dias Griffin timeline |work=Chicago Tribune |date=November 7, 2014 |access-date=April 8, 2021 |archive-date=April 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411175959/https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-ken-griffin-timeline-1109-biz-20141107-story.html |url-status=live }} In 2011, he donated $11.5 million of the $38.2 million needed to build a new chapel at the church. The modern building is called "The Gratz Center" in honor of Griffin's grandparents.{{cite news |last=Kent |first=Cheryl |title=Fourth Presbyterian Church's new Gratz Center a welcome and brave grace note |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/ct-xpm-2012-12-19-ct-ent-1220-4th-pres-20121219-story.html |work=Chicago Tribune |date=December 19, 2012 |url-access=subscription |issn=2165-171X |archive-date=December 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191226213559/https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/ct-xpm-2012-12-19-ct-ent-1220-4th-pres-20121219-story.html |url-status=live}}

In March 2023, Griffin partnered with former Google CEO Eric Schmidt to donate $50 million to Schmidt's new scientific research project, Convergent Research.{{cite news |last1=Knapp |first1=Alex |title=Why Billionaires Ken Griffin And Eric Schmidt Are Spending $50 Million On A New Kind Of Scientific Research |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexknapp/2023/03/17/why-billionaires-ken-griffin-and-eric-schmidt-are-spending-50-million-on-a-new-kind-of-scientific-research/?sh=63a516bd2847 |work=Forbes |date=17 March 2023}} In early 2023, Griffin gave $25 million, his largest single donation to date in Florida, to the Nicklaus Children's Hospital in Miami.{{cite news |last1=Gordon |first1=Amanda L. |title=Griffin Makes His Biggest Miami Gift Yet to Pediatric Hospital |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-01-31/griffin-makes-his-biggest-miami-gift-yet-to-pediatric-hospital?embedded-checkout=true |publisher=Bloomberg |date=31 January 2023}} In December 2023, Griffin and American entrepreneur David Geffen pledged to donate $400 million to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, the largest single gift in the cancer center's 150-year history.{{cite news |last1=Gordon |first1=Amanda L. |title=Billionaires Ken Griffin and David Geffen Give $400 Million to Fight Cancer |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-12-12/billionaires-griffin-geffen-give-nyc-s-msk-cancer-center-400-million-gift |publisher=Bloomberg |date=12 December 2023}}

In March 2024, Griffin announced a gift of $50 million to be used for research at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami. A new 12-story facility is under construction and will be named the Kenneth C. Griffin Cancer Research Building.{{cite news |last1=Marchante |first1=Michelle |date=5 March 2024 |title=Citadel CEO Ken Griffin donates $50M to UM's Sylvester on 305 Day. What's it for? |url=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/health-care/article286245180.html |publisher=Miami Herald}} Also announced in March 2024 was an additional $50 million donation from Griffin's philanthropic organization Griffin Catalyst to the Baptist Health Foundation to expand its Miami Neuroscience Institute.{{cite news |last1=Gordon |first1=Amanda L. |date=19 March 2024 |title=Griffin Gives $50 Million for Brain Research in Second Large Miami Gift This Month |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-03-19/ken-griffin-gift-brings-his-total-florida-giving-to-100-million-in-march-alone |publisher=Bloomberg}} The facility is to be named the Kenneth C. Griffin Center at the Baptist Health Miami Neuroscience Institute.{{cite news |last1=Inácio |first1=Patricia |date=25 March 2024 |title=$50M donation to Baptist Health in Miami to advance Parkinson's care |url=https://parkinsonsnewstoday.com/news/50m-gift-baptist-health-miami-advance-parkinsons-care/ |publisher=Parkinson's News Today}}

In a 2012 interview with the Chicago Tribune, Griffin said that the rich actually have too little influence in politics. He identified as a Ronald Reagan Republican. He said the belief "that a larger government is what creates prosperity, that a larger government is what creates good" is wrong.{{cite news |title=Ken Griffin interview: Billionaire talks politics and money|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-xpm-2012-03-11-ct-biz-0311-confidential-griffin-web-version-20120311-story.html |last=Harris|first=Melissa |work=Chicago Tribune |date=March 11, 2012 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=December 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219225005/https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-xpm-2012-03-11-ct-biz-0311-confidential-griffin-web-version-20120311-story.html|url-status=live}}

In a November 2015 interview on CNBC, Griffin said he admires Scott Walker, calling him an "absolute champion of free markets and a champion of smaller government".{{Cite news |title=It's tougher to get a job at Citadel than to get into Harvard, says CEO Ken Griffin |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/chicago/news/2015/11/19/its-tougher-to-get-a-job-at-citadel-than-to-get.html |url-status=live|work=American City Business Journals |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026014455/https://www.bizjournals.com/chicago/news/2015/11/19/its-tougher-to-get-a-job-at-citadel-than-to-get.html |archive-date=October 26, 2020|date=November 19, 2015}}

In April 2016, because Citadel owned over 1 million shares of McDonald's, Griffin was the target of protestors supporting the Fight for $15.{{cite news |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-fight-for-15-protest-targets-0413-biz-20160412-story.html |title=Ken Griffin, McDonald's among targets at Fight for $15's Chicago protests |first=Alexia |last=Elejalde-Ruiz |work=Chicago Tribune |date=April 12, 2016 |access-date=April 6, 2021 |archive-date=May 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517154127/https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-fight-for-15-protest-targets-0413-biz-20160412-story.html |url-status=live }} In May 2017, he praised Donald Trump's efforts at tax and healthcare reform.{{Cite news |title=Trump's First 100 Days Get a Warm Embrace from Ken Griffin |url=https://www.institutionalinvestor.com/article/b1505p7s9tgyns/trumps-first-100-days-get-a-warm-embrace-from-ken-griffin |date=May 1, 2017 |work=Institutional Investor |archive-date=August 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180812111029/https://www.institutionalinvestor.com/article/b1505p7s9tgyns/trumps-first-100-days-get-a-warm-embrace-from-ken-griffin |url-status=live}}

In 2018, it was announced that Griffin had been appointed the national finance chair for the New Republican PAC fueling Rick Scott's Super PAC.{{Cite web|last1=RobertsJune 7|first1=Ray|last2=Pm|first2=2018 at 12:47|date=2018-06-07|title=Chicago billionaire Ken Griffin named finance chair for Rick Scott's super PAC|url=https://floridapolitics.com/archives/265653-chicago-billionaire-ken-griffin-named-finance-director-for-rick-scotts-super-pac/|access-date=2021-04-17|website=Florida Politics|language=en-US|archive-date=April 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417155254/https://floridapolitics.com/archives/265653-chicago-billionaire-ken-griffin-named-finance-director-for-rick-scotts-super-pac/|url-status=live}}

In November 2018, Griffin criticized Trump's tweets berating Chair of the Federal Reserve Jerome Powell, calling them "completely inappropriate for the president of the United States".{{Cite news|title=Hedge fund billionaire Ken Griffin slams Trump for Fed criticism |work=Financial Times |url=https://www.ft.com/content/7b035448-e75e-11e8-8a85-04b8afea6ea3 |url-status=live|last=Renninson |first=Joe |date=November 13, 2018 |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201025223222/https://www.ft.com/content/7b035448-e75e-11e8-8a85-04b8afea6ea3 |archive-date=October 25, 2020}}{{Cite news |title=Hedge-fund heavyweight Ken Griffin fears Trump knocks on Fed eroding faith in dollar|url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/founder-of-hedge-fund-giant-says-trumps-fed-attack-threatens-confidence-people-have-in-the-dollar-2018-11-13 |last=DeCambre |first=Mark |work=MarketWatch |archive-date=August 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190804162143/https://www.marketwatch.com/story/founder-of-hedge-fund-giant-says-trumps-fed-attack-threatens-confidence-people-have-in-the-dollar-2018-11-13 |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |title=Jay Powell Can Always Go Work For Ken Griffin If This Fed Chair Thing Doesn't Work Out |url=https://dealbreaker.com/2018/11/jay-powell-can-always-go-work-for-ken-griffin-if-this-fed-chair-thing-doesnt-work-out |date=November 14, 2018 |first=Jon |last=Shazar |access-date=October 17, 2020 |archive-date=April 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230412122517/https://dealbreaker.com/2018/11/jay-powell-can-always-go-work-for-ken-griffin-if-this-fed-chair-thing-doesnt-work-out |url-status=live }}

In January 2019, Griffin was singled out by Elizabeth Warren on a Facebook post as someone who can pay her Ultra-Millionaire Tax.{{Cite web |title=Elizabeth Warren|url=https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethWarren/posts/10156282762158687 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026140448/https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethWarren/posts/10156282762158687 |archive-date=October 26, 2020 |date=January 30, 2019 |via=Facebook}} During a March 2019 interview with David Rubenstein, he criticized Warren's proposals, saying, "soaking the rich doesn't work".{{Cite AV media |last=Rubenstein |first=David |authorlink=David Rubenstein |title=The David Rubenstein Show: Ken Griffin|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wRQIhtX0Wo |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190821104712/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wRQIhtX0Wo&gl=US&hl=en |archive-date=August 21, 2019 |via=YouTube}}

In January 2020, Griffin was absent from a signing ceremony for the phase-one trade deal with China at the White House, for which Trump criticized him.{{Cite news |title=At White House ceremony, President Trump calls out for no-show Chicago billionaire Ken Griffin: 'Where the hell is he?' |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-trump-calls-out-ken-griffin-20200116-irdz2xo2jffwrli5wlxrkedc4e-story.html |first=Lisa |last=Donovan |work=Chicago Tribune |date=January 16, 2020 |archive-date=April 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200430030101/https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-trump-calls-out-ken-griffin-20200116-irdz2xo2jffwrli5wlxrkedc4e-story.html |url-status=live}}{{Cite press release |title=Remarks by President Trump at Signing of the U.S.-China Phase One Trade Agreement |url=https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefings-statements/remarks-president-trump-signing-u-s-china-phase-one-trade-agreement-2/ |via=National Archives |work=whitehouse.gov |date=January 15, 2020 |access-date=February 25, 2021 |archive-date=March 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210306112156/https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefings-statements/remarks-president-trump-signing-u-s-china-phase-one-trade-agreement-2/ |url-status=live }}

In September 2020, Griffin wrote an op-ed published in the Chicago Tribune stating his opposition to Governor of Illinois J. B. Pritzker's "Fair Tax" proposal, which would change Illinois's income tax from a flat tax to a graduated tax.{{Cite news |title=Commentary: Ken Griffin: Why I oppose the graduated income tax|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/opinion/commentary/ct-opinion-graduated-income-tax-ken-griffin-20200904-lauhnk4t3fcbtczf7i6sxjghya-story.html |last=Griffin |first=Ken|work=Chicago Tribune |archive-date=September 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200907065458/https://www.chicagotribune.com/opinion/commentary/ct-opinion-graduated-income-tax-ken-griffin-20200904-lauhnk4t3fcbtczf7i6sxjghya-story.html |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |title=Deep-pockets dogfight? Billionaires Ken Griffin and Gov. Pritzker dig into wallets in battle over income tax |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2020/9/4/21423138/billionaires-ken-griffin-20-million-pritzker-proposed-graduated-income-tax-fair-coalition |last=Hinton |first=Rachel |date=September 4, 2020 |work=Chicago Sun-Times |archive-date=September 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200908081619/https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2020/9/4/21423138/billionaires-ken-griffin-20-million-pritzker-proposed-graduated-income-tax-fair-coalition|url-status=live}} In an October 2020 email to Citadel LLC's Chicago employees, Griffin criticized Pritzker's tax plan and alluded to the possibility of moving his company out of Illinois.{{Cite news |last=Pearson |first=Rick |title=Battle of billionaires: Griffin slams Pritzker push for graduated income tax amendment in email to employees|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-graduated-income-tax-ken-griffin-20201023-6qz46t3z5rbpdmgqaxwzd4xsya-story.html |date=October 24, 2020 |work=Chicago Tribune |archive-date=October 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023070412/https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-graduated-income-tax-ken-griffin-20201023-6qz46t3z5rbpdmgqaxwzd4xsya-story.html |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |url=https://capitolfax.com/2020/10/23/ken-griffin-goes-off-on-jb-pritzker/ |title=Ken Griffin goes off on JB Pritzker |work=Capitol Fax |archive-date=October 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027142957/https://capitolfax.com/2020/10/23/ken-griffin-goes-off-on-jb-pritzker/|url-status=live}}

While being interviewed by Paul Tudor Jones at the Robin Hood Foundation investor conference in October 2020, Griffin criticized Joe Biden's plans to raise the long-term capital gains tax rate.{{Cite news |title=In Leaked Remarks Among Hedge Fund Managers, Citadel's Ken Griffin Opens Up on Taxes |url=https://www.institutionalinvestor.com/article/b1p0c0b8y5q0hz/In-Leaked-Remarks-Among-Hedge-Fund-Managers-Citadel-s-Ken-Griffin-Opens-Up-on-Taxes |first=Leanna |last=Orr |work=Institutional Investor |date=October 28, 2020 |access-date=November 2, 2020 |archive-date=November 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104200713/https://www.institutionalinvestor.com/article/b1p0c0b8y5q0hz/In-Leaked-Remarks-Among-Hedge-Fund-Managers-Citadel-s-Ken-Griffin-Opens-Up-on-Taxes |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Shazar |first=Jon |title=Ken Griffin: Raise Taxes, Just, Like, Not On Me |url=https://dealbreaker.com/2020/10/griffin-jones-talk-taxes-stimulus |work=Dealbreaker |date=October 29, 2020 |access-date=November 2, 2020 |archive-date=April 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230412122453/https://dealbreaker.com/2020/10/griffin-jones-talk-taxes-stimulus |url-status=live }}

After Hamas's October 7 attacks on Israel in 2023, Griffin contacted the Harvard Corporation leadership to demand a university response, including a condemnation of 30 student groups that signed a letter critical of Israel. He also supported statements made by fellow alumnus and donor Bill Ackman that his firm would not hire students who signed the letter.{{Cite news |last=Copeland |first=Rob |date=2023-10-15 |title=Warning of 'Grave' Errors, Powerful Donors Push Universities on Hamas |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/15/business/harvard-upenn-hamas-israel-students-donors.html |access-date=2023-10-16 |issn=0362-4331}} In January 2024, Griffin expressed his discontent with Harvard's educational approach, saying that the university should focus on educating future leaders and problem solvers rather than getting lost in issues like microaggressions and DEI.{{Cite web |title=Billionaire Megadonor Ken Griffin Says He Will Stop Donations to Harvard {{!}} News {{!}} The Harvard Crimson |url=https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2024/1/31/ken-griffin-pausing-harvard-donations/ |access-date=2024-06-27 |website=www.thecrimson.com}} In May 2024, he criticized the "failed education system" for anti-Israel protests on campuses, urging Harvard to "embrace our Western values that have built one of the greatest nations in the world".{{Cite web |title=Hedge fund billionaire Ken Griffin says college protests are the result of a 'cultural revolution' and Harvard should 'embrace our Western values' |url=https://fortune.com/2024/05/11/ken-griffin-citadel-hedge-fund-billionaire-college-protests-israel-gaza-western-values/ |access-date=2024-06-27 |website=Fortune |language=en}}

File:Ken Griffin Federal Political Contributions.png

In a 2012 interview, Griffin said that people should be able to make unlimited contributions to politicians, but that the contributions should be public.{{cite news |url=https://money.cnn.com/2015/02/26/news/ken-griffin-political-contributions/ |title=Billionaire GOP contributor maxes out in one day |first=Gregory |last=Wallace |work=CNN |date=February 26, 2015 |access-date=April 6, 2021 |archive-date=April 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411165249/https://money.cnn.com/2015/02/26/news/ken-griffin-political-contributions/ |url-status=live }}

Griffin has made political donations to conservative political candidates, parties, and organizations, such as American Crossroads and the Republican Governors Association.

During the 2010 United States elections, Griffin donated $721,600 to federal candidates and political committees. Except for a $2,400 contribution to then United States Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Chairman Chris Dodd, all the contributions were to Republicans.{{cite news |url=https://www.opensecrets.org/news/2011/11/one-time-obama-bundler-now-seeing-red/ |title=One-Time Obama Bundler Now Seeing Only Red |first=M. |last=Beckel |publisher=OpenSecrets |date=November 16, 2011 |access-date=April 6, 2021 |archive-date=February 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224004943/https://www.opensecrets.org/news/2011/11/one-time-obama-bundler-now-seeing-red/ |url-status=live }} During the 2012 election cycle, Griffin contributed around $1.1 million to Restore Our Future, a pro-Romney super PAC.{{Cite web |last1=Phillip |first1=Abby |last2=Vogel |first2=Kenneth P. |date=June 14, 2012 |title=Wall St. vote: Romney by landslide |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2012/06/wall-streets-vote-mitt-by-a-landslide-077368 |work=Politico |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210617235512/https://www.politico.com/story/2012/06/wall-streets-vote-mitt-by-a-landslide-077368 |archive-date=June 17, 2021 |url-status=live}}

Griffin contributed $2 million to the Freedom Partners Action Fund, a Republican-aligned super PAC backed by Charles and David Koch, in November 2015.{{Cite web |last=Sweet |first=Lynn |date=September 25, 2016 |title=Chicago mega-donor Ken Griffin spends on Senate, not Trump |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/2016/9/25/18364943/sweet-chicago-mega-donor-ken-griffin-spends-on-senate-not-trump |work=Chicago Sun-Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402055641/https://chicago.suntimes.com/2016/9/25/18364943/sweet-chicago-mega-donor-ken-griffin-spends-on-senate-not-trump |archive-date=April 2, 2023 |url-status=live}} The next month, Griffin endorsed Marco Rubio for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination.{{cite news |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2015/12/09/hedge-fund-manager-ken-griffin-backing-marco-rubio-for-president.html |title=Hedge fund manager Ken Griffin backing Marco Rubio for president |first=Kate |last=Kelly |work=CNBC |date=December 9, 2015 |access-date=April 3, 2021 |archive-date=April 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414180059/https://www.cnbc.com/2015/12/09/hedge-fund-manager-ken-griffin-backing-marco-rubio-for-president.html |url-status=live }} He gave $5 million to a pro-Rubio super PAC.{{Cite web |last=Gordon |first=Amanda L |date=January 30, 2024 |title=Ken Griffin Gave $5 Million to Haley's Bid to Beat Trump |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-01-30/ken-griffin-gave-5-million-to-haley-s-bid-to-beat-trump |publisher=Bloomberg News |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240130202235/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-01-30/ken-griffin-gave-5-million-to-haley-s-bid-to-beat-trump |archive-date=January 30, 2024 |url-status=live}} Before this endorsement, he had donated $100,000 each to three super PACs supporting Rubio, Jeb Bush, and Scott Walker for the nomination.{{cite news |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-ken-griffin-rubio-1211-biz-20151210-story.html |title=Ken Griffin, Illinois' richest man, throws financial muscle behind Rubio campaign |first=Kim |last=Janssen |work=Chicago Tribune |date=December 10, 2015 |url-access=subscription |access-date=April 6, 2021 |archive-date=May 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519101459/https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-ken-griffin-rubio-1211-biz-20151210-story.html |url-status=live }}

Griffin was the biggest donor to Rahm Emanuel's campaign for reelection as mayor of Chicago.{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/may/10/hedge-fund-managers-salaries-billions-kenneth-griffin-james-simon |title=Top 25 hedge fund managers earned $13bn in 2015 – more than some nations |first=Rupert |last=Neate |work=The Guardian |date=May 10, 2016 |access-date=April 8, 2021 |archive-date=May 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519101500/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/may/10/hedge-fund-managers-salaries-billions-kenneth-griffin-james-simon |url-status=live }}

Griffin was one of the primary backers of Future 45, a pro-Trump super PAC.{{Cite web |last=Jilani |first=Zaid |date=February 17, 2016 |title=Hedge Fund Billionaires Fund Anti-Sanders Super PAC Ad

|url=https://theintercept.com/2016/02/17/hedge-fund-billionaires-fund-super-pac-ad-against-bernie-sanders-and-minimum-wage-hike/ |work=The Intercept |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240331113127/https://theintercept.com/2016/02/17/hedge-fund-billionaires-fund-super-pac-ad-against-bernie-sanders-and-minimum-wage-hike/ |archive-date=March 31, 2024 |url-status=live}} After Trump won the 2016 Republican nomination, Griffin did not contribute to his campaign.{{Cite news |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2016/09/23/megadonors-like-ken-griffin-peter-thiel-keep-their-wallets-closed-for-trump.html |title=Megadonors like Ken Griffin, Peter Thiel keep their wallets closed for Trump |first=Kate |last=Kelly |publisher=CNBC |date=September 23, 2016 |access-date=April 8, 2021 |archive-date=May 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519101459/https://www.cnbc.com/2016/09/23/megadonors-like-ken-griffin-peter-thiel-keep-their-wallets-closed-for-trump.html |url-status=live }}

In 2017, he contributed $20 million to the campaign of Governor of Illinois Bruce Rauner.{{Cite news |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-bruce-rauner-ken-griffin-20-million-met-20170517-story.html |title=Ken Griffin gives Gov. Bruce Rauner's campaign record $20 million |first=Rick |last=Pearson |work=Chicago Tribune |date=May 17, 2017 |access-date=April 17, 2021 |archive-date=April 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417064857/https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-bruce-rauner-ken-griffin-20-million-met-20170517-story.html |url-status=live }}

In March 2020, Griffin contributed $1 million to the 1820 PAC created to support the reelection of U.S. Senator Susan Collins.{{cite web |url=https://www.opensecrets.org/political-action-committees-pacs/C00698126/donors/2020 |title=1820 PAC PAC Donors |publisher=OpenSecrets |access-date=April 6, 2021 |archive-date=September 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927164603/https://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/pacgave2.php?cycle=2020&cmte=C00698126 |url-status=dead }} In late 2020, he donated another $500,000 to the 1820 PAC.{{Cite news |title=Ken Griffin gives big to help Susan Collins in Maine |url=https://www.chicagobusiness.com/finance-banking/ken-griffin-gives-big-help-susan-collins-maine |date=October 13, 2020 |work=Crain Communications |archive-date=October 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201016162108/https://www.chicagobusiness.com/finance-banking/ken-griffin-gives-big-help-susan-collins-maine|url-status=live}}

In 2020, Griffin donated $20 million to the Coalition To Stop The Proposed Tax Hike Amendment, a group opposing the Illinois Fair Tax in its 2020 referendum.{{Cite web |title=Coalition To Stop The Proposed Tax Hike Amendment |url=http://illinoissunshine.org/committees/36052/ |publisher=Illinois Campaign for Political Reform |access-date=September 8, 2020 |archive-date=November 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105035141/http://illinoissunshine.org/committees/36052/ |url-status=live }} Weeks later, he donated another $26.75 million to the coalition.{{Cite news |title=One billionaire's 'Fair Tax' is another's 'catastrophic constitutional amendment' — Griffin-Pritzker checkbook rumble rages on |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2020/10/2/21499530/ken-griffin-pritzker-billionaires-fair-tax-constitutional-amendment-graduated-income |first=Rachel |last=Hinton |date=October 2, 2020 |work=Chicago Sun-Times |archive-date=October 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201004025833/https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2020/10/2/21499530/ken-griffin-pritzker-billionaires-fair-tax-constitutional-amendment-graduated-income |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |last=Pearson |first=Rick |title=Billionaire Ken Griffin drops extra $26.7M against Pritzker's graduated-rate income tax amendment proposal. His total stands at more than $46.7M |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-illinois-graduated-income-tax-amendment-ken-griffin-20201003-2ceosgmgxncljavbi2ylvjcofq-story.html|date=October 3, 2020 |work=Chicago Tribune |archive-date=October 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003193605/https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-illinois-graduated-income-tax-amendment-ken-griffin-20201003-2ceosgmgxncljavbi2ylvjcofq-story.html |url-status=live}} Griffin later donated another $7 million to the group, bringing his total contributions to $53.75 million.{{Cite news |last=Pearson|first=Rick |title=Billionaire Ken Griffin, in battle with Gov. J.B. Pritzker over graduated-rate income tax amendment, ups his stake to $53.75 million to oppose it|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-graduated-income-tax-ken-griffin-donations-20201024-3px2ivnvqbbtvci6lizhuxlqzq-story.html|date=October 24, 2020 |work=Chicago Tribune |archive-date=October 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024120555/https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-graduated-income-tax-ken-griffin-donations-20201024-3px2ivnvqbbtvci6lizhuxlqzq-story.html |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.foxbusiness.com/business-leaders/billionaire-ken-griffin-illinois-tax-hikes |title=Billionaire Ken Griffin spends $20M to campaign against Illinois tax hikes |first=Brittany |last=De Lea |publisher=Fox Business |date=September 9, 2020 |access-date=April 3, 2021 |archive-date=April 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420112118/https://www.foxbusiness.com/business-leaders/billionaire-ken-griffin-illinois-tax-hikes |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Dumke |first=Paul Kiel,Mick |date=2022-07-07 |title=Ken Griffin Spent $54 Million Fighting a Tax Increase for the Rich. Secret IRS Data Shows It Paid Off for Him. |url=https://www.propublica.org/article/ken-griffin-illinois-graduated-income-tax |access-date=2025-03-09 |website=ProPublica |language=en}} Also that year, he donated $2 million to an anti-retention effort for Justice Thomas L. Kilbride, a Democrat on the Supreme Court of Illinois.{{Cite news |title=Partisan Battle Over Supreme Court Race Could Exceed $6 Million In Spending |url=https://illinoisnewsroom.org/partisan-battle-over-supreme-court-race-could-exceed-6-million-in-spending/ |date=October 16, 2020 |archive-date=October 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018030743/https://illinoisnewsroom.org/partisan-battle-over-supreme-court-race-could-exceed-6-million-in-spending/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |title=Partisan battle over state Supreme Court race could exceed $6 million in spending |url=https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20201015/partisan-battle-over-state-supreme-court-race-could-exceed-6-million-in-spending |last=Mansur |first=Sarah |date=October 15, 2020 |work=Daily Herald |archive-date=October 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017073311/https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20201015/partisan-battle-over-state-supreme-court-race-could-exceed-6-million-in-spending |url-status=live}}

Griffin supported Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue in the 2020–21 United States Senate election in Georgia.{{Cite news |title=This hedge-fund billionaire is a huge fan of Sen. Kelly Loeffler — but why? |url=https://www.salon.com/2020/12/17/this-hedge-fund-billionaire-is-a-huge-fan-of-sen-kelly-loeffler--but-why/ |first=Roger |last=Sollenberger |work=Salon |date=December 17, 2020 |access-date=December 18, 2020 |archive-date=December 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201217152604/https://www.salon.com/2020/12/17/this-hedge-fund-billionaire-is-a-huge-fan-of-sen-kelly-loeffler--but-why/ |url-status=live }} In October 2020, he was criticized for a $2 million contribution to a Super PAC supporting Loeffler and funded by her husband, New York Stock Exchange Chairman Jeffrey Sprecher just after one of Citadel LLC's companies needed Sprecher's approval for a merger.{{cite news |url=https://www.dscc.org/news/report-timing-of-hedge-fund-billionaires-2-million-donation-to-pro-loeffler-super-pac-raises-conflict-of-interest-concerns/ |title=REPORT: Timing Of Hedge-Fund Billionaire's $2 Million Donation to Pro-Loeffler Super PAC Raises Conflict Of Interest Concerns |work=Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee |date=December 17, 2020 |access-date=April 6, 2021 |archive-date=May 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519101501/https://www.dscc.org/news/report-timing-of-hedge-fund-billionaires-2-million-donation-to-pro-loeffler-super-pac-raises-conflict-of-interest-concerns/ |url-status=live }}

Griffin contributed a total of $66 million to the 2020 United States elections.{{cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-25/ken-griffin-s-pandemic-had-planes-palm-beach-and-philanthropy |title=Griffin's Covid Year Had Planes, Palm Beach, Philanthropy |first=Amanda L. |last=Gordon |agency=Bloomberg News |date=March 25, 2021 |url-access=limited |access-date=April 8, 2021 |archive-date=March 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326171052/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-25/ken-griffin-s-pandemic-had-planes-palm-beach-and-philanthropy |url-status=live }}

In 2021, Griffin donated $5 million to Ron DeSantis, the governor of Florida.{{Cite news |title=Wealthy GOP donors flock to DeSantis as presidential speculation swirls |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/wealthy-gop-donors-flock-desantis-presidential-speculation-swirls-n1278172 |first1=Allan |last1=Smith |first2=Henry J. |last2=Gomez |publisher=NBC News |date=September 1, 2021 |access-date=September 1, 2021 |archive-date=September 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210901133439/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/wealthy-gop-donors-flock-desantis-presidential-speculation-swirls-n1278172 |url-status=live }} His donations to DeSantis prompted criticism of a possible conflict of interest when DeSantis began promoting Regeneron Pharmaceuticals' therapeutic treatment for COVID-19.{{Cite web |title=DeSantis top donor invests in COVID drug governor promotes |url=https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-health-coronavirus-pandemic-4d0d18b24e0dd41de2424e19b3ed994f |work=Associated Press |date=August 17, 2021 |access-date=September 5, 2021 |archive-date=September 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210905211046/https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-health-coronavirus-pandemic-4d0d18b24e0dd41de2424e19b3ed994f |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=AP: Top Donor Of Gov. Ron DeSantis Is Regeneron Investor |url=https://miami.cbslocal.com/2021/08/21/ap-desantis-donor-regeneron-investor/ |publisher=CBS News |date=August 21, 2021 |access-date=September 5, 2021 |archive-date=September 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210905211047/https://miami.cbslocal.com/2021/08/21/ap-desantis-donor-regeneron-investor/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Farrington |first1=Brendan |title=DeSantis top donor invests in COVID drug governor promotes |url=https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-health-coronavirus-pandemic-4d0d18b24e0dd41de2424e19b3ed994f |access-date=March 22, 2023 |work=AP News |date=August 17, 2021 |ref=Farrington |language=en |archive-date=March 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230320021515/https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-health-coronavirus-pandemic-4d0d18b24e0dd41de2424e19b3ed994f |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |title=EXPLAINER: The link between Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Regeneron |url=https://www.wfla.com/community/health/coronavirus/explainer-reports-on-florida-gov-ron-desantis-regeneron-explained/ |publisher=WFLA-TV |date=August 21, 2021 |access-date=September 5, 2021 |archive-date=September 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210905211050/https://www.wfla.com/community/health/coronavirus/explainer-reports-on-florida-gov-ron-desantis-regeneron-explained/ |url-status=live }} DeSantis has encouraged such monoclonal antibody treatment for COVID-19, which can treat people after they get sick and reduce hospitalization.{{Cite web|title=DeSantis Promotes COVID Antibody Treatment as Site Opens in Pembroke Pines|url=https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/desantis-promotes-covid-antibody-treatment-pembroke-pines/2531996/|access-date=August 19, 2021|website=NBC 6 South Florida|date=August 18, 2021 |language=en-US|archive-date=August 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818202248/https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/desantis-promotes-covid-antibody-treatment-pembroke-pines/2531996/|url-status=live}} Shares in Regeneron were a $16 million investment by Griffin's hedge fund.{{Cite web|last=Schweers|first=Zac Anderson, John Kennedy and Jeffrey|title=Florida Gov. DeSantis promotes Regeneron, a COVID-19 treatment connected to one of his largest donors|url=https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/2021/08/18/florida-gov-ron-desantis-promotes-regeneron-covid-19-antibody-treatment-connected-to-donor/8169958002/|access-date=August 19, 2021|website=Sarasota Herald-Tribune|language=en-US|archive-date=August 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210819182442/https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/2021/08/18/florida-gov-ron-desantis-promotes-regeneron-covid-19-antibody-treatment-connected-to-donor/8169958002/|url-status=live}}Farrington, Brendan. "[https://abcnews.go.com/amp/Health/wireStory/desantis-top-donor-invests-covid-drug-governor-promotes-79508660 DeSantis top donor invests in COVID drug governor promotes] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210173133/https://abcnews.go.com/amp/Health/wireStory/desantis-top-donor-invests-covid-drug-governor-promotes-79508660 |date=February 10, 2022 }}", ABC News (18 Aug 2021). The fund denied any conflict of interest, noting that it had much larger investments in vaccine makers Pfizer and Moderna.{{Cite news |title=DeSantis top donor invests in COVID drug governor promotes |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/desantis-top-donor-invests-covid-drug-governor-promotes-79508660 |first=Brendan |last=Farrington |agency=Associated Press |publisher=ABC News |date=August 21, 2021 |access-date=September 5, 2021 |archive-date=September 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210905211050/https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/desantis-top-donor-invests-covid-drug-governor-promotes-79508660 |url-status=live }} Likewise, a DeSantis spokesperson said that any suggestion of corruption over this connection to Griffin via Regeneron was illogical. Griffin has at times criticized DeSantis, for example saying, "I don't appreciate Governor DeSantis going after Disney's tax status".Contorno, Steve. "[https://edition.cnn.com/2022/05/06/politics/ron-desantis-florida-disney-republicans/index.html As Florida targets Disney, some Republicans chafe at DeSantis' 'vengeful' and 'punitive' Reedy Creek move] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230320022308/https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2022/05/06/politics/ron-desantis-florida-disney-republicans/index.html |date=March 20, 2023 }}", CNN (6 May 2022).

Later in 2021, Griffin promised to donate twice the amount to the Republican opponent of incumbent governor J. B. Pritzker that Pritzker gave himself for the 2022 Illinois gubernatorial election.{{Cite web|last=Pearson|first=Rick|title=Battle of the billionaires rages on as Ken Griffin vows to go 'all in' to defeat Gov. J.B. Pritzker|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-ken-griffin-jb-pritzker-money-politics-20211110-inphzn2c5rawbkmjsti562xmgu-story.html|access-date=2021-12-07|website=Chicago Tribune|date=November 10, 2021 |archive-date=December 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211207013130/https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-ken-griffin-jb-pritzker-money-politics-20211110-inphzn2c5rawbkmjsti562xmgu-story.html|url-status=live}}

For the 2022 elections, Griffin gave $10 million to Congressional Leadership Fund, the super PAC assisting House Republicans, and $5 million to the super PAC supporting Senate Republicans.{{Cite web |last=Tindera |first=Michaela |date=February 3, 2022 |title=Hedge Fund Billionaire Ken Griffin Gives $15 Million To Republican Super-PACs |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/michelatindera/2022/01/31/hedge-fund-billionaire-ken-griffin-gives-15-million-to-republican-super-pacs/ |work=Forbes |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221207192803/https://www.forbes.com/sites/michelatindera/2022/01/31/hedge-fund-billionaire-ken-griffin-gives-15-million-to-republican-super-pacs/ |archive-date=December 7, 2022 |url-status=live}} On May 5, 2022, he donated $1.5 million to Lisa Murkowski through Alaskans for L.I.S.A. (Leadership in a Strong Alaska).Ruskin, Liz. "[https://alaskapublic.org/2022/07/21/deep-pockets-aid-murkowski-with-attack-ads-on-tshibaka/ Deep pockets aid Murkowski with attack ads on Tshibaka] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220721163033/https://alaskapublic.org/2022/07/21/deep-pockets-aid-murkowski-with-attack-ads-on-tshibaka/ |date=July 21, 2022 }}," Alaska Public Media, July 21, 2022. Retrieved July 21, 2022."[https://docquery.fec.gov/cgi-bin/forms/C00793869/1612452/sa/ALL Schedule A] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221007003205/https://docquery.fec.gov/cgi-bin/forms/C00793869/1612452/sa/ALL |date=October 7, 2022 }}," Federal Election Committee, July 21, 2022. Retrieved July 21, 2022.

In March 2023, Griffin contributed $1 million to a political committee affiliated with Miami Mayor Francis Suarez.{{Cite news |last1=Blaskey |first1=Sarah |last2=Riski |first2=Tess |date=5 October 2023 |title=Mayor Suarez praised Ken Griffin's controversial plan. Billionaire's aide wrote the quote |url=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/article280081609.html |access-date=9 March 2025 |work=The Miami Herald}}{{Cite news |last=Flechas |first=Joey |date=18 May 2023 |title=This billionaire and major DeSantis donor gave Miami Mayor Francis Suarez $1 million |url=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article275473016.html |access-date=9 March 2025 |work=The Miami Herald}}

Griffin backed Nikki Haley for the 2024 Republican primaries and contributed $5 million to her presidential campaign. He also supported David McCormick and Tim Sheehy for Senate races, contributing $10 million and $5 million, respectively. In August 2024, Griffin contributed $12{{nbsp}}million to an effort to defeat a proposed amendment that would legalize recreational cannabis in Florida.{{Cite news |last=Ellenbogen |first=Romy |date=August 3, 2024 |title=Effort to defeat marijuana ballot question gets $12M boost from Florida billionaire |url=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article290703119.html |work=Miami Herald |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240807010654/https://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article290703119.html |archive-date=August 7, 2024 |url-status=live |access-date=October 9, 2024}}

Griffin's first wife was Katherine Weingartt, his high-school sweetheart. The couple married in 1991{{Cite web |title=Marriage Record Florida |url=https://erec.mypalmbeachclerk.com///Document/GetDocumentImage/?documentId=5445218&index=0&pageNum=0&type=normal&time=10/22/2024%201:35:13%20PM&rotate=0 |date=February 9, 1991 |website=erec.mypalmbeachclerk.com/ |access-date=November 5, 2024 |archive-date=November 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241105003245/https://erec.mypalmbeachclerk.com///Document/GetDocumentImage/?documentId=5445218&index=0&pageNum=0&type=normal&time=10/22/2024%201:35:13%20PM&rotate=0 |url-status=live }} and divorced in 1996.{{Cite web |title=20 Things You Didn't Know about Ken Griffin |url=https://moneyinc.com/ken-griffin/ |last=Lee |first=Allen |date=September 23, 2019 |website=Money Inc |access-date=August 12, 2020 |archive-date=September 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925073701/https://moneyinc.com/ken-griffin/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-ken-griffin-divorce-20140723-story.html |title=Hedge fund billionaire Ken Griffin files for divorce |first=Becky |last=Yerak |work=Chicago Tribune |date=July 24, 2014 |access-date=April 4, 2021 |archive-date=May 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506125350/https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-ken-griffin-divorce-20140723-story.html |url-status=live }}

In March 2002, Griffin met his second wife, Anne Dias-Griffin after being set up on a blind date by a mutual friend.{{Cite web |url=http://graphics.chicagotribune.com/business/griffin-divorce-timeline/ |work=Chicago Tribune |title=A breakdown of the Griffin breakup |first1=Becky |last1=Yerak |first2=Ryan |last2=Marx |date=October 7, 2015 |archive-date=December 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171210045326/http://graphics.chicagotribune.com/business/griffin-divorce-timeline/ |url-status=live}} She is a French-born graduate of Harvard Business School who worked at Goldman Sachs, Soros Fund Management, and Viking Global Investors before starting the Chicago-based $55 million firm{{cite news |last=Murphy|first=Tim|title=Who Gets to Marry a Billionaire? |url=https://nymag.com/news/features/2007/hedgefunds/30343/ |work=New York |date=April 6, 2007 |archive-date=September 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190920081052/http://nymag.com/news/features/2007/hedgefunds/30343/ |url-status=live}} Aragon Global Management.{{cite news|last1=Stevenson |first1=Alexandra |last2=De La Merced |first2=Michael |title=A Divorce That Thrusts Ken Griffin and Anne Dias Griffin Into the Spotlight |url=https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2014/07/24/kenneth-griffin-files-for-divorce-from-anne-dias-griffin |work=The New York Times |date=July 24, 2014 |url-access=limited |issn=1553-8095 |archive-date=November 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107165424/https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2014/07/24/kenneth-griffin-files-for-divorce-from-anne-dias-griffin/ |url-status=live}} The couple married in July 2003{{cite news |last=Kapos |first=Shia |title=Ken Griffin gives his side of the blowup in the bedroom |url=https://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20150220/BLOGS03/150219777/ken-griffin-says-estranged-wife-overstates-her-hedge-fund-acumen |date=February 20, 2015 |work=Chicago Business |publisher=Crain Communications |url-access=limited |issn=1557-7902 |archive-date=December 26, 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20191226211112/https://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20150220/BLOGS03/150219777/ken-griffin-says-estranged-wife-overstates-her-hedge-fund-acumen|url-status=live}} and had three children.

In July 2014, Griffin filed a divorce petition in Cook County, Illinois, citing "irreconcilable differences" with Dias-Griffin.{{Cite news |last=Stevenson |first=Alexandra |title=Kenneth Griffin and Anne Dias Griffin Settle Divorce Case |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/08/business/dealbook/kenneth-griffin-and-anne-dias-griffin-settle-divorce-case.html |date=October 7, 2015 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=November 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191112163253/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/08/business/dealbook/kenneth-griffin-and-anne-dias-griffin-settle-divorce-case.html |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |last=Frank |first=Robert |title=$450,000 vacation? Billionaire divorce reveals big spending |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2015/02/23/450000-vacation-billionaire-divorce-reveals-big-spending.html |date=February 23, 2015 |publisher=CNBC |archive-date=October 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026020315/https://www.cnbc.com/2015/02/23/450000-vacation-billionaire-divorce-reveals-big-spending.html |url-status=live}} The couple had a prenuptial agreement that governed the split of their assets in the event of divorce.{{Cite news |title=Billionaire Ken Griffin Is Back in Court Fighting Over His Pre-Nup |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2015/10/ken-griffin-divorce-prenup |work=Vanity Fair |last=Fox |first=Emily Jane |date=October 5, 2015 |archive-date=August 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815180955/https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2015/10/ken-griffin-divorce-prenup |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |title=Who won in the high-profile Griffin divorce?|url=https://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20151007/BLOGS03/151009870/ken-griffin-s-high-profile-divorce-who-won|date=October 7, 2015 |work=Chicago Business |publisher=Crain Communications |archive-date=October 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027143022/https://tps11018.doubleverify.com/event.png?impid=6d14aebaa11c4681b47431616da05f31&isbxdms=14799&b0=13150&lftb=15210&sffb=15210&dvp_unl=14859&eoid=10&cbust=1603809022256855 |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |title=Griffin divorce negotiations no surprise to experts |url=https://www.capitalgazette.com/ct-ken-griffin-anne-dias-divorce-1006-biz-20151005-story.html |first1=Becky |last1=Yerak |last2=Janssen |first2=Kim|date=October 5, 2015 |work=The Capital |archive-date=October 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027143025/https://www.capitalgazette.com/ |url-status=live}} As part of the agreement, Dias-Griffin received $22.5 million at the beginning of their marriage and an additional $1 million each year they were married. During the marriage, she received $37 million in cash payments and 50% ownership of their Chicago penthouse, which occupies three floors of the building.{{Cite news |url=https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2014/10/02/citadels-griffin-outlines-terms-of-prenuptial-agreement-in-divorce-fight/ |title=Citadel's Griffin Outlines Terms of Prenuptial Agreement in Divorce Fight |first=Michael J. |last=De La Merced |work=The New York Times |date=October 2, 2014 |access-date=April 4, 2021 |archive-date=May 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508133844/https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2014/10/02/citadels-griffin-outlines-terms-of-prenuptial-agreement-in-divorce-fight/ |url-status=live }} In court fillings, she claimed that she was forced to sign the prenuptial agreement.{{Cite news |last=Copeland |first=Rob |title=Citadel's Ken Griffin Settles Divorce Case |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/BL-MBB-42253 |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=October 7, 2015 |archive-date=August 13, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160813143706/http://blogs.wsj.com/moneybeat/2015/10/07/citadels-ken-griffin-settles-divorce-case/ |url-status=live}} She also claimed that Griffin had no right to enter the Chicago penthouse.{{Cite news |title=Citadel founder's divorce battle over property gets uglier |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2014/10/22/citadel-founders-divorce-battle-over-property-gets-uglier.html |date=October 22, 2014 |publisher=CNBC |last=Kelly |first=Kate |archive-date=August 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815141752/https://www.cnbc.com/2014/10/22/citadel-founders-divorce-battle-over-property-gets-uglier.html |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |title=Ken Griffin gives his side of the blowup in the bedroom |url=https://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20150220/BLOGS03/150219777/ken-griffin-says-estranged-wife-overstates-her-hedge-fund-acumen |date=February 20, 2015 |work=Chicago Business|publisher=Crain Communications |archive-date=December 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191226211112/https://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20150220/BLOGS03/150219777/ken-griffin-says-estranged-wife-overstates-her-hedge-fund-acumen |url-status=live}} He allegedly forbade her from entering homes in Hawaii, Miami, Colorado and New York. In later court filings, Dias-Griffin requested $1 million per month in child support payments, including $300,000 per month for private jet travel, $160,000 per month for vacation rentals, and $60,000 per month for office space and staff.{{Cite news |title=What Billionaires Really Spend Each Month |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/better/money/what-billionaires-really-spend-each-month-n232461 |first=Robert |last=Frank |work=nbcnews.com|publisher=NBC News |date=October 23, 2014 |archive-date=October 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026020315/https://www.nbcnews.com/better/money/what-billionaires-really-spend-each-month-n232461 |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |last=Frank |first=Robert |title=$1 million a month to raise the kids |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2015/01/30/1-million-a-month-to-raise-the-kids.html |date=January 30, 2015 |publisher=CNBC |archive-date=December 29, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161229023006/http://www.cnbc.com/2015/01/30/1-million-a-month-to-raise-the-kids.html |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |title=Hedge Fund Billionaire Ken Griffin Settles Contentious Divorce |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/chasewithorn/2015/10/07/hedge-fund-billionaire-ken-griffin-settles-contentious-divorce/ |last=Peterson-Withorn |first=Chase |date=October 7, 2020 |work=Forbes |archive-date=September 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916072724/https://www.forbes.com/sites/chasewithorn/2015/10/07/hedge-fund-billionaire-ken-griffin-settles-contentious-divorce/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |last=Merced |first=Michael J. de la |title=Anne Griffin Seeks to Void Prenuptial Agreement With Ken Griffin |url=https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2014/09/02/anne-griffin-seeks-to-void-prenuptial-agreement-with-ken-griffin/ |date=September 2, 2014 |work=The New York Times |archive-date=October 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009182044/https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2014/09/02/anne-griffin-seeks-to-void-prenuptial-agreement-with-ken-griffin/ |url-status=live}} Griffin claimed that Dias-Griffin was attempting to use child support to fund her "opulent lifestyle".{{Cite news |title=Ken Griffin asks court to set trial date for divorce |url=https://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20150129/BLOGS03/150129755/citadel-ceo-ken-griffin-asks-for-trial-date-in-divorce-case |work=Chicago Business|publisher=Crain Communications |first=Shia |last=Kapos |date=January 29, 2015 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=October 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027143023/https://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20150129/BLOGS03/150129755/citadel-ceo-ken-griffin-asks-for-trial-date-in-divorce-case |url-status=live}} During the divorce, she requested $450,000 for a 10-day vacation to St. Barts over winter break with their three children. Griffin denied her request but agreed to pay $45,000 for a winter vacation.{{Cite news |last=Yerak |first=Becky |title=Billionaire's estranged wife allegedly demands 24/7 private jet |url=https://www.capitalgazette.com/ct-anne-griffin-demands-0131-biz-20150130-story.html |work=The Capital |date=January 30, 2015 |archive-date=October 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026020315/https://www.capitalgazette.com/ct-anne-griffin-demands-0131-biz-20150130-story.html |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |title=Anne Dias Griffin reveals days leading to prenup |url=https://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20150213/BLOGS03/150219910/anne-dias-griffin-reveals-days-leading-to-prenup |first=Shia |last=Kapos |work=Chicago Business|publisher=Crain Communications |date=February 13, 2015 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=October 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011185708/https://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20150213/BLOGS03/150219910/anne-dias-griffin-reveals-days-leading-to-prenup |url-status=live}} The couple settled their divorce out of court in October 2015, just hours before a public trial over the prenuptial agreement was set to begin.{{cite news |title=Citadel's Kenneth Griffin settles divorce case |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-hedgefunds-griffin-divorce/citadels-kenneth-griffin-settles-divorce-case-idUSKCN0S123S20151007 |last1=Herbst-Bayliss |first1=Svea |last2=Valdmanis |first2=Richard |publisher=Reuters |date=October 7, 2015 |archive-date=December 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191226194507/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-hedgefunds-griffin-divorce/citadels-kenneth-griffin-settles-divorce-case-idUSKCN0S123S20151007 |url-status=live}} As part of the divorce, Griffin paid $11.75 million to buy out his wife's interest in their Chicago penthouse.{{Cite news |last=Goldsborough|first=Bob|title=Ken Griffin pays ex-wife $11.75 million for Park Tower penthouse |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/real-estate/elite-street/ct-elite-street-ken-griffin-1106-biz-20151105-story.html|date=November 5, 2015 |work=Chicago Tribune |archive-date=October 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026020315/https://www.chicagotribune.com/real-estate/elite-street/ct-elite-street-ken-griffin-1106-biz-20151105-story.html |url-status=live}} He and Dias-Griffin maintain joint custody of their children.{{Cite news |last=Fox |first=Emily Jane |title=Billionaire Ken Griffin Is Back in Court Fighting Over His Pre-Nup |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2015/10/ken-griffin-divorce-prenup |date=October 5, 2015 |work=Vanity Fair |archive-date=August 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815180955/https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2015/10/ken-griffin-divorce-prenup |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |title=Who won in the high-profile Griffin divorce? |url=https://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20151007/BLOGS03/151009870/ken-griffin-s-high-profile-divorce-who-won |work=Chicago Business |publisher=Crain Communications |date=October 7, 2015 |url-access=subscription |access-date=August 12, 2020 |archive-date=October 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027143022/https://tps11018.doubleverify.com/event.png?impid=6d14aebaa11c4681b47431616da05f31&isbxdms=14799&b0=13150&lftb=15210&sffb=15210&dvp_unl=14859&eoid=10&cbust=1603809022256855 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last= Peterson-Withorn |first=Chase |title=Hedge Fund Billionaire Ken Griffin Settles Contentious Divorce |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/chasewithorn/2015/10/07/hedge-fund-billionaire-ken-griffin-settles-contentious-divorce/ |date=October 7, 2015 |url-access=subscription |work=Forbes |archive-date=September 16, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916072724/https://www.forbes.com/sites/chasewithorn/2015/10/07/hedge-fund-billionaire-ken-griffin-settles-contentious-divorce/ |url-status=live}}

Griffin is an active buyer of modern art and contemporary art from mainstream artists.{{cite news|title=Sotheby's Brushes Up Its Image With London Auction |work=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/sothebys-brushes-up-its-image-with-london-auction-1423877042 |last=Lane |first=Mary |date=13 February 2015 |url-access=subscription |issn=0099-9660 |archive-date=December 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220194856/https://www.wsj.com/articles/sothebys-brushes-up-its-image-with-london-auction-1423877042 |url-status=live}} His portfolio is valued at close to $800 million and includes several paintings on the list of most expensive paintings.{{Cite news |title=Art Industry News: Hedge-Fund Manager Ken Griffin Just Bought One of Peter Brant's Basquiats for More Than $100 Million + Other Stories |url=https://news.artnet.com/art-world/art-industry-news-june-4-2020-1878852 |date=June 4, 2020 |work=Artnet |archive-date=October 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026020315/https://news.artnet.com/art-world/art-industry-news-june-4-2020-1878852 |url-status=live}}

In 1999, he purchased Paul Cézanne's 1893 painting Curtain, Jug and Fruit Bowl for a reported record $60 million for a Cézanne at the time.

In October 2006, he purchased False Start by artist Jasper Johns for $80 million from David Geffen.{{cite news |title=New Masters of the Art Universe |work=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-masters-of-the-art-universe-1390532969 |last1=Crow |first1=Kelly |last2=Germano |first2=Sara |date=January 23, 2014 |url-access=subscription |issn=0099-9660 |archive-date=December 18, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218014813/https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-masters-of-the-art-universe-1390532969 |url-status=live}} In 2015, he purchased Gerhard Richter's 1986 painting Abstract Picture, 599 for $46 million.

In September 2015, in the largest private art deal ever, he purchased two paintings from Geffen for $500 million: Willem de Kooning's 1955 oil painting Interchange for $300 million, and Jackson Pollock's 1948 painting Number 17A for $200 million.{{cite news |last1=Kazakina |first1=Katya |last2=Burton|first2=Katherine|title=Billionaire Griffin Pays $500 Million for Two Paintings |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-02-18/billionaire-griffin-said-to-pay-500-million-for-two-paintings |work=Bloomberg News|date=18 February 2016 |url-access=limited |archive-date=March 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200308153304/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-02-18/billionaire-griffin-said-to-pay-500-million-for-two-paintings |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://news.artnet.com/market/ken-griffin-drops-500-million-two-paintings-430379 |title=Billionaire Art Collector Ken Griffin Spends $500 Million on Two Paintings |first=Rain |last=Embuscado |work=Artnet |date=February 18, 2016 |access-date=April 8, 2021 |archive-date=February 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220091613/https://news.artnet.com/market/ken-griffin-drops-500-million-two-paintings-430379 |url-status=live }}

In 2017, Griffin reportedly purchased Andy Warhol's 1964 painting Orange Marilyn privately for around $200 million.{{cn|date=June 2024}}

In June 2020, he purchased Boy and Dog in a Johnnypump (1982) by Jean-Michel Basquiat for over $100 million.{{Cite news |last=Kamp |first=Justin |date=June 5, 2020 |title=Hedge Fund Manager Ken Griffin Buys Basquiat Painting for More Than $100 Million |url=https://www.artsy.net/news/artsy-editorial-hedge-fund-manager-ken-griffin-bought-jean-michel-basquiat-painting-100-million |work=Artsy |archive-date=October 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026014455/https://www.artsy.net/news/artsy-editorial-hedge-fund-manager-ken-griffin-bought-jean-michel-basquiat-painting-100-million |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.barrons.com/articles/ken-griffin-buys-a-jean-michel-basquiat-for-more-than-100-million-01591391335 |title=Ken Griffin Buys a Jean-Michel Basquiat for More Than $100 Million |first=Fang |last=Block |work=Barron's |date=June 5, 2020 |archive-date=August 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805022419/https://www.barrons.com/articles/ken-griffin-buys-a-jean-michel-basquiat-for-more-than-100-million-01591391335|url-status=live}} He loaned the painting to the Art Institute of Chicago to be put on public display.{{Cite news|title=Now hanging at the Art Institute: Chicago billionaire Ken Griffin's new, $100 million Basquiat canvas|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/museums/ct-ent-griffin-basquiat-art-institute-loan-0725-20200725-g2l2lzlkhfdh7dpobezyvqw4p4-story.html |url-status=live |last=Johnson|first=Steve |work=Chicago Tribune|date=July 25, 2020 |archive-date=October 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005011925/https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/museums/ct-ent-griffin-basquiat-art-institute-loan-0725-20200725-g2l2lzlkhfdh7dpobezyvqw4p4-story.html}}

His collection also includes art by Njideka Akunyili Crosby.{{Cite web |url=https://www.artnews.com/art-collectors/top-200-profiles/kenneth-c-griffin/ |title=Top 200 Collectors: KENNETH C. GRIFFIN |date=September 10, 2017 |publisher=ARTnews |access-date=April 17, 2021 |archive-date=April 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417064858/https://www.artnews.com/art-collectors/top-200-profiles/kenneth-c-griffin/ |url-status=live }}

File:220 CPS fr 9th Av jeh.jpg (pictured) for $238 million, breaking the record for the most expensive home ever sold in the United States.]]

Griffin owns personal residences valued at more than $1 billion.{{Cite news |title=How Citadel CEO Ken Griffin Built a $1 Billion Private Property Portfolio |work=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/citadel-ceo-ken-griffin-real-estate-11602188980|last=Clarke |first=Katherine |date=October 8, 2020 |url-access=subscription |issn=0099-9660 |archive-date=October 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009022207/https://www.wsj.com/articles/citadel-ceo-ken-griffin-real-estate-11602188980 |url-status=live}}

In 2009, Griffin purchased a full floor apartment at 820 Fifth Avenue in New York City for $40 million.{{Cite news |title=In Real Estate Industry, Remembering a Year Worth Forgetting |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/02/realestate/02topten.html |last=Haughney|first=Christine |date=January 2, 2010 |issn=0362-4331|archive-date=January 7, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100107034407/http://www.nytimes.com//2010//01//02//realestate//02topten.html |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |title=A Peep Into and A Poke Around 820 Fifth Avenue |url=https://variety.com/2009/dirt/real-estalker/a-peep-into-and-a-poke-around-820-fifth-avenue-1201229334/ |last=David |first=Mark|date=May 12, 2009 |work=Variety |archive-date=October 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026020328/https://variety.com/2009/dirt/real-estalker/a-peep-into-and-a-poke-around-820-fifth-avenue-1201229334/ |url-status=live}}

In 2015, Griffin purchased two apartments at the top of the Faena House, a condominium on Collins Avenue in Miami Beach, Florida for $60 million. He sold them in late 2020 at a loss.{{Cite news |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/news/2020/12/18/billionaire-griffin-sells-faena-house-cond.html |title=Billionaire's firm sells Faena House condo for $35M after discount (Photos) |first=Brian |last=Bandell |work=American City Business Journals |date=December 18, 2020 |access-date=April 8, 2021 |archive-date=December 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201218114654/https://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/news/2020/12/18/billionaire-griffin-sells-faena-house-cond.html |url-status=live }}

In 2011, Griffin purchased two oceanfront homes at the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, for $28 million.{{Cite news |title=Billionaires Descend on Hawaii's Big Island |work=Hollywood Reporter |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/michael-dell-ken-griffin-billionaires-698493 |first=Alexandria |last=Abramian |date=April 23, 2014 |archive-date=October 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012132100/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/michael-dell-ken-griffin-billionaires-698493 |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |title=HOUSE OF THE DAY: Ken Griffin Buys A $17 Million Home In Hawaii |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/ken-griffin-buys-in-hawaii-2011-3 |work=Business Insider |last=Goldman |first=Leah |archive-date=October 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026020317/https://www.businessinsider.com/ken-griffin-buys-in-hawaii-2011-3 |url-status=live}}

In 2013 and 2015, Griffin purchased homes in Aspen, Colorado, for $10 million and $12.8 million respectively.{{Cite news |title=Ken Griffin goes on $290 million real estate spree |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2015/10/04/ken-griffin-goes-on-290-million-real-estate-spree.html |last=Frank |first=Robert |date=October 4, 2015 |publisher=CNBC |archive-date=October 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019160444/https://www.cnbc.com/2015/10/04/ken-griffin-goes-on-290-million-real-estate-spree.html|url-status=live}}

In 2017, Griffin purchased a penthouse apartment atop the No. 9 Walton luxury condo tower in Chicago's Gold Coast for $58.75 million. The purchase broke the record for the most expensive sale in Chicago history. The condo was delivered as "raw space" so that Griffin could build it out to his liking.{{Cite news |title=Billionaire exec Ken Griffin pays $58.75 million in Chicago area's priciest home sale ever |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/real-estate/elite-street/ct-re-elite-street-walton-griffin-20180110-story.html |last=Goldsborough |first=Bob |work=Chicago Tribune |archive-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913051224/https://www.chicagotribune.com/real-estate/elite-street/ct-re-elite-street-walton-griffin-20180110-story.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite news |title=Ken Griffin to Receive 2019 Tax Bill Totaling $1.3M at No. 9 Walton |url=https://therealdeal.com/chicago/2020/06/19/ken-griffin-to-get-hit-with-1-3m-tax-bill-for-record-breaking-condo/ |last=Rebong |first=Kevin |date=June 19, 2020 |work=The Real Deal |archive-date=October 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009182044/https://therealdeal.com/chicago/2020/06/19/ken-griffin-to-get-hit-with-1-3m-tax-bill-for-record-breaking-condo/ |url-status=live}} Griffin also owns a full-floor penthouse at the Waldorf Astoria private residences across the street from No. 9 Walton. Records show he purchased it for $6.884 million in 2010.

In 2019, Griffin purchased 3 Carlton Gardens, a Georgian mansion in London for $122 million. The purchase broke several records.{{Cite news |title=Billionaire Ken Griffin buys $122 million London mansion |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/01/22/billionaire-ken-griffin-buys-122-million-london-mansion.html |last=Frank |first=Robert |date=January 22, 2019 |work=CNBC |archive-date=October 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001025335/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/01/22/billionaire-ken-griffin-buys-122-million-london-mansion.html |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |title=US hedge fund tycoon buys £95m house near Buckingham Palace |url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2019/jan/21/us-hedge-fund-tycoon-95m-house-ken-griffin-london-uk |date=January 21, 2019 |work=The Guardian |archive-date=October 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023121938/https://www.theguardian.com/news/2019/jan/21/us-hedge-fund-tycoon-95m-house-ken-griffin-london-uk|url-status=live}}{{Cite news |title=With $122 million London purchase, Ken Griffin has spent at least $724 million on homes |url=https://www.chicagobusiness.com/residential-real-estate/122-million-london-purchase-ken-griffin-has-spent-least-724-million-homes |date=January 21, 2019 |work=Crain Communications |archive-date=August 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806024707/https://www.chicagobusiness.com/residential-real-estate/122-million-london-purchase-ken-griffin-has-spent-least-724-million-homes|url-status=live}}

In 2019, Griffin set the record for the most expensive residential sale ever closed in the U.S. when he purchased roughly 24,000 square feet across three floors at 220 Central Park South in Midtown Manhattan for $238 million. The space was "raw space", meaning Griffin had to build it out.{{Cite news |title=Billionaire Ken Griffin Buys America's Most Expensive Home for $238 Million |work=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/billionaire-ken-griffin-buys-americas-most-expensive-home-for-238-million-11548271301 |last=Clarke |first=Katherine |date=January 23, 2019 |issn=0099-9660|archive-date=December 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191229175730/https://www.wsj.com/articles/billionaire-ken-griffin-buys-americas-most-expensive-home-for-238-million-11548271301|url-status=live}}{{Cite news |title=2019's top 10 home sales broke the billion dollar mark |url=https://www.crainsnewyork.com/residential-real-estate/2019s-top-10-home-sales-broke-billion-dollar-mark |date=December 26, 2019 |agency=Crain Communications |archive-date=April 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200403102218/https://www.crainsnewyork.com/residential-real-estate/2019s-top-10-home-sales-broke-billion-dollar-mark |url-status=live}}{{Cite news|title=The $238 Million Penthouse, and the Hedge Fund Billionaire Who May Rarely Live There |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/24/nyregion/238-million-penthouse-sale.html|last1=Stewart |first1=Nikita |last2=Gelles| first2=David|date=January 24, 2019 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=September 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200909125907/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/24/nyregion/238-million-penthouse-sale.html|url-status=live}} Several New York real estate experts have said that the purchase helped fuel legislation that increased taxes on luxury homes in New York.{{Cite news |title=Pied-A-Terre Tax Debate Reignited After Billionaire Ken Griffin's $238 Million Penthouse Purchase |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/alyyale/2019/02/22/could-ken-griffins-penthouse-purchase-cost-nyc-real-estate-buyers-millions/ |date=February 22, 2019 |last=Yale |first=Aly J. |work=Forbes |archive-date=September 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920035201/https://www.forbes.com/sites/alyyale/2019/02/22/could-ken-griffins-penthouse-purchase-cost-nyc-real-estate-buyers-millions/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |title='Class warfare': NYC's proposed pied-a-terre tax signals a shift—and casts a chill|url=https://www.chicagobusiness.com/residential-real-estate/class-warfare-nycs-proposed-pied-terre-tax-signals-shift-and-casts-chill|date=March 15, 2019 |agency=Bloomberg News |publisher=Crain Communications |archive-date=October 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012115527/https://www.chicagobusiness.com/residential-real-estate/class-warfare-nycs-proposed-pied-terre-tax-signals-shift-and-casts-chill|url-status=live}} During an interview with David Rubenstein, Griffin said that the purchase represented the possibility of making New York City his home in the future.

Griffin has spent $450 million to assemble one of the largest private waterfront sites in Palm Beach County, Florida, with plans to build a 50,000 square foot estate.{{Cite news |url=https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/news/2021/08/31/real-estate-palm-beach-florida-most-expensive-homes/5652745001/ |title=$85 million and up: Top 10 most expensive homes in Palm Beach. 2 have a Trump tie |first=Darrell |last=Hofheinz |work=The Palm Beach Post |date=August 31, 2021 |access-date=September 14, 2021 |archive-date=September 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914195322/https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/news/2021/08/31/real-estate-palm-beach-florida-most-expensive-homes/5652745001/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |url=https://www.palmbeachdailynews.com/story/business/real-estate/2021/01/28/billionaire-ken-griffins-plans-unveiled-mansion-palm-beach/4290396001/ |title=Billionaire Griffin's new house unveiled, proposed for part of South End estate in Palm Beach |first=Darrell |last=Hofheinz |work=Palm Beach Daily News |date=January 28, 2021 |access-date=April 9, 2021 |archive-date=May 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514000307/https://www.palmbeachdailynews.com/story/business/real-estate/2021/01/28/billionaire-ken-griffins-plans-unveiled-mansion-palm-beach/4290396001/ |url-status=live }}

In 2020, Griffin purchased a 7-acre oceanfront compound in Southampton, New York from Calvin Klein for $84.4 million.{{cite web | url=https://therealdeal.com/new-york/tristate/2020/12/21/the-10-priciest-hamptons-homes-sales-of-2020/ | title=Most Expensive Hamptons Home Sales in 2020 | date=December 21, 2020 }}

In 2020, Griffin purchased several properties on Star Island in Miami Beach for a total of $95 million.{{cite news |url=https://therealdeal.com/miami/2020/12/04/ken-griffin-adds-to-star-island-assemblage-with-25m-purchase-sources/ |title=Ken Griffin adds to Star Island assemblage with $25M purchase: sources |first=Katherine |last=Kallergis |work=The Real Deal |date=December 4, 2020 |access-date=April 9, 2021 |archive-date=May 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519101500/https://therealdeal.com/miami/2020/12/04/ken-griffin-adds-to-star-island-assemblage-with-25m-purchase-sources/ |url-status=live }} Note: High-quality sources are behind paywalls in the Miami Herald and WSJ.

In 2022, Griffin purchased a waterfront mansion in Coral Gables, Florida for $45.25 million.{{Cite news |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/news/2022/05/27/650-casuarina-concourse-coral-gables-sold.html |title=Coral Gables mansion sells for $45M to firm associated with billionaire amid legal battle |first=Brian |last=Bandell |work=American City Business Journals |date=May 27, 2022 |access-date=June 25, 2022 |archive-date=May 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220527195856/https://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/news/2022/05/27/650-casuarina-concourse-coral-gables-sold.html |url-status=live }}

In 2025, Griffin purchased a duplex at 740 Park Avenue in New York City previously owned by David Koch for $45 million.https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-02-24/ken-griffin-pays-45-million-for-julia-koch-s-park-avenue-co-op?srnd=homepage-americas {{Bare URL inline|date=May 2025}}

Griffin owns two private jets: a 2001 Bombardier Global Express valued at $9.5 million and a $50 million 2012 Bombardier Global 6000.{{Cite news |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/06/photos-how-citadel-billionaire-ken-griffin-spends-his-fortune.html |title=This hedge fund billionaire owns the most expensive home ever sold in America — here's how he spends his fortune |first=Tom |last=Huddleston Jr. |publisher=CNBC |date=March 7, 2020 |access-date=April 8, 2021 |archive-date=July 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220713085916/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/06/photos-how-citadel-billionaire-ken-griffin-spends-his-fortune.html |url-status=live }}

In June 2006, Rush E. Simonson, claiming to be Griffin's mentor, filed a fraud case (2006-L-005997) against Griffin, alleging that he was entitled to a percentage of Citadel's profits for creating a computer program upon which Citadel was founded.{{Cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/BL-LB-1694 |title=Hedge Fund King Sued By Self-Described Mentor |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=June 14, 2006 |access-date=June 25, 2022 |archive-date=June 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625151114/https://www.wsj.com/articles/BL-LB-1694 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Full Case Electronic Docket Search {{!}} Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County |url=https://casesearch.cookcountyclerkofcourt.org/DocketSearch.aspx |access-date=2022-05-23 |website=casesearch.cookcountyclerkofcourt.org |archive-date=May 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220524100600/https://casesearch.cookcountyclerkofcourt.org/DocketSearch.aspx |url-status=live }} In court filings, Simonson said that he first befriended Griffin in 1982 as a computer salesman. The two struck up a business partnership in convertible-arbitrage. Griffin provided the trading savvy, working both out of his Harvard dorm room and at home in Florida, while Simonson allegedly created the computer program that served as its technological backbone. According to the suit, Griffin struck a deal with a prominent Chicago investor in the late 1980s. As Griffin and Simonson began to unwind their partnership, the suit claimed, Griffin instead began to lay the foundations of what would become Citadel. In doing so, Griffin allegedly improperly took the program that Simonson had created. Simonson also said in his lawsuit that Griffin did not give him a cut of Citadel's profits. In January 2007, he dropped the lawsuit and apologized to Griffin.{{Cite news |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2007-01-22-0701220190-story.html |title=Lawsuit no longer looms for Citadel |first=Jim |last=Kirk |work=Chicago Tribune |date=January 22, 2007 |url-access=limited |access-date=June 25, 2022 |archive-date=June 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625151114/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2007-01-22-0701220190-story.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2007/04/16/8404298/index2.htm |title=Citadel's Griffin: Hedge fund superstar (cont.) |first=Marcia |last=Vickers |work=Fortune |date=April 3, 2007}}

Nick Offerman portrays Griffin in the 2023 film Dumb Money, a biographical drama about the GameStop short squeeze. Griffin claims the original script contained many fabrications, and he coordinated with Sony Pictures to correct some inaccuracies before its release, but he still finds aspects of the film to be sensationalized.{{Cite news |last=Esposito |first=Stefano |date=September 12, 2023 |title=Ken Griffin, a character in 'Dumb Money,' slams movie's 'false implications and inaccuracies' |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/movies-and-tv/2023/9/12/23870630/ken-griffin-dumb-money-nick-offerman-gamestop-movie |work=Chicago Sun-Times}}{{Cite magazine |last=Breznican |first=Anthony |author-link=Anthony Breznican |date=June 21, 2023 |title='Dumb Money' First Look: The GameStop Stock Frenzy Is Now a Movie |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2023/06/dumb-money-first-look |magazine=Vanity Fair |language=en-US}}

• List of Harvard University people

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• {{cite book |last=Peltz |first=Lois |title=The New Investment Superstars |publisher=Wiley |date=March 2009 |isbn=978-0-471-40313-5 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/newinvestmentsup00lois_0}}
• The Quants, Scott Patterson, Crown Publishing Group, February 2, 2010
• [https://www.cnbc.com/video/2015/05/15/ken-griffins-rise-to-power.html Ken Griffin's rise to power], CNBC, May 15, 2015

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