NetWorth
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Schar
Dwight Schar
Rank #1642
UNITED STATES•Diversified•Homebuilding, NFL team

Dwight Schar

Net Worth
$2.493B
-0.15% (24h)
Dwight Schar is a prominent American businessman and philanthropist, best known as the founder of NVR, Inc., a leading homebuilding company in the United States. With a net worth of $2.5 billion as of March 2024, Schar's wealth stems primarily from his homebuilding ventures and his previous ownership stake in the Washington Commanders NFL team. His career, marked by strategic acquisitions and a focus on financial discipline, has positioned NVR as a major player in the construction industry. Beyond his business success, Schar is recognized for his significant philanthropic contributions to education and healthcare, including substantial donations to Ashland University, George Mason University, and the Inova Health System.

How to read Dwight Schar's profile

Public net-worth figures are estimates. They combine observable inputs—typically listed equity, disclosed transactions, and market prices—with editorial judgment where filings are incomplete (for example, private holdings, debt, or cross-holdings). For Dwight Schar, we anchor the narrative to Homebuilding and Homebuilding, NFL team, then update the headline number as markets move. The chart on this page is meant to show trajectory, not a certified balance sheet.

When you see $2.493B alongside global rank #1642, interpret it as our best synthesis of widely cited ownership and price signals—not a claim about cash on hand. Estimates can diverge from other publishers because of different treatment of options, trusts, charitable vehicles, or illiquid assets. We document the general approach in methodology and welcome corrections via corrections.

Country (UNITED STATES) and career milestones on this page are curated for reader context; they should be verified against primary sources when used for research. Editorial metadata for this profile is refreshed on a rolling basis, with deeper audits at least annually (last noted cycle: 2026).

Looking for depth? When available, the dossier and timeline sections below add long-form context beyond the headline number—prioritize those modules when evaluating claims about strategy, controversies, or philanthropic commitments.

The Full Dossier

Early Life

Dwight Schar was born in 1942 in rural northeast Ohio. He graduated from Norwayne High School in 1960 and went on to study at Ashland University (then Ashland College), where he majored in education, graduating in 1964. After graduating, he initially pursued a career in teaching while also working part-time selling homes on weekends.

Rise to Success

Schar's career took a pivotal turn towards homebuilding. In 1968, he began working at Ryan Homes. In 1980, he founded NVHomes, which later acquired Ryan Homes in 1987, and the combined company was renamed NVR, Inc. Under his leadership, NVR grew rapidly, expanding into mortgage services in 1984 and going public in 1986. NVR is now the third-largest homebuilder in the United States by revenue.

Key Business Strategies

Schar's business acumen is evident in his strategic acquisitions and financial discipline. NVR's focus on homebuilding and mortgage banking has driven its success. He also made a significant investment in the Washington Commanders, demonstrating his interest in sports and business diversification. Schar's ability to adapt to market conditions and manage financial risks has been key to NVR's sustained growth.

Philanthropy

Dwight Schar is recognized for his significant philanthropic endeavors. He has donated to educational institutions, including Ashland University and Elon University, where facilities have been named in his honor. He has also made substantial contributions to healthcare organizations, notably Inova Health System, where he and his wife have supported the Inova Schar Cancer Institute and the Inova Schar Heart & Vascular Institute, with total donations exceeding $126 million.

Career Timeline

2023

Donated $75 million to Inova's heart and vascular program

Schar made a substantial donation to support Inova's heart and vascular programs.

2022

Retired as Chairman of NVR

Dwight Schar retired from his position as chairman of NVR, Inc.

2021

Sold Stake in Washington Commanders

Schar sold his minority stake in the Washington Commanders.

2015

Donated $50 million to Inova Health System

Schar and his wife made a significant donation to establish the Inova Schar Cancer Institute.

2003

Purchased Stake in Washington Redskins

Schar bought a minority stake in the NFL's Washington Redskins.

1987

Acquired Ryan Homes

NVR acquired Ryan Homes, becoming a major homebuilder.

1980

Founded NVHomes

Dwight Schar founded NVHomes, which later became NVR, Inc.

1968

Began Career at Ryan Homes

Schar started his career in the homebuilding industry working at Ryan Homes.

1964

Graduated from Ashland University

Dwight Schar graduated from Ashland University with a degree in education.

Philanthropic Impact

Healthcare$50M

Inova Schar Cancer Institute

A cancer treatment and research center established with a major donation.

Healthcare$75M

Inova Schar Heart & Vascular Institute

A donation to establish a heart and vascular institute.

Education$5M

Ashland University Education Building

Donation for the construction of a new education building.

Education$12M

Elon University Convocation Center and School of Communications

Funding for the construction of new campus buildings.

Education$10M

Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University

A donation to the School of Policy, Government, and International Affairs.

Key Business Ventures & Holdings

CompanyStakeValue
NVR, Inc.0.25%$0.257M

Net Worth History

In-Depth Analysis

Early Life

Dwight Schar was born in 1942 in rural northeast Ohio. He graduated from Norwayne High School in 1960 and went on to study at Ashland University (then Ashland College), where he majored in education, graduating in 1964. After graduating, he initially pursued a career in teaching while also working part-time selling homes on weekends.

Rise to Success

Schar's career took a pivotal turn towards homebuilding. In 1968, he began working at Ryan Homes. In 1980, he founded NVHomes, which later acquired Ryan Homes in 1987, and the combined company was renamed NVR, Inc. Under his leadership, NVR grew rapidly, expanding into mortgage services in 1984 and going public in 1986. NVR is now the third-largest homebuilder in the United States by revenue.

Key Business Strategies

Schar's business acumen is evident in his strategic acquisitions and financial discipline. NVR's focus on homebuilding and mortgage banking has driven its success. He also made a significant investment in the Washington Commanders, demonstrating his interest in sports and business diversification. Schar's ability to adapt to market conditions and manage financial risks has been key to NVR's sustained growth.

Philanthropy

Dwight Schar is recognized for his significant philanthropic endeavors. He has donated to educational institutions, including Ashland University and Elon University, where facilities have been named in his honor. He has also made substantial contributions to healthcare organizations, notably Inova Health System, where he and his wife have supported the Inova Schar Cancer Institute and the Inova Schar Heart & Vascular Institute, with total donations exceeding $126 million.

Data Sources & Methodology

Figures for Dwight Schar are synthesized from the sources below and cross-checked against our net worth methodology. Estimates may lag market moves; see corrections to report discrepancies.

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