Top 20 philanthropists give up $408 billion to causes like shark conservation
Warren Buffett and Bill Gates stand out among the 20 most generous billionaires, with donations totaling US$106.8 billion by 2015. The ranking, prepared by Business Insider in partnership with Wealth-X, includes contributions to education, health, environmental conservation and human rights. None of the donors are women, and some exceed 100% in the generosity index, which compares donations with current assets.
Dietmar Hopp, co-founder of SAP, donated US$1 billion to the Dietmar Hopp Stiftung, focused on sport and health in the Rhein-Neckar region of Germany. Pierre Omidyar, founder of eBay, allocated the same amount to the Omidyar Foundation, supporting entrepreneurship and technology.
Michael Dell contributed $1.1 billion via the foundation created in 1999, including $25 million to a hospital in Austin, Texas.
Foundations dedicated to education and research
James Simons, a mathematician at Renaissance Technologies, donated $1.2 billion to the Simons Foundation, which focuses on education. The couple created institutions in memory of their deceased children, such as the Paul Simons Foundation and Nick Simons, which trains health professionals in Nepal.
Ted Turner transferred US$1.2 billion to his own foundations and US$1 billion to the UN Foundation, covering the environment and world peace. Jon Huntsman Sr., founder of HuntsmanCorporation, committed $1.2 billion to the Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah.
Li Ka-shing, an Asian investor, created the Li Ka-shing Foundation in 1980 and privately financed Shantou University.
Mark Zuckerberg donated $1.6 billion, including $120 million to schools in San Francisco and $75 million to a local hospital.
Donations for conservation and global health
Paul Allen, co-founder of Microsoft, contributed $2 billion to the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, fighting AIDS and protecting sharks. Michael Bloomberg committed $3 billion to the Bloomberg Foundation, supporting public health and initiatives in mid-sized U.S. cities.
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George Kaiser transferred $3.3 billion to the George Kaiser Family Foundation, covering education and community improvement. Eli Broad donated the same amount via two foundations to science, arts and public education.
Carlos Slim Helú contributed US$4 billion to the homonymous foundation, investing US$100 million in conservation in Mexico.
High Generosity Ratings
Gordon Moore, co-founder of Intel, donated US$5 billion to the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, prioritizing science and conservation in the San Francisco region. Sulaiman bin Abdul Aziz Al Rajhi transferred US$5.7 billion, achieving a rate of 966% in education and health.
Several billionaires have joined the Giving Pledge, pledging to donate half of their fortunes. The causes vary from disease eradicationas environmental protection.
Sector-specific contributions
- Education: Foundations like Omidyar and Simons support entrepreneurship and teacher training.
- Health: Huntsman and Zuckerberg fund cancer and Ebola research.
- Environment: Turner and Allen invest in marine communities and species.
Legacy of Lifetime Giving
Transfers occur via family foundations and partnerships with universities. Donors focus on measurable impact across decades.
