Who is the most generous billionaire or millionaire philanthropist?
Philanthropy is an interesting topic. The super wealthy millionaire philanthropist group give away huge sums of money to their favorite charities, amounts that really do make a difference. So just who are the most generous?
In 1997 Ted Turner set the new record for the largest donations to charity ever made. He offered to give $1,000,000,000 to bolster the work of the international organization.
This single act of giving sparked a new trend, that of the super wealthy to take on massive philanthropic projects. Now it seems as something of a competition, one that makes a positive impact on a lot of lives.
Bill Gates had done some moderate philanthropic work before Ted Turners huge offer, but his single largest donation was far behind at $80,000,000. But shortly after Ted’s donation, Bill Gates gave $2.8 Billion dollars. This was only the start, by 2008, the Bill and Melinda Foundation had grown into a $30 Billions dollar venture.
$30 Billion is good, but super investor Warren Buffet was able up the ante a little more. In 2006 he signed away 85% of his massive fortune, most of it going to the Bill and Melinda Foundation, and the rest going to an number of other organizations.
And when all the money that each individually gave over their lifetime, Warren Buffet is way ahead of the nearest competition. He has given away a staggering $40.7 Billion of his $46.
Billionaire and millionaire philanthropic work is increasing more than ever before. New York Times editor and professor and Princeton Peter Singer wrote that ’the first decade of the 21 century is a new golden age of philanthropy.’ Indeed it is a wonderful time for philanthropy.