FX.co ★ Charity causes supported by world’s richest philanthropists

Warren Buffett

Back in 2006, the legendary investor pledged to allocate 99% of his net worth to charity. This summer, Warren Buffett declared that he had given away over $42 billion to various non-profit causes, thus being halfway through his goal. On the whole, the tycoon backs healthcare projects as well as struggles with poverty. His example inspires other successful entrepreneurs. In 2010, the Oracle from Omaha launched the Giving Pledge Campaign in tandem with Bill and Melinda Gates. The participants undertake to give away the most part of their fortune to charity causes. Nowadays, this idea has found support among more than 200 philanthropists from 25 countries.

Bill Gates

The brainchild of Bill and Melinda Gates has been operating for more than 20 years. Over this time, their charity foundation has provided financial aid worth almost $60 billion. The lion’s share of this money is earmarked to fight against famine and poverty. Last year, they donated $10 billion to the African countries suffering from the locust invasion that caused a shortage of agricultural produce. Besides, the foundation was among the first to join the combat against the pandemic. The trustees have committed $1.75 billion to the healthcare system and pharmaceutical companies developing coronavirus vaccines.

Jeff Bezos

This year, Amazon founder was acknowledged to be the most generous among the top 50 charitable Americans. The billionaire grabbed the title of the main philanthropist in the US because of his environmental campaigns. In February 2020, he created his own private fund to fight against climate change. In November, the richest person on the globe selected 16 eco-friendly companies in view of providing them with grants worth $1 billion each. Moreover, last year Jeff Bezos committed $150 million to the companies which distribute food to those who lost the livelihood during the pandemic-driven crisis.

MacKenzie Scott

The ex-wife of Jeff Bezos has been known for her generosity. The scope of her donations has been always humongous. Forbes reckons that in just a year she has given away more than all American philanthropists in their entire lifetimes, excluding the five biggest benefactors.

Last year, MacKenzie Scott transferred nearly $6 billion to accounts of over 500 non-profit organizations. The bulk of her donations was allocated to the projects against racial and gender inequality. Apart from that, she backs projects which aim to create conditions for economic flexibility.

Mark Zuckerberg

Six years ago, Facebook founder and his wife Priscilla Chan joined the Giving Pledge campaign launched by Warren Buffett. Their family fund is actively engaged in charity supporting various directions: fight against racism, inclusive education, and profound medical research. Last year, the couple provided over $13 million to institutions involved in research into COVID-19 causes and coronavirus immunity. Their pandemic relief donations equal $100 million.

George Soros

Business magnate George Soros established the Open Society Foundations back in 1993 which represents a grantmaking network. At present, the fund supports financially human rights organizations around the world. The Open Society Foundations advocate for democracy, economic and social equality as well as liberty of mass media. The OSF helps solve problems of illegal immigrants and promotes public health and education in low-income nations. Last year, the fund ruled by George Soros provided over $1.2 billion to global charity work.

Michael Bloomberg

Founder of his own news agency and ex-mayor of New York Michael Bloomberg is also famous for generous financial aid. The scope of his interests is wide embracing environmental issues, education, and healthcare. In 2018, Bloomberg made the largest donation in the history of university education. He allocated $1.8 billion to Johns Hopkins University so that students from underprivileged families could receive a scholarship. Over the last 10 years, the billionaire donated $1 billion to campaigns aimed to reduce tobacco consumption. In 2020, the media tycoon earmarked at least $330 million as pandemic relief.