How One Megadonor Gives to Further His Cause

Thomas Steyer, a former hedge-fund manager, has given millions to philanthropy, advocacy, and political campaigns aimed at advancing solutions to climate change.

Philanthropy:

In 2011, Mr. Steyer and his wife, Kathryn Taylor, pledged $25-million to his alma mater, Yale University, to start a research institute on the world’s energy problems. In 2009, they pledged $40-million to bankroll a center for sustainable-energy research at Stanford University.

Political advocacy:

In 2013, he pledged $50-million toward his NextGen Climate Action super PAC, promising to raise another $50-million from other donors. In total last year, he gave $11.1-million to NextGen and a second political action committee to help elect candidates who reflect his view on the environment, according to the Center for Public Integrity, a nonpartisan research group. The Center says Mr. Steyer gave more than any donor to any political group within the last year.

Political candidates:

Mr. Steyer spent more than $8-million on the 2013 governor’s race in Virginia and $1-million on a U.S. Senate race in Massachusetts. In 2012, he bundled $100,000 from his family and friends to aid President Obama’s re-election campaign.