America’s 50 most generous donors increased their giving by 33 percent last year—powered in large part by a $1.9-billion gift from Bill and Melinda Gates and a stunning rise in the number of tech entrepreneurs under 40, three of whom gave more than $500-million each.
The increase is striking compared with 2012, when giving by the Philanthropy 50 rose just 4 percent.
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Philanthropy 50Young Tech Donors Take Leading Role in Philanthropy 50
Twelve of America’s most generous donors, including Jan Koum, the 38-year-old founder of the messaging company WhatsApp, are in Silicon Valley and beyond, and many are under 40. -
Philanthropy 50
6 Graphics to Tell You More About the 2015 Philanthropy 50
Find out what causes and institutions fared the best in 2014, which states have the most big donors, and which got the most big gifts. Plus, see how giving differed between people who made their fortunes in technology versus finance. -
Philanthropy 50
Philanthropy 50 Over the Past Decade
See the total amounts donors on the Philanthropy 50 have contributed, plus learn how the size of the biggest and smallest gifts have changed over the years. -
Philanthropy 50
When Scientific Research Can’t Get Federal Funds, Private Money Steps In
Donors are pouring money into programs that are too experimental or obscure to qualify for government funds. -
Philanthropy 50
A Science Charity Uses a Big Gift to Woo New Donors
The Foundation Fighting Blindness is trying to raise $100-million with the help of a $50-million donation from its founder, Gordon Gund. -
Philanthropy 50
More Tech Entrepreneurs Inclined to Give Now Instead of Waiting
But even as tech leaders increase their giving, some worry that too little is going to deal with problems in the Bay Area. -
Philanthropy 50
$100-Million Oregon Donor Flaunts Her Tough-Mother Reputation
The Columbia Sportswear chief decided to give her fortune to cancer research rather than have the money taxed and used to “buy bullets.” -
Opinion
Opinion: Watchdog vs. Self-Promotion: Why Donor Lists Matter
Competition over who gave the most has been with us since Carnegie and Rockefeller, but now rankings reflect tough questions about philanthropy itself. -
Philanthropy 50
How The Chronicle of Philanthropy Compiled the List of Top 50 Donors
The list shows how much wealthy people contributed in the past year. -
News
Editor’s Note: Updates to the Philanthropy 50
As readers of the digital and print editions of The Chronicle receive our latest issue, you will notice that the Philanthropy 50 list differs from what you see online. We updated the web version after learning about a $1.9-billion donation from Bill and Melinda Gates.
