Wealthy people in business commonly donate a part of their earnings for the well-being of society. This shows their responsibility towards society. And even society expects them to do something for the betterment of living. We will look over some significant donors who have remarkably contributed their wealth to others. According to research compiled by Business Insider and Wealth-X, Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, George Soros, and Mark Zuckerberg are the top donors.
Bill Gates, the Microsoft co-founder, tops the list of donors. He has a net worth of $84.2 billion and has donated $27 billion. He owns and runs the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation with his wife, Melinda Gates. The foundation is known for its work on advances in science and technology to improve health in developing countries while tackling poverty globally.
The foundation issues grant for initiatives and programs across the globe. They target those focusing on agricultural development, emergency relief, global libraries, urban poverty, global health, and education. Since its inception, the foundation has donated millions to organizations like the World Health Organization, The Rotary Foundation, The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, and UNICEF.
A buffet is one of the wealthiest men in the world and second on the list of the most generous. His net worth is above $61 billion and has already given away above $27.5bn in the past ten years. He donates high worth stocks every year and has promised to continue. Also, he is a significant contributor to Gates and Melinda Gates Foundation. He also created Giving Pledge with Bill Gates. It encourages high-wealth individuals to promise to give a sizeable percentage of their money to charity. It has 171 pledgers from 21 countries. Buffet also donates to Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation, Sherwood Foundation, Howard G. Buffett Foundation and NoVo Foundation.
Mark Zuckerberg is one of the top 5 wealthiest people. His estimated net worth is around $55 billion. Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Chan, launched their charitable initiative after Max was born. They have pledged to donate 99 per cent of their Facebook shares to an L.L.C. It will focus on “promoting equality” and “advancing human potential.”
Since the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative was formed, it has invested in various sectors. It invested $24 million in a start-up. This start-up trains developers in Africa. A $50 million investment was made in an Indian video learning app. Even Bill Gates praised his work. He mentioned Mark as an inspiration to modern philanthropists.
George Soros is the chairman of the Open Society Foundations. He started it in 1979. It primarily donates to international causes, community development, social services, health, and education. It highly focuses on human rights. He has presented above $8 billion in his lifetime.
These donors have set an example for others too. They have shown earning wealth is not only for themselves. But this should help others also. Rich can get richer but by helping the poor and needy.
