Americas Charities | May 24, 2011
Forbes Profiles the World’s Biggest Givers
The ranks of the world’s most generous philanthropists now include nineteen people who have given at least $1 billion to their foundations or charitable causes, up from fourteen in 2009, Forbes reports.
In its second listing of the world’s most generous (in dollar terms) donors,Forbes found that more than two-thirds are from the United States and all but one is a self-made entrepreneur. In creating the list, Forbes did not adjust for inflation, focused on individuals and not extended families, and only counted gifts — not pledges — paid out during a person’s lifetime. As a a result, some big givers — including Blackstone co-founder Peter Peterson, who has pledged to give $1 billion but has only donated $450 million to date, and SAP co-founder Hans Plattner, whose $900 million in giving in 1998 would easily exceed $1 billion if adjusted for inflation — narrowly missed making the list.
Get Resources and Insights Straight To Your Inbox
Explore More Articles
Productive Partnerships: Supporting Nonprofits Through CSR Initiatives
Join America’s Charities President and CEO, Jim Starr, along with other panelists on October 30, 2024 at 3:00 PM ET for NXUnite’s panel on Productive…
Read ArticleGet Resources and Insights Straight To Your Inbox
Receive our monthly/bi-monthly newsletter filled with information about causes, nonprofit impact, and topics important for corporate social responsibility and employee engagement professionals, including disaster response, workplace giving, matching gifts, employee assistance funds, volunteering, scholarship award program management, grantmaking, and other philanthropic initiatives.