Wealth in Goodness: Top 10 Philanthropists in the World Making Global Impact

Age

62 Years

Net Worth of Dan (Forbes 2024)

$25.1 billion 

Total Philanthropic Donations (2023)

$375 million

Source of Wealth

Quicken Loans

Philanthropic Impact of Dan and Jennifer Gilbert in 2023

• Dan and Jennifer Gilbert made a notable philanthropic donation of nearly $375 million.
• The generous contribution from the Gilbert Family Foundation is dedicated to advancing neurofibromatosis (NF) research and treatment.
• The donation facilitated the establishment of a 72-bed inpatient rehabilitation center and a dedicated NF research institute in Detroit.
• This significant contribution aligns with Dan Gilbert's consistent commitment to allocating the majority of his $21.3 billion fortune to charitable causes.
• The Gilberts have a history of impactful philanthropy, including a decade-long, $500 million pledge to reduce poverty and revitalize neglected areas in Detroit.
• Previous generous donations include $20 million for local home repairs and a $30 million gift to Michigan's Cranbrook Academy of Arts.

Age

78 Years

Net Worth (Forbes 2024)

$11.8 billion

Total Philanthropic Donations (2020-2023)

Rs 11,837 crore (approximately $1.6 billion)

Source of Wealth

Wipro

Philanthropic Contributions and Impact

• Azim Premji is ranked 208th on Forbes' Billionaires list in 2023. 
• Notable donations include ₹9,713 crores during fiscal 2020-21, reflecting a 23% increase from the previous year.
• Wipro, under Premji's leadership, committed ₹1,125 crores to support initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Azim Premji made history by becoming the first Indian to sign the Giving Pledge, an initiative by Warren Buffett and Bill Gates. This made him the most generous person in the world.
• Acknowledged as the 12th greatest philanthropist globally in 2023.
• As of 2023, Azim Premji continues his philanthropic efforts with an annual donation of Rs 1,774 crore, contributing to societal well-being.

Age

78 Years

Net Worth (Forbes 2024)

$35.2 billion

Total Philanthropic Donations (2023)

Rs 2,042 crore (approximately $283 million)

Source of Wealth

HCL

Philanthropic Impact

• Listed as 'Most generous Indian' for two consecutive years on EdelGive Hurun India Philanthropy List 2023
• Daily donation rate: Rs 5.6 crore
• 76% increase in philanthropic giving compared to the previous year
• He has also made contributions to VidyaGyan and Shiv Nadar University

Age

67 Years

Net Worth (Forbes 2024)

$115.4 billion

Total Philanthropic Donations (2022)

$850 million

Source of Wealth

Microsoft

Philanthropic Contributions

• Steve Ballmer, former Microsoft CEO, donated over $110 million to Los Angeles organizations from 2016 to 2021.
• He, along with his wife Connie, contributed $500,000 to support Proposition 1, advocating for reproductive rights in California.
• The Ballmer Group, their philanthropic arm, invested $42.5 million in supporting over 100 Black-led nonprofits focused on economic mobility.
• Steve Ballmer committed $175 million to StriveTogether to enhance economic opportunities.
• Additionally, he pledged $43 million for childcare and early childhood education investments in Washington State.
• In 2022, their philanthropic giving reached $850 million, primarily benefiting Detroit, Los Angeles, and Seattle.
• Notable recipients include the Boys & Girls Clubs of Washington State, the Climate & Land Use Alliance, and Strive Together.

Age

50 Years

Net Worth (Forbes 2024)

$113.8 billion

Total Philanthropic Donations (as of Cumulative)

$1.1 billion

Source of Wealth

Alphabet, Google

Philanthropic Contributions

• Sergey Brin, co-founder of Google, is the 10th-richest person globally with a net worth of $113.8 billion in 2024.
• He has committed a substantial $1.1 billion to fund Parkinson's research, emerging as a major donor in this field.
• Brin's philanthropy has recently focused on advancing basic science, particularly in Parkinson's research.
• The strategic initiative Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP), launched in 2017, emphasizes coordinated and meaningful funding for basic research.
• Recent contributions include $225 million in 2022, featuring a generous $43 million gift to the Michael J. Fox Foundation.
• In 2021, his donations totaled $233 million, with $101 million directed to the Fox Foundation through the Sergey Brin Family Foundation.
• About two-thirds of the $1.1 billion in donations have been made through gifts of stock or from donor-advised funds.

Age

60 Years

Net Worth (Forbes 2024)

$174.0 billion

Total Philanthropic Donations (as of 2023) 

$22.8 million

Source of Wealth

Amazon

Philanthropic Contributions and Environmental Commitment

• Bezos actively engages in philanthropy through the Bezos Earth Fund.
• In 2023, the fund announced a significant $22.8 million donation for restoration initiatives in Africa.
• This contribution followed a $100 million pledge for Hawaii wildfires relief in mid-August.
• The Hawaii pledge resulted in the establishment of the Maui fund.
• The Bezos Earth Fund has a mission to distribute $10 billion by 2030, focusing on environmental causes.
• A notable grant of $12 million was given to the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in July 2023.

Age

74 Years

Net Worth (Forbes 2024)

$179.3 billion

Total Philanthropic Donations (as of 2023)

$10.7 million (10 million euros)

Source

LVMH (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton)

Philanthropic Contributions

• The Arnault family generously donated 10 million euros ($10.7 million) to Restos du Coeur, aiding a crucial French food bank.
• He pledged $226 million for Notre Dame Cathedral's reconstruction
• Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, he supported French hospitals financially.
• Arnault's $47 million funding facilitated the acquisition of a Gustave Caillebotte painting for France, showcasing their dedication to cultural preservation.
• In 2019, an $11 million contribution addressed Amazon wildfires.

Age

93 Years

Net Worth (Forbes 2024)

$115.6 billion

Total Philanthropic Donations (as of 2023)

$541.5 million

Source of Wealth

Berkshire Hathaway (a publicly traded investment company)

Philanthropic Contributions

• Warren Buffett, with a net worth of $115.6 billion, is the 3rd among the top 10 philanthropists in the world, having given $46.1 billion over his lifetime.
• Focused on health and poverty alleviation, his annual donations of $2-3 billion worth of Berkshire Hathaway stock primarily benefit the Gates Foundation.
• Buffett co-founded The Giving Pledge in 2010, encouraging billionaires to commit to philanthropy.
• Topping the list of philanthropic donors in 2023, his notable contribution included 1.5 million shares, valued at $541.5 million, to the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation.

Age

68 Years

Net Worth (Forbes 2024)

$119.9 billion

Total Philanthropic Donations (as of 2022)

$5 billion

Source of Wealth

Microsoft

Philanthropic Contributions

• Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates, with a combined net worth of $139.4 billion, co-chair the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
• In 2022, Bill Gates made the largest charitable gift of the year, donating $5 billion to the foundation.
• The foundation disbursed $5.8 billion in grants in 2020, particularly for COVID-19 research and vaccines.
• As of 2023, the foundation has pledged $200 million to address maternal and child health during childbirth.
• This commitment was announced during the annual Goalkeepers conference on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly.
• The foundation's pledge involves allocating $100 million each to health products manufacturer Unitaid and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the U.N. agency for reproductive health.

Age

52 Years

Net Worth (Forbes 2024)

$227.8 billion

Total Philanthropic Donations (as of 2022)

$7.6 billion

Source of Wealth

Tesla and SpaceX

Philanthropic Contributions

• Elon Musk, ranked as the number 1 richest individual in the world by Forbes in 2024, has a net worth of $227.8 billion.
• His wealth primarily comes from groundbreaking contributions to Tesla and SpaceX.
• Beyond entrepreneurial success, Musk is a notable philanthropist, contributing Tesla shares valued at $5.7 billion to his Musk Foundation in 2021.
• This propelled the foundation into the ranks of the largest in the United States.
• The Musk Foundation distributed $160 million in donations to nonprofits, showcasing Musk's commitment to positive change.
• In 2022, Musk continued philanthropic endeavors by donating 11.5 million shares of his Tesla stake, valued at $1.9 billion, to an undisclosed charity.