For the second consecutive year, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has secured the top spot on the Chronicle of Philanthropy’s Philanthropy 50 list, which ranks the largest charitable donors in the United States. Bloomberg’s remarkable $3.7 billion contribution in 2024 highlights his unwavering commitment to philanthropy, supporting causes ranging from education and public health to environmental conservation and city governance.
The annual Philanthropy 50 ranking, which marks its 25th anniversary in 2024, collectively saw $16.2 billion in donations from America’s wealthiest individuals. The median donation among these top philanthropists was $100 million, showcasing the extraordinary scale of giving among the nation’s elite. Despite the massive sums, only 19 of the 400 richest Americans on the Forbes list donated enough to qualify for the rankings, raising discussions about the broader participation of the ultra-wealthy in philanthropy
Michael Bloomberg: The Top Philanthropist of 2024
With a career spanning politics, media, and finance, Michael Bloomberg has long been a dominant figure in philanthropy. His $3.7 billion donation in 2024 was distributed across several key areas, including:
- Education: Bloomberg Philanthropies made a landmark $1 billion grant to Johns Hopkins University, his alma mater. This historic donation aims to make medical school tuition-free and provide substantial financial aid for nursing and public health students.
- Public Health: His continued investments in public health initiatives included funding for research in disease prevention, pandemic preparedness, and medical accessibility.
- Environmental Conservation: Bloomberg has been an advocate for combating climate change, directing significant funds toward sustainability projects, clean energy advancements, and policies aimed at reducing carbon emissions.
- Urban Development: As a former mayor, Bloomberg remains dedicated to improving city governance through policy development, infrastructure funding, and innovative urban solutions.
- Arts and Culture: Supporting cultural institutions and artists, Bloomberg’s donations help enrich communities through access to the arts.
Bloomberg’s philosophy on giving is straightforward: he believes in donating wealth during his lifetime rather than posthumously. In an email to the Chronicle of Philanthropy, he stated:
“I’ve never understood people who wait until they die to give away their wealth. Why deny yourself the satisfaction? I’ve been very lucky, and I’m determined to do what I can to open doors for others and to leave a better world for my children and grandchildren.”
Other Billion-Dollar Donors in 2024
In addition to Bloomberg, five other philanthropists donated at least $1 billion in 2024. Their contributions reflect a broad spectrum of charitable interests, from education and medical research to social justice and economic mobility.
1. Reed Hastings and Patty Quillin – $1.1 Billion
- The Netflix co-founder and his wife focused their giving through the Hastings Fund at the Silicon Valley Community Foundation.
- Their donations primarily targeted education reform, racial equity initiatives, and scholarships for underprivileged students.
2. Michael and Susan Dell – $1 Billion
- The Dell Technologies founder and his wife prioritized donations aimed at education, economic mobility, and healthcare advancements.
- Their philanthropy supports scholarships, early childhood development programs, and scientific research.
3. Warren Buffett – $716.1 Million
- The legendary Berkshire Hathaway investor continued his longstanding tradition of major charitable giving.
- His 2024 donation primarily supported the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation, which focuses on reproductive health and educational initiatives.
4. Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan – $1 Billion
- The Meta (Facebook) co-founder and his wife, a physician, directed their donations toward education, medical research, and artificial intelligence for scientific discovery.
- Their Chan Zuckerberg Initiative remains a leading force in funding advancements in health and technology.
5. Ruth Gottesman – $1 Billion
- A retired professor, Gottesman made a historic donation to the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.
- Her $1 billion gift enables the medical school to offer free tuition for all students, a move expected to revolutionize medical education accessibility.
Notable Mid-Tier Philanthropists in 2024
Beyond the billion-dollar club, several lesser-known but highly impactful donors made significant contributions to various causes:
Thomas Golisano – $500 Million
- The Paychex founder donated $500 million, with $400 million given unconditionally to 123 nonprofits in New York and Florida.
- His philanthropy supports organizations assisting individuals with developmental, intellectual, and physical disabilities, a cause close to his heart as his son has a developmental disability.
Hyatt and Cici Brown – $150 Million
- The retired insurance executive and his wife directed their wealth toward the arts, giving $150 million to the Museum of Arts & Sciences in Daytona Beach, Florida.
- The funds will help construct a new museum building and transform the current location into a children’s museum.
Michele Kang – $84 Million
- The businesswoman and venture capitalist donated $84 million to various causes.
- She allocated $4 million to help the USA Women’s Rugby Sevens team prepare for the Olympics.
The Changing Landscape of Philanthropy
While 2024 was a record-breaking year for charitable giving, it also witnessed increased political tensions in philanthropy. Some major donors, such as hedge fund billionaire Bill Ackman, became vocal critics of institutions they had previously supported, citing disagreements over university responses to geopolitical events, DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) policies, and social justice issues.
Other donors have opted to give anonymously or reduce their public engagement due to concerns about backlash. Renee Kaplan, CEO of the donor advisory firm Forward Global, noted a trend where philanthropists are:
- Increasingly avoiding public scrutiny by making anonymous contributions.
- Forming donor collaboratives to pool resources while shielding themselves from controversy.
K. Lisa Yang – $74.5 Million
- A retired investment banker, Yang gave $74.5 million in 2024, focusing on Cornell University and MIT.
- Her philanthropy largely supports research and programs for individuals with disabilities and autism-spectrum disorders.
- She remarked: “When you have a rare disease and they do politics, to the people who are suffering from the disorder, it is totally irrelevant. They’re still suffering.”
Philanthropy Over 25 Years: Who Gave the Most?
With 2024 marking the 25th anniversary of the Philanthropy 50 list, historical data reveals the top lifetime donors:
- Warren Buffett – $49.4 Billion
- Bill & Melinda Gates – $34 Billion
- Michael Bloomberg – $17.4 Billion
- Jeff Bezos – $12.7 Billion
- Elon Musk – $11 Billion
The largest single gift in history remains Buffett’s 2006 pledge to the Gates Foundation, then valued at $36.1 billion.
The Power of Giving
The 2024 Philanthropy 50 list highlights the incredible impact of America’s wealthiest individuals in driving change across sectors. From education and healthcare to social justice and environmental sustainability, these donations shape the future and redefine the role of wealth in society. As philanthropy evolves, trends suggest a growing emphasis on strategic giving, accountability, and balancing public perception with impactful work.
