Giving Pledge
Coverage of Giving Pledge in the Nexus archive.
- Most billionaires are stuck in ‘slow philanthropy.’ MacKenzie Scott gave away $26 billion and won’t stop until ‘the safe is empty’
MacKenzie Scott has donated over $26 billion in philanthropy within a few years, contrasting with the 'slow philanthropy' pattern of most billionaires who give only 1.2% annually. Research by Bridgespan Group and criticism from entities like the Institute for Policy Studies highlight the gap between wealthy individuals' charitable pledges and actual giving. Melinda French Gates praised Scott's rapid and impactful approach.
- George Soros never signed the Giving Pledge. He’s given away more of his fortune than the billionaires who did
George Soros has given away 76% of his net worth through his foundations without signing the Giving Pledge, surpassing the giving rates of many signatories. A 2025 report found most original Giving Pledge signatories have not given away half their wealth, with critics like Melinda French Gates highlighting insufficient donations.
- Warren Buffett says his $147 billion investing career was an accident: ‘I may be one of the 10 luckiest in the world’
Warren Buffett attributes his $147 billion investing career to luck and structural advantages, including his U.S. birth and early exposure to the stock market through his father. He also announced a shift in philanthropy, ending a $47 billion partnership with the Gates Foundation in favor of family-associated charities.
- Warren Buffett drops Gates Foundation from his annual donations
Warren Buffett redirected his annual $6 billion donation from the Gates Foundation to his family foundations this year, citing an ongoing review into the foundation's ties with Jeffrey Epstein. Buffett, who previously co-founded The Giving Pledge with Bill Gates and his wife Melinda, has stopped speaking to Gates over the Epstein scandal.
- Philanthropy leader at Warren Buffett and Bill Gates’ Giving Pledge says children of billionaires are pushing them to give their wealth away faster
Children of billionaires are urging their parents to distribute wealth faster through philanthropy, as younger generations push for quicker and more impactful giving. The Milken Institute report highlights this shift, noting increased scrutiny of wealth inequality and a generational push to accelerate charitable commitments like the Giving Pledge.
- Melinda French Gates’ advice to new IPO millionaires: ‘Give half your money away’
Melinda French Gates advises new IPO millionaires to give half their wealth to philanthropy, emphasizing the Giving Pledge initiative. She highlights her focus on women’s health and critiques flashy displays of wealth, citing examples like MacKenzie Scott and Alice Walton.
- Stephen Schwarzman’s grandfather inspired the Blackstone billionaire’s philanthropy: It was ‘his privilege to help others in need’
Stephen Schwarzman's philanthropy, inspired by his grandfather's charitable acts and father's support for immigrants, includes over $1 billion in donations to education and AI initiatives. His foundation funds institutions like MIT, Oxford, and Yale, while his Giving Pledge commitment aligns with other billionaires like Warren Buffett and Mark Zuckerberg.