This is SANDBOX. For experimenting and training.
The Chronicle of Philanthropy logo

Major-Gift Fundraising

How Much U.S. Giving Pledge Members Donate to Their Foundations

June 4, 2019 | Read Time: 31 minutes

How Giving Pledge members fulfill their promise to give away at least half of their wealth is often a very private matter. Aside from a few announced big gifts, their philanthropy can be a mystery.

Donations to private foundations, however, are recorded in grant-maker tax filings, offering at least a glimpse of the charitable giving of pledge members, and sometimes more. The Chronicle has compiled snapshots of giving by 74 of the 155 U.S. Giving Pledge members to their affiliated private foundations, often entities founded with their families. The data covers 2010 through 2017 and includes giving and grant-making data in those years even for those who signed after the pledge’s 2010 start because many were already conducting significant philanthropy before joining.

For other U.S. pledge members, the Chronicle was either unable to identify foundations affiliated with them or could not determine the donors making contributions.

The data is not a complete accounting of any individual’s philanthropy. Many pledge signatories give in a variety of ways, including through donor-advised funds, limited-liability corporations, family offices, and other entities for which records are not typically available publicly. Also, some philanthropists give directly to charities that aren’t foundations, and those gifts are not necessarily publicly available.


Loading…Your selection returned no resultsShowing 174 of 74 pledge members
Pledge memberYear Signed | Source of Wealth
Estimated Net Worth
Average Annual Contributions
Average Annual Foundation Grants
Latest Foundation Assets
Bill Ackman2012 | Finance $1.1 billion $41,837,991 $29,873,608 $216.6 million

Notes

His foundation giving remained steady despite volatile returns and controversy in his hedge fund. Tax filings list his wife, Karen Herskovitz, as a co-contributor on some donations to the grant maker, but they divorced, and she’s now a Giving Pledge member on her own.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 1 (view profile)

Foundations

Pershing Square Foundation

Average yearly contributions: $47,814,847

Average yearly grants: $29,873,608

Latest Assets: $216,638,298 (2017)

Contributions by year

2010

$16,520,000

2011

$59,000,000

2012

$10,000,000

2013

$10,000,000

2014

$10,084,249

2015

$49,555,000

2016

$151,289,219

2017

$28,255,461

John and Laura Arnold2010 | Finance $3.3 billion $153,285,156 $78,041,760 $1.7 billion

Notes

The couple — who opened their foundation in 2008 and put in $450 million in two years — have not slowed down. They also give significant amounts to political causes and recently announced the creation of a limited-liability corporation to increase that work.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 8 (view profile)

Foundations

Laura and John Arnold Foundation

Average yearly contributions: $153,285,156

Average yearly grants: $78,041,760

Latest Assets: $1,694,280,084 (2016)

Contributions by year

2010

$414,403

2011

$83,603,117

2012

$356,705,513

2013

$233,865,444

2014

$107,352,749

2015

$108,000,000

2016

$183,054,864

2017

$0

Aneel and Allison Bhusri2018 | Technology, Investments $2.4 billion $4,941,186 $1,174,425 $34.5 million

Notes

These financials are from the foundation of the company that Aneel Bhusri co-founded, Workday, which makes business-management technology tools. The foundation launched in 2013; contributions were made by the company.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 0

Foundations

Workday Foundation

Average yearly contributions: $4,941,186

Average yearly grants: $1,174,425

Latest Assets: $34,454,762 (2017)

Contributions by year

2013

$24,105,000

2014

$500,000

2015

$100,000

2016

$928

2017

$0

Sara Blakely2013 | Retail $1.1 billion $1,753,117 $683,620 $24.3 million

Notes

Data is from the foundation for Blakely’s apparel company, Spanx. She personally contributed less than $150,000 from 2011 (the first year data is available) through 2017. When she signed the pledge, she said she was dedicated to growing her business, suggesting significant philanthropy wouldn’t come soon.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 0

Foundations

The Spanx by Sara Blakely Foundation Inc.

Average yearly contributions: $1,753,117

Average yearly grants: $683,620

Latest Assets: $24,307,090 (2017)

Contributions by year

2011

$3,500,000

2012

$4,220,000

2013

$4,000,000

2014

$347,500

2015

$50,000

2016

$57,200

2017

$97,116

Arthur Blank2012 | Retail $4.7 billion $17,177,541 $13,912,126 $67.8 million

Notes

One of the founders of Home Depot and the owner of the Atlanta Falcons, Blank established his foundation in 1995 and has directed more than $360 million toward early-childhood development, education, community work, and other issues, according to the grant maker. Most recently, the foundation committed tens of millions to improve poverty-stricken areas near where he built the new $1.5 billion Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 2 (view profile)

Foundations

Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation

Average yearly contributions: $17,177,541

Average yearly grants: $13,912,126

Latest Assets: $67,793,357 (2017)

Contributions by year

2010

$4,825,463

2011

$6,856,291

2012

$5,360,083

2013

$8,718,923

2014

$14,089,423

2015

$49,457,575

2016

$22,787,488

2017

$25,325,083

Michael Bloomberg2010 | Finance, Media and Entertainment $56 billion $531,737,538 $221,395,883 $8.9 billion

Notes

Bloomberg’s lifetime giving stood at $8 billion after he made a $1.8 billion pledge to Johns Hopkins in 2018, according to representatives of the media mogul and former New York mayor. Including that gift, he’s now given $3.3 billion to his alma mater.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 14 (view profile)

Foundations

Bloomberg Philanthropies

Average yearly contributions: $531,737,538

Average yearly grants: $221,395,883

Latest Assets: $8,931,075,194 (2017)

Contributions by year

2010

$361,517,407

2011

$460,043,993

2012

$991,919,348

2013

$345,835,466

2014

$645,420,052

2015

$629,051,171

2016

$370,112,869

2017

$450,000,000

Eli and Edythe Broad2010 | Real Estate, Finance $6.7 billion $56,910,144 $164,588,296 $3.0 billion

Notes

The Broads control and give to two grant makers: the Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation and the Broad Art Foundation, both of which have operated for decades. They have made a string of nine-figure gifts dating to at least 2005, including several totaling more than $700 million to the Broad Institute, a biomedical research center they launched in 2003.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 14 (view profile)

Foundations

Broad Art Foundation

Average yearly contributions: $17,782,153

Average yearly grants: $15,377,517

Latest Assets: $1,171,142,758 (2017)

Eli & Edythe Broad Foundation

Average yearly contributions: $39,127,991

Average yearly grants: $149,210,779

Latest Assets: $1,844,113,826 (2017)

Contributions by year

2010

$38,552,422

$76,702,500

2011

$10,659,840

$16,380,090

2012

$26,612,646

$73,860,585

2013

$20,077,386

$144,090,423

2014

$28,493,151

$1,990,333

2015

$3,600,000

$0

2016

$7,761,778

$0

2017

$6,500,000

$0

Warren Buffett2010 | Investments $83 billion $2,478,531,942 N/A N/A

Notes

Buffett pledged in 2006 to give away the bulk of his fortune to the Gates Foundation and to the philanthropies of his children — Howard, Peter, and Susan — as well as a family foundation named for his late wife, Susan Thompson Buffett. This 2010-17 giving figure includes donations to their foundations as well as the $15 billion he gave to a trust that funds the Gates Foundation. Berkshire Hathaway last year said Buffett has donated $31 billion toward his pledge.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 2 (view profile)

Foundations

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Trust

Average yearly contributions: $1,937,876,685

Average yearly grants: N/A

Latest Assets: N/A

Howard G. Buffett Foundation

Average yearly contributions: $115,588,815

Average yearly grants: $106,490,970

Latest Assets: $416,030,184 (2017)

NoVo Foundation

Average yearly contributions: $115,588,815

Average yearly grants: $67,610,793

Latest Assets: $651,666,779 (2016)

Sherwood Foundation

Average yearly contributions: $115,588,821

Average yearly grants: $108,544,936

Latest Assets: $376,758,547 (2017)

The Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation

Average yearly contributions: $193,889,807

Average yearly grants: $474,666,781

Latest Assets: $2,668,799,021 (2017)

Contributions by year

2010

$56,167,099

$56,167,099

$56,167,099

$160,478,045

$1,604,577,214

2011

$51,808,325

$51,808,324

$51,808,325

$148,024,267

$1,497,459,448

2012

$53,089,976

$53,089,976

$53,089,976

$151,686,151

$1,515,851,261

2013

$140,551,996

$140,551,996

$140,551,996

$200,789,403

$2,013,559,410

2014

$149,743,329

$149,743,329

$149,743,329

$213,919,908

$2,139,199,080

2015

$150,980,361

$150,980,409

$150,980,361

$215,687,032

$2,154,349,876

2016

$152,903,265

$152,903,265

$152,903,265

$218,438,147

$2,173,415,020

2017

$169,466,169

$169,466,169

$169,466,169

$242,095,500

$2,404,602,169

Steve and Jean Case2010 | Technology $1.3 billion $3,075,000 $1,054,726 $287,302

Notes

The AOL co-founder and his wife have a puzzling philanthropic profile. They record few big public gifts, and their foundation awarded only $8.4 million in grants in 2010-17. Compensation for top executives in 2017 topped grant awards, which totaled $435,200. The Cases told the Chronicle they do charitable work through many different vehicles and have given away $300 million to date.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 0

Foundations

Case Foundation

Average yearly contributions: $3,075,000

Average yearly grants: $1,057,455

Latest Assets: $287,302 (2017)

Contributions by year

2010

$0

2011

$2,000,000

2012

$3,000,000

2013

$4,000,000

2014

$4,000,000

2015

$4,000,000

2016

$4,000,000

2017

$3,600,000

Signe Ostby & Scott Cook2016 | Technology $3.5 billion $9,744,825 $8,725,055 $96.8 million

Notes

The Intuit co-founder and his wife are part of the Audacious Project philanthropic collaboration — along with Bill and Melinda Gates and a handful of other Giving Pledge members — to fund “bold” ideas. In 2015-17, they gave to such organizations as the University of California at San Francisco ($20.5 million), One Acre Fund for African poverty relief ($6.5 million), and the Y ($500,000).

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 0

Foundations

Valhalla Charitable Foundation

Average yearly contributions: $9,744,825

Average yearly grants: $8,725,055

Latest Assets: $96,839,261 (2017)

Contributions by year

2010

$9,457,824

2011

$38,696,732

2012

$14,102,900

2013

$702,684

2014

$0

2015

$78,201

2016

$0

2017

$14,920,255

Lee and Toby Cooperman2010 | Finance $3 billion $17,510,417 $10,483,851 $325.5 million

Notes

The N.Y. investor and hedge-fund manager and his wife give to many organizations in the region. Recent pledges include $20 million to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center and $25 million to the Saint Barnabas Medical Center in New Jersey.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 0

Foundations

Leon and Toby Cooperman Family Foundation

Average yearly contributions: $17,510,417

Average yearly grants: $10,483,851

Latest Assets: $325,489,299 (2017)

Contributions by year

2010

$0

2011

$23,787,072

2012

$14,356,964

2013

$41,503,245

2014

$48,608,150

2015

$159,000

2016

$4,363,000

2017

$7,305,901

Joe and Kelly Craft2012 | Energy < $1 billion $7,490,995 $1,763,684 $66.8 million

Notes

Grants from the foundation of this coal-mining and energy executive go to only a handful of organizations each year. From 2013 through 2017, more than half of the $12 million awarded went to either the U. of Kentucky (his alma mater; $2.9 million) or Alice Lloyd College ($4 million), a low-tuition Kentucky liberal-arts institution for Appalachian residents.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 0

Foundations

Joseph W. Craft III Foundation

Average yearly contributions: $7,490,995

Average yearly grants: $1,763,684

Latest Assets: $66,790,952 (2017)

Contributions by year

2010

$9,579,077

2011

$0

2012

$14,934,636

2013

$10,575,000

2014

$16,200,000

2015

$1,750,000

2016

$3,889,250

2017

$3,000,000

Ray and Barbara Dalio2011 | Finance $18 billion $154,397,643 $63,255,285 $778.4 million

Notes

The hedge-fund titan and his wife donated $1.2 billion to their foundation in 2010-17 — more than 10 times what they gave in the seven years previously. They are one of nine Giving Pledge members to top the billion-dollar mark in foundation giving.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 3

Foundations

Dalio Foundation Inc.

Average yearly contributions: $154,397,643

Average yearly grants: $63,255,285

Latest Assets: $778,414,397 (2017)

Contributions by year

2010

$180,000,000

2011

$100,761,387

2012

$223,059,351

2013

$400,743,000

2014

$71,939,128

2015

$64,106,500

2016

$147,353,320

2017

$47,218,457

John Paul DeJoria2011 | Retail $2.5 billion $3,084,927 $2,156,025 $7.8 million

Notes

The hair-care magnate has described his Peace, Love, and Happiness Foundation as “a hub” of his philanthropy, though its grant making is relatively meagre when compared with that of other Giving Pledge billionaires. Since it launched in 2011, the foundation has given away $15 million. DeJoria told the Chronicle that he donated $50 million to the grant maker in 2018.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 0

Foundations

JP’s Peace Love and Happiness Foundation

Average yearly contributions: $3,084,927

Average yearly grants: $2,156,025

Latest Assets: $7,750,434 (2017)

Contributions by year

2010

$0

2011

$2,000,000

2012

$2,000,000

2013

$13,394,492

2014

$1,050,000

2015

$2,050,000

2016

$0

2017

$1,100,000

Diane von Furstenberg & Barry Diller 2010 | Media and Entertainment, Fashion $3.7 billion $8,583,597 $8,728,348 $59.0 million

Notes

The founder and chairman of internet and media giant IAC and his fashion-designer wife have put up millions for three recent additions to New York’s cultural-recreational scene: the High Line; the Shed, which opened this spring; and Pier 55, a 2.4-acre park with three performing-arts venues, to open in 2021.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 0

Foundations

The Diller-von Furstenberg Family Foundation

Average yearly contributions: $8,583,597

Average yearly grants: $8,728,348

Latest Assets: $59,001,944 (2017)

Contributions by year

2010

$7,470,198

2011

$12,009,873

2012

$42,389,954

2013

$1,685,768

2014

$25

2015

$0

2016

$0

2017

$5,112,956

John and Ann Doerr2010 | Technology, Investments $6.9 billion $6,335,969 $7,467,311 $323.4 million

Notes

The tech venture capitalist and his wife has been involved in philanthropy for years, yet assets in their foundation nearly quadrupled in 2010-17, with grant awards reaching $19 million — the highest level in almost a decade. Big ’17 gifts went to the Alliance for Climate Protection ($5.1 million); the One Campaign and the NewSchools Venture Fund ($3 million each); and the Khan Academy ($2.5 million).

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 0

Foundations

The Benificus Foundation

Average yearly contributions: $6,335,969

Average yearly grants: $7,467,311

Latest Assets: $323,362,332 (2017)

Contributions by year

2010

$5,474,693

2011

$7,035,200

2012

$17,036

2013

$15,221

2014

$20,068,370

2015

$7,003,934

2016

$11,073,300

2017

$0

Dagmar Dolby2017 | Family Wealth, Technology $4.1 billion $10,683,350 $6,798,690 $141.2 million

Notes

These financials are from the family foundation of audio pioneer Ray Dolby, who died in 2013, and his widow, Dagmar. In 2016, she opened the Dagmar Dolby Fund, a charity at the Marin Community Foundation that was initially funded with $69 million from an undisclosed source. The family foundation has received no contributions since 2014.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 0

Foundations

Ray and Dagmar Dolby Family Fund

Average yearly contributions: $10,683,350

Average yearly grants: $6,798,690

Latest Assets: $141,181,895 (2017)

Contributions by year

2010

$18,903,000

2011

$0

2012

$49,563,800

2013

$9,000,000

2014

$8,000,000

2015

$0

2016

$0

2017

$0

Glenn and Eva Dubin2012 | Finance $2 billion $2,667,633 $2,287,783 $61.9 million

Notes

The Dubins typically make a handful of gifts from their foundation each year; big recipients include the Robin Hood Foundation, which he helped launch, and Stony Brook U., his alma mater.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 0

Foundations

G. & E. Dubin Family Foundation

Average yearly contributions: $2,667,633

Average yearly grants: $2,287,783

Latest Assets: $61,921,351 (2016)

Contributions by year

2010

$5,584,352

2011

$0

2012

$5,756,715

2013

$0

2014

$10,000,000

2015

$0

2016

$0

2017

$0

Larry Ellison2010 | Technology $63 billion $36,372,659 $39,541,251 $10.7 million

Notes

Ellison has landed on the Chronicle’s annual list of the 50 top donors 15 times, beginning in 2000, with total giving in those years of slightly more than $1 billion. The co-founder of Oracle has pledged to give away 95 percent of his wealth.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 15 (view profile)

Foundations

Lawrence Ellison Foundation

Average yearly contributions: $36,372,659

Average yearly grants: $39,541,251

Latest Assets: $10,697,309 (2017)

Contributions by year

2010

$9,001,725

2011

$50,197,550

2012

$45,632,000

2013

$72,200,000

2014

$0

2015

$49,500,000

2016

$59,450,000

2017

$5,000,000

Charlie and Candy Ergen2018 | Telecommunications $9.6 billion $24,991,384 $1,354,984 $184.8 million

Notes

These newcomers to the pledge are among the group’s wealthiest. The couple started their foundation in 2005 but put in only a few million before 2015, when they contributed nearly $200 million. Grant making, which is growing quickly, hit nearly $9 million in 2017.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 0

Foundations

The Telluray Foundation

Average yearly contributions: $24,991,384

Average yearly grants: $1,354,984

Latest Assets: $184,784,806 (2017)

Contributions by year

2010

$0

2011

$0

2012

$0

2013

$0

2014

$0

2015

$199,931,070

2016

$0

2017

$0

Phillip and Patricia Frost2011 | Pharmaceuticals $2 billion $5,516,596 $3,106,574 $28.1 million

Notes

In 2016, the couple pledged $100 million to the U. of Miami basic and applied sciences and engineering programs. A 2011 gift of $35 million earned them naming rights for the Frost Museum of Science in Miami but also put them at the center of controversy when the project fell short of fundraising goals before opening in 2017.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 3 (view profile)

Foundations

Phillip and Patricia Frost Philanthropic Foundation

Average yearly contributions: $5,516,596

Average yearly grants: $3,106,574

Latest Assets: $28,126,475 (2017)

Contributions by year

2010

$0

2011

$0

2012

$14,644,911

2013

$14,993,000

2014

$12,270,520

2015

$724,334

2016

$0

2017

$1,500,000

Mario and Regina Gabelli2017 | Finance, Investments $1.7 billion $3,971,842 $2,858,635 $89.4 million

Notes

Their foundation’s assets and grant making doubled in 2010-17. Bronx born to Italian immigrants, Gabelli has made his biggest public gifts to his alma maters: Fordham ($25 million in 2010) and Columbia Business School ($15 million in 2013). In 2017, at least half of his foundation’s grants went to schools or colleges.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 0

Foundations

Gabelli Foundation, Inc.

Average yearly contributions: $3,971,842

Average yearly grants: $2,858,635

Latest Assets: $89,413,080 (2017)

Contributions by year

2010

$54,221

2011

$5,433,475

2012

$980,245

2013

$8,114,546

2014

$8,408,560

2015

$6,772,691

2016

$1,861,974

2017

$149,024

Bill and Melinda Gates2010 | Technology $97 billion $4,361,326,717 $4,087,723,409 $51.8 billion

Notes

Their personal giving to the foundation in 2010-17 amounts to $7.1 billion, according to estimates the Gateses report to the Chronicle annually. Despite the highest annual grant making among Giving Pledge members, their foundation’s assets still stand at almost fivefold more than the nearly $9 billion in Michael Bloomberg’s foundation, which is the second largest among pledge members.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 10 (view profile)

Foundations

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

Average yearly contributions: $4,361,326,717

Average yearly grants: $4,087,723,409

Latest Assets: $51,830,224,097 (2017)

Contributions by year

2010

$0

2011

$0

2012

$0

2013

$0

2014

$1,900,000,000

2015

$272,000,000

2016

$141,400,000

2017

$4,800,000,000

Diane Troderman & Harold Grinspoon2014 | Real Estate < $1 billion $1,354,258 $793,354 $11.7 million

Notes

Grinspoon’s foundation is focused largely on Jewish life and community. It also runs a number of programs for the couple’s Western Massachusetts region, including awards programs that back dozens of local teachers, farmers, and entrepreneurs.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 0

Foundations

Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation

Average yearly contributions: $1,354,258

Average yearly grants: $793,354

Latest Assets: $11,692,858 (2017)

Contributions by year

2010

$3,342,456

2011

$272,553

2012

$788,784

2013

$955,272

2014

$1,150,000

2015

$1,200,000

2016

$1,750,000

2017

$1,375,000

Harold Hamm2011 | Energy $13 billion $1,422,534 $1,572,878 $26.8 million

Notes

Hamm joined the pledge with his wife, Sue Ann Arnall, but they divorced and she now has signed on her own. The figures here represent his giving to their joint foundation and to his own foundation, which he established in 2012. He recently committed $34 million to the diabetes center at the U. of Oklahoma, the latest in a string of gifts aimed at finding a cure for the disease, from which he suffers.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 0

Foundations

Harold G. and Sue Ann Hamm Foundation

Average yearly contributions: $1,075,000

Average yearly grants: $1,960,225

Latest Assets: $126 (2013)

Harold Hamm Foundation

Average yearly contributions: $1,416,054

Average yearly grants: $948,426

Latest Assets: $26,833,118 (2017)

Contributions by year

2010

$2,000,000

2011

$1,300,000

2012

$1,000,000

2013

$5,000

$0

2014

$1,151,503

2015

$1,299,369

2016

$1,301,851

2017

$3,322,549

Nick and Leslie Hanauer2017 | Technology, Investments < $1 billion $2,072,621 $1,977,051 $16.5 million

Notes

In the past five years, the Seattle-area venture capitalist and his wife gave away about $5 million through their foundation to the Seattle Academy, a private school where they have children enrolled. That’s more than 40 percent of their grant making during that time. The Hanauers told the Chronicle they channel only a small portion of their giving through their foundation and estimate that they have donated $80 million over the past decade, often toward policy and political causes such as gun control and raising the minimum wage.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 0

Foundations

The Nick and Leslie Hanauer Foundation

Average yearly contributions: $2,072,621

Average yearly grants: $1,977,051

Latest Assets: $16,455,124 (2017)

Contributions by year

2010

$1,989,706

2011

$1,088,420

2012

$0

2013

$13,452,345

2014

$500

2015

$50,000

2016

$0

2017

$0

Lyda Hill2010 | Family Wealth, Investments < $1 billion $59,387 $669,307 $11.2 million

Notes

While her foundation is relatively quiet, the entrepreneur and granddaughter of oil executive H.L. Hunt appears to be moving cash in other ways. Big gifts have included $50 million to the U. of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and $25 million to the U. of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 1 (view profile)

Foundations

Lyda Hill Foundation

Average yearly contributions: $59,387

Average yearly grants: $669,307

Latest Assets: $11,242,632 (2017)

Contributions by year

2010

$0

2011

$75,093

2012

$0

2013

$0

2014

$400,000

2015

$0

2016

$0

2017

$0

Barron Hilton2010 | Hotels and Casinos < $1 billion $35,098,537 $95,454,112 $2.7 billion

Notes

The hotel magnate put $246 million in the Conrad Hilton Foundation, his father’s grant maker, in 2010-16; the foundation doled out $670 million in grants. Hilton’s wealth, which Forbes estimated at $2.5 billion when he signed the pledge, has declined by more than half.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 1 (view profile)

Foundations

Conrad N. Hilton Foundation

Average yearly contributions: $35,098,537

Average yearly grants: $95,454,112

Latest Assets: $2,692,285,541 (2016)

Contributions by year

2010

$3,821,456

2011

$10,074,121

2012

$14,654,129

2013

$51,543,239

2014

$53,311,035

2015

$96,482,572

2016

$15,803,205

2017

$0

Carl Icahn2010 | Investments $17 billion $4,500 $736,438 $26.8 million

Notes

The Wall Street icon doesn’t appear to use this foundation for much of his philanthropy. He has made only one sizable contribution to it since 1997 — a $2.1 million gift in 2007. In 2012, he pledged $200 million to the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, which was renamed in his honor, and he supports a string of New York charter schools through the Foundation for a Greater Opportunity.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 1

Foundations

The Carl C. Icahn Foundation

Average yearly contributions: $4,500

Average yearly grants: $736,438

Latest Assets: $26,762,739 (2017)

Contributions by year

2010

$0

2011

$1,000

2012

$0

2013

$35,000

2014

$0

2015

$0

2016

$0

2017

$0

John “Jay” Jordan2015 | Finance < $1 billion $840,093 $739,454 $18,963

Notes

The foundation of this Chicago business executive and investor supports programs that encourage participation in sports by disadvantaged children. He’s most known for his giving to Notre Dame, his alma mater, to which he’s donated at least $150 million.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 2 (view profile)

Foundations

The Jordan Family Sports Foundation

Average yearly contributions: $840,093

Average yearly grants: $739,454

Latest Assets: $18,963 (2017)

Contributions by year

2010

$570,000

2011

$697,500

2012

$645,000

2013

$663,000

2014

$725,000

2015

$295,000

2016

$2,228,750

2017

$896,495

Brad and Kim Keywell2015 | Technology < $1 billion $2,161,825 $568,240 $14.8 million

Notes

The couple opened their foundation in 2010 with a $100,000 gift. Their total grant making to date: $4.5 million. A tech entrepreneur who co-founded Groupon, Brad Keywell launched Chicago Ideas in 2011, a nonprofit that aims to spread innovation and entrepreneurship.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 0

Foundations

The Keywell Foundation

Average yearly contributions: $2,161,825

Average yearly grants: $568,240

Latest Assets: $14,812,786 (2017)

Contributions by year

2010

$100,000

2011

$0

2012

$0

2013

$8,055,000

2014

$5,338,800

2015

$0

2016

$695,800

2017

$3,105,000

Sidney Kimmel2010 | Retail $1.3 billion $9,832,752 $7,856,928 $35.6 million

Notes

Kimmel pledged $110 million to the medical college at Philadelphia’s Thomas Jefferson U. in 2014. Several cancer centers nationwide bear his name thanks to multimillion-dollar gifts.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 4 (view profile)

Foundations

Sidney Kimmel Foundation

Average yearly contributions: $9,832,752

Average yearly grants: $7,503,346

Latest Assets: $35,563,834 (2017)

Contributions by year

2010

$3,189,953

2011

$3,415,000

2012

$12,664,572

2013

$9,802,368

2014

$5,025,095

2015

$8,939,731

2016

$7,162,652

2017

$28,462,642

Rich and Nancy Kinder2011 | Energy $6.6 billion $35,562,981 $28,553,440 $176.3 million

Notes

Their foundation assets have nearly tripled since 2010, and annual grant making typically tops $30 million, up from $8 million when the pledge began. They back many groups in their hometown of Houston: The Museum of Fine Arts and the Memorial Park Conservancy received gifts of $75 million and $70 million, respectively.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 2 (view profile)

Foundations

Kinder Foundation

Average yearly contributions: $35,562,981

Average yearly grants: $23,507,968

Latest Assets: $176,333,625 (2017)

Contributions by year

2010

$25,460,716

2011

$25,124,758

2012

$20,000,000

2013

$69,816,443

2014

$40,022,924

2015

$30,000,000

2016

$44,054,710

2017

$30,024,300

Seth and Beth Klarman2013 | Finance $1.5 billion $88,384,375 $36,697,089 $805.8 million

Notes

The Boston hedge-fund founder and his wife are relatively unknown major philanthropists; they have put $707 million into their foundation since 2010.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 0

Foundations

Klarman Family Foundation

Average yearly contributions: $88,384,375

Average yearly grants: $36,697,089

Latest Assets: $805,833,899 (2017)

Contributions by year

2010

$105,000,000

2011

$50,000,000

2012

$60,000,000

2013

$125,000,000

2014

$130,000,000

2015

$55,000,000

2016

$91,875,000

2017

$90,200,000

Robert and Arlene Kogod2016 | Real Estate < $1 billion $1,649,758 $6,984,401 $886,441

Notes

In recent years, the Kogods have steadily increased their grant making, drawing down their foundation’s asset value, which stood at $33 million in 2010. In 2017, they made more than $10 million in grants, the most since the foundation opened in 1998.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 1 (view profile)

Foundations

The Robert P. and Arlene R. Kogod Family Foundation

Average yearly contributions: $1,649,758

Average yearly grants: $6,984,401

Latest Assets: $886,441 (2017)

Contributions by year

2010

$500,000

2011

$1,500,000

2012

$2,500,000

2013

$1,500,000

2014

$2,757,031

2015

$1,000,000

2016

$1,441,030

2017

$2,000,000

Eric and Liz Lefkofsky2013 | Technology $2.5 billion $12,377,237 $4,895,409 $61.3 million

Notes

The Groupon co-founder and his wife are relative newcomers to grant making; their family foundation launched in 2006 and had just $1 million in assets in 2010. It focuses on education, human rights, civic causes, and medical discoveries. Liz’s mother founded the American Brain Tumor Association, and Eric is now CEO of a startup specializing in data-driven tech medicine.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 0

Foundations

The Lefkofsky Family Foundation

Average yearly contributions: $12,377,237

Average yearly grants: $4,895,409

Latest Assets: $61,314,584 (2017)

Contributions by year

2010

$1,595,000

2011

$4,972,000

2012

$15,929,220

2013

$0

2014

$13,276,675

2015

$14,185,000

2016

$16,395,000

2017

$32,665,000

Mellody Hobson & George Lucas2010 | Media and Entertainment $5.4 billion $141,402,084 $46,559,162 $1.1 billion

Notes

Gifts in 2010-12 to their family foundation came from LucasFilm. In 2012, the year the filmmaker sold the company to Disney for $4 billion, he put more than $1 billion into the foundation. Lucas also operates the George Lucas Educational Foundation, which has received more than $50 million in contributions since 2010, most of it from an unnamed Schwab donor-advised account.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 0

Foundations

George Lucas Family Foundation

Average yearly contributions: $141,402,084

Average yearly grants: $46,559,162

Latest Assets: $1,119,300,147 (2017)

Contributions by year

2010

$25,000

2011

$55,000,000

2012

$1,076,191,669

2013

$0

2014

$0

2015

$0

2016

$0

2017

$0

Duncan and Nancy MacMillan2010 | Finance, Media and Entertainment $1.1 billion $19,359,599 $4,765,240 $211.5 million

Notes

Assets for their family foundation, which opened in 2002, are at an all-time high — more than four times what they were in 2010. Grant making slipped in 2016 and 2017 to about $1 million each year. Duncan, along with fellow pledge members Michael Bloomberg, Thomas Secunda, and Charles Zegar, is a co-founder of Bloomberg’s financial-information company.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 0

Foundations

The MacMillan Family Foundation, Inc.

Average yearly contributions: $19,359,599

Average yearly grants: $4,765,240

Latest Assets: $211,484,216 (2017)

Contributions by year

2010

$0

2011

$0

2012

$35,316,792

2013

$20,000,000

2014

$15,890,033

2015

$19,159,935

2016

$34,391,847

2017

$30,118,185

Joe and Rika Mansueto2010 | Finance, Media and Entertainment $3.3 billion $3,405,572 $944,552 $25.9 million

Notes

The founder of the Morningstar financial-information services company and his wife opened their foundation in 2010. Their grant making focuses almost exclusively on the Chicago area, where they live, and they have committed at least $61 million to the U. of Chicago, Joe’s alma mater, since 2008.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 1 (view profile)

Foundations

Mansueto Foundation

Average yearly contributions: $3,405,572

Average yearly grants: $944,552

Latest Assets: $25,857,010 (2017)

Contributions by year

2010

$1,048,012

2011

$0

2012

$988,330

2013

$4,975,419

2014

$5,142,535

2015

$5,072,325

2016

$5,012,047

2017

$5,005,909

Richard and Nancy Marriott2013 | Hotels and Casinos < $1 billion $1,819,401 $1,471,598 $68.0 million

Notes

Grant making from the foundation of the hotel scion and his wife has held steady at about $1 million or $2 million a year since 2010, even as assets soared from $31 million to $68 million.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 0

Foundations

Richard E. & Nancy P. Marriott Foundation, Inc.

Average yearly contributions: $1,819,401

Average yearly grants: $1,471,598

Latest Assets: $67,970,818 (2017)

Contributions by year

2010

$0

2011

$0

2012

$0

2013

$0

2014

$1,990,088

2015

$2,676,294

2016

$1,812,325

2017

$8,076,500

Craig and Susan McCaw2013 | Telecommunications $1.8 billion $3,217,320 $5,476,182 $46.6 million

Notes

Craig McCaw made his fortune in 1994 when he and his brothers sold a family cable company to AT&T for more than $12 billion. He and his wife have made about $95 million in grants through their foundation since 2000.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 0

Foundations

The Craig and Susan McCaw Foundation

Average yearly contributions: $3,217,320

Average yearly grants: $5,476,182

Latest Assets: $46,554,563 (2017)

Contributions by year

2010

$0

2011

$0

2012

$7,852,325

2013

$11,983,314

2014

$1,510,268

2015

$4,392,649

2016

$0

2017

$0

Red and Charline McCombs2012 | Media and Entertainment $1.5 billion $0 $4,549,652 $41.3 million

Notes

The Texas business titan, who’s in his 90s, and his wife haven’t put money into their foundation since 2007. Assets have fallen from as high as $154 million in 2006. In 2017, the couple made more than 150 grants, ranging from $150 to $400,000 and mostly earmarked for Texas organizations.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 1 (view profile)

Foundations

McCombs Foundation Inc.

Average yearly contributions: N/A

Average yearly grants: $4,549,652

Latest Assets: $41,341,709 (2017)

Contributions by year

2010

$0

2011

$0

2012

$0

2013

$0

2014

$0

2015

$0

2016

$0

2017

$0

Michael and Lori Milken2010 | Finance $3.6 billion $8,098,245 $13,502,420 $116.5 million

Notes

These figures are drawn from tax filings for the foundation that the former junk-bond king opened with his brother, Lowell, in 1982. In 2017, more than $24 million of its $32 million in grants went to the Milken Institute, a think tank founded by Michael Milken. The grant maker also backs his Prostate Cancer Foundation. Michael and Lori Milken opened their own foundation in 2018; data is not yet available.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 0

Foundations

Milken Family Foundation

Average yearly contributions: $8,098,245

Average yearly grants: $13,502,420

Latest Assets: $116,508,612 (2017)

Contributions by year

2010

$25,000

2011

$25,410,463

2012

$0

2013

$39,350,500

2014

$0

2015

$0

2016

$0

2017

$0

Thomas Monaghan2010 | Food And Beverage < $1 billion $888,669 $389,514 $5.3 million

Notes

Created in the mid-1980s, the Ave Maria Foundation of the Domino’s king is a shell of its former self. Its assets have drifted steadily downward since at least 1998, when they stood at $250 million and spun off $18 million in grants, many of them supporting Catholic churches, schools, and other organizations.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 2 (view profile)

Foundations

Ave Maria Foundation

Average yearly contributions: $888,669

Average yearly grants: $389,514

Latest Assets: $5,308,622 (2017)

Contributions by year

2010

$59,396

2011

$2,860

2012

$0

2013

$3,200,000

2014

$381,480

2015

$535,000

2016

$2,915,616

2017

$15,000

Gordon and Betty Moore2012 | Technology $9.7 billion $0 $252,236,724 $6.9 billion

Notes

They operate two foundations: a family foundation, with assets of about $55 million, and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, which is among the largest in the country. In the early 2000s, the Intel co-founder and his wife endowed their foundation with $5 billion in stock. They haven’t added to it since at least 2005.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 4 (view profile)

Foundations

Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation

Average yearly contributions: N/A

Average yearly grants: $250,362,253

Latest Assets: $6,860,248,366 (2017)

Moore Family Foundation

Average yearly contributions: N/A

Average yearly grants: $1,874,472

Latest Assets: $55,277,777 (2017)

Contributions by year

2010

$0

$0

2011

$0

$0

2012

$0

$0

2013

$0

$0

2014

$0

$0

2015

$0

$0

2016

$0

$0

2017

$0

$0

Harriet Heyman & Michael Moritz2012 | Finance $3.3 billion $78,289,990 $25,843,015 $1.4 billion

Notes

Their nearly 20-year-old philanthropy tripled in size in 2010-17, as the couple put in more than $600 million. It’s now one of 11 among Giving Pledge members with assets of more than $1 billion. The tech venture capitalist has donated more than $160 million to Oxford, his alma mater; the foundation awards dozens of grants annually ranging from a few hundred dollars to millions.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 3 (view profile)

Foundations

Crankstart Foundation

Average yearly contributions: $78,289,990

Average yearly grants: $25,843,015

Latest Assets: $1,354,894,552 (2017)

Contributions by year

2010

$241,592,734

2011

$50,646,891

2012

$59,772,702

2013

$415,700

2014

$0

2015

$115,097,313

2016

$150,626,349

2017

$8,168,227

Cari Tuna & Dustin Moskovitz2010 | Technology $11 billion $202,278,342 $21,769,250 $1.0 billion

Notes

Their philanthropy opened in 2012, and the Facebook co-founder and his wife have donated $1 billion since. They make grants focused on effectiveness and maximum impact; big grant recipients in 2017 included the Against Malaria Foundation ($15 million) and the Schistosomiasis Control Initiative ($13.5 million). The couple also reported to the Chronicle some major giving conducted through their donor-advised fund, including $54 million more to the Against Malaria Foundation in 2016 and 2017 and $25 million to GiveDirectly in 2015.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 0

Foundations

Good Ventures Foundation

Average yearly contributions: $202,278,342

Average yearly grants: $21,769,250

Latest Assets: $1,015,473,001 (2017)

Contributions by year

2013

$28,599,982

2014

$224,686,989

2015

$226,124,175

2016

$252,806,176

2017

$279,174,388

Elon Musk2012 | Technology $22 billion $32,220,500 $6,563,756 $362.9 million

Notes

Though he started his foundation in 2002, the Tesla founder didn’t add a significant sum to it — $255 million — until 2016. Grant making shot up from a few thousand in 2016 to $48 million in 2017, though $38 million went to Vanguard Charitable, presumably to a donor-advised fund.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 0

Foundations

Musk Foundation

Average yearly contributions: $32,220,500

Average yearly grants: $6,563,756

Latest Assets: $362,932,713 (2017)

Contributions by year

2010

$0

2011

$0

2012

$600,000

2013

$650,000

2014

$1,300,000

2015

$600,000

2016

$254,614,000

2017

$0

Jonathan Nelson2012 | Finance $1.8 billion $2,600,137 $3,328,375 $59.9 million

Notes

Nearly three-quarters of the $27 million in grants awarded by his foundation in 2010-17 went to Brown U., where he graduated in 1977. Much of the money was earmarked for two new capital projects: the Jonathan M. Nelson Fitness Center and the Jonathan M. Nelson Center for Entrepreneurship.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 0

Foundations

Jonathan M. Nelson Foundation

Average yearly contributions: $2,600,137

Average yearly grants: $3,328,375

Latest Assets: $59,911,857 (2017)

Contributions by year

2010

$0

2011

$0

2012

$0

2013

$11,516,984

2014

$6,997,962

2015

$0

2016

$2,286,150

2017

$0

Pierre and Pam Omidyar2010 | Technology $11 billion $110,306,896 $76,927,377 $622.7 million

Notes

The giving total includes contributions made to the couple’s three grant-making hubs — the Omidyar Network as well as Humanity United and Hopelab. They say they have committed nearly $1.5 billion to philanthropy through the network alone, though almost $700 million of that went to for-profit social enterprises through a limited-liability corporation.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 15 (view profile)

Foundations

HopeLab Foundation

Average yearly contributions: $7,672,257

Average yearly grants: $553,381

Latest Assets: $20,179,101 (2017)

Humanity United

Average yearly contributions: $34,783,604

Average yearly grants: $25,998,270

Latest Assets: $57,346,241 (2017)

Omidyar Network Fund

Average yearly contributions: $67,851,035

Average yearly grants: $50,375,726

Latest Assets: $545,202,008 (2017)

Contributions by year

2010

$14,343,450

$19,136,250

$5,741,870

2011

$29,074,725

$37,448,322

$2,814,920

2012

$1,635,000

$7,848,000

$4,941,594

2013

$14,904,785

$50,315,349

$78,654,020

2014

$4,553,307

$61,823,205

$38,054,713

2015

$7,261,962

$34,116,100

$184,697,970

2016

$12,933,728

$41,372,885

$52,547,469

2017

$11,532,483

$39,375,120

$127,327,940

Bob and Renee Parsons2013 | Technology $2.5 billion $19,215,260 $20,164,180 $21.3 million

Notes

The founder of the GoDaddy web-hosting company and his wife opened their foundation in 2011 and invested $135 million in it over the next six years, mostly supporting organizations in the Phoenix area, where they live. In the past three years, they’ve given nearly $26 million to Semper Fi Fund; Bob Parsons is a former Marine.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 1 (view profile)

Foundations

The Bob and Renee Parsons Foundation

Average yearly contributions: $19,215,260

Average yearly grants: $20,164,180

Latest Assets: $21,250,861 (2017)

Contributions by year

2011

$0

2012

$11,165,131

2013

$13,336,885

2014

$38,348,860

2015

$32,036,334

2016

$16,639,390

2017

$22,980,223

Ronald Perelman2010 | Finance $9.4 billion $10,334,951 $10,169,217 $1.5 million

Notes

MacAndrews & Forbes, Perelman’s holding company, made the contributions to his foundation. Money is distributed in grants about as fast as it comes into the foundation so the value of assets changes relatively little year to year. His big gifts include a $75 million commitment to a performing-arts venue at the World Trade Center.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 6 (view profile)

Foundations

Perelman Family Foundation

Average yearly contributions: $10,334,951

Average yearly grants: $10,169,217

Latest Assets: $1,509,970 (2017)

Contributions by year

2010

$11,442,967

2011

$10,258,859

2012

$10,451,967

2013

$9,043,500

2014

$10,312,492

2015

$10,947,773

2016

$10,710,061

2017

$9,511,992

T. Boone Pickens2010 | Energy, Investments < $1 billion $411,708 $741,096 $3.8 million

Notes

The flamboyant oil tycoon did a lot of news-making philanthropy in the mid-2000s, including gifts of hundreds of millions to Oklahoma State U., his alma mater. He’s made a couple of multimillion commitments more recently, including a 2013 pledge of $20 million to the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins, but he doesn’t appear to be using his foundation to fulfill those. The Texas oilman said in 2017 that his foundation, created in 2006, had given away more than $1 billion to worthy causes, but tax filings indicate it has made only $335 million in grants.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 5 (view profile)

Foundations

Pickens Abraham Foundation

Average yearly contributions: $25,669

Average yearly grants: $162,500

Latest Assets: $3,416,202 (2017)

T. Boone Pickens Foundation

Average yearly contributions: $386,039

Average yearly grants: $578,595

Latest Assets: $377,123 (2017)

Contributions by year

2010

$4,430

$54,500

2011

$110,000

$44,500

2012

$1,445,000

$54,750

2013

$1,500,000

$51,600

2014

$7,860

$0

2015

$11,420

$0

2016

$0

$0

2017

$9,600

$0

Ernest and Evelyn Rady2018 | Real Estate < $1 billion $5,815,554 $2,216,686 $52.2 million

Notes

Their foundation has grown from just $4 million in assets in 2010. The couple’s recent big gifts include $50 million to the Salvation Army and $100 million to the U. of California at San Diego. The couple also have a Goldman Sachs donor-advised fund.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 5 (view profile)

Foundations

Rady Family Foundation

Average yearly contributions: $5,815,554

Average yearly grants: $2,216,686

Latest Assets: $52,151,211 (2017)

Contributions by year

2010

$170,000

2011

$3,000,000

2012

$1,920,000

2013

$3,400,000

2014

$6,020,568

2015

$8,500,032

2016

$13,383,030

2017

$10,130,800

Julian Robertson Jr.2010 | Finance $4.3 billion $26,357,579 $103,071,082 $579.8 million

Notes

In addition to the $211 million that Robertson donated to his foundation in 2010-17, he gave $37 million to the Tiger Foundation, the grant-making arm of his hedge fund. His own foundation awarded at least $100 million in grants each of the past six years, with assets falling from their 2009 high of $971 million.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 6 (view profile)

Foundations

Robertson Foundation

Average yearly contributions: $26,357,579

Average yearly grants: $103,071,082

Latest Assets: $579,797,047 (2017)

Contributions by year

2010

$0

2011

$0

2012

$0

2013

$0

2014

$50,834,033

2015

$75,026,595

2016

$25,000,000

2017

$60,000,000

Stephen Ross2013 | Real Estate $7.6 billion $7,033,333 $6,700,667 $999,245

Notes

Ross appears to do significant giving outside of his foundation, which he opened in 2015; the U. of Michigan, his alma mater, reported in 2017 that he had given $378 million to the university in his lifetime.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 3 (view profile)

Foundations

Stephen M. Ross Foundation

Average yearly contributions: $7,033,333

Average yearly grants: $6,700,667

Latest Assets: $999,245 (2016)

Contributions by year

2015

$1,000,000

2016

$7,500,000

2017

$12,600,000

John and Ginger Sall2012 | Technology $4.4 billion $11,414,462 $9,646,406 $41.6 million

Notes

Their annual grant making more than doubled in 2010-17, to nearly $16 million. Long concerned with environmental issues, they gave $7.6 million to the World Wildlife Fund in the past two years and another $3.4 million to the Nature Conservancy. The biggest grant recipient in 2017: CARE, which got nearly $6 million. John Sall is the co-founder of the SAS Institute, which makes statistical-analysis software.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 0

Foundations

Sall Family Foundation Inc.

Average yearly contributions: $11,414,462

Average yearly grants: $9,646,406

Latest Assets: $41,566,815 (2017)

Contributions by year

2010

$6,500,000

2011

$7,000,000

2012

$15,000,000

2013

$700,000

2014

$11,858,592

2015

$11,526,676

2016

$21,840,644

2017

$16,889,785

Denny Sanford2010 | Finance $2.6 billion $7,843,750 $1,762,882 $63.4 million

Notes

The South Dakota banker has appeared nine times on the Chronicle’s annual list of the top 50 philanthropists. He has pledged to “die broke,” and he’s credited with giving some $1 billion to Sanford Health, a rural nonprofit health system.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 9 (view profile)

Foundations

Denny Sanford Foundation

Average yearly contributions: $7,843,750

Average yearly grants: $1,762,882

Latest Assets: $63,431,996 (2017)

Contributions by year

2010

$0

2011

$0

2012

$0

2013

$0

2014

$0

2015

$62,750,000

2016

$0

2017

$0

Tom and Cindy Secunda2010 | Finance, Media and Entertainment $2.8 billion $12,674,775 $3,594,586 $153.7 million

Notes

Their foundation, which was established in 2006, typically distributes many five- and six-figure gifts to myriad Jewish causes and New York-area conservation and cultural organizations. Its two seven-figure grants in 2017: $1 million each to the Fund for the City of New York and to a proposed performing-arts venue at the World Trade Center.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 0

Foundations

Secunda Family Foundation

Average yearly contributions: $12,674,775

Average yearly grants: $3,594,586

Latest Assets: $153,731,052 (2017)

Contributions by year

2010

$686,805

2011

$0

2012

$45,000,000

2013

$4,000,000

2014

$7,668,766

2015

$7,019,559

2016

$21,032,639

2017

$15,990,433

Annette Simmons2011 | Family Wealth, Investments N/A $13,943,685 $20,344,225 $246,605

Notes

She is the widow of Harold Simmons, the Dallas business magnate who died in 2013. These figures reflect the financials of the Harold Simmons Foundation, which is funded largely by Contran, the investment company he founded. In 2016, she announced a $50 million pledge to help build a riverfront park in the city.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 4 (view profile)

Foundations

Harold Simmons Foundation

Average yearly contributions: $12,200,724

Average yearly grants: $17,801,197

Latest Assets: $246,605 (2016)

Contributions by year

2010

$7,636,220

2011

$9,815,000

2012

$18,224,000

2013

$30,956,075

2014

$1,474,500

2015

$13,600,000

2016

$15,900,000

2017

$0

Mark Heising & Liz Simons2016 | Family Wealth, Investments N/A $25,666,440 $32,399,436 $505.1 million

Notes

The daughter of legendary hedge-fund manager Jim Simons and her husband have quietly established themselves as significant philanthropists over the past decade, with their foundation’s grant making reaching $63 million in 2017 and assets growing nearly fourfold since 2010.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 0

Foundations

Heising-Simons Foundation

Average yearly contributions: $25,666,440

Average yearly grants: $32,399,436

Latest Assets: $505,089,441 (2017)

Contributions by year

2010

$8,955,000

2011

$23,195,000

2012

$55,959,457

2013

$24,686,712

2014

$9,500,000

2015

$27,719,595

2016

$35,345,000

2017

$19,970,757

Laura Baxter-Simons and Nat Simons2017 | Family Wealth, Investments N/A $32,266,527 $46,002,504 $225.1 million

Notes

A key supporter of environmental groups and climate-change issues, their foundation has given more than $500 million toward clean energy and climate-mitigation efforts, according to a statement Nat Simons, son of retired hedge-fund billionaire Jim Simons, gave to Inside Philanthropy last year.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 0

Foundations

Sea Change Foundation

Average yearly contributions: $32,266,527

Average yearly grants: $46,002,504

Latest Assets: $225,076,693 (2017)

Contributions by year

2010

$63,900,000

2011

$26,603,000

2012

$29,925,000

2013

$25,419,000

2014

$31,923,491

2015

$7,182,063

2016

$47,663,529

2017

$25,516,132

Jim and Marilyn Simons2010 | Finance $22 billion $129,051,165 $241,473,599 $3.4 billion

Notes

These figures are from the couple’s foundation and the Nick Simons Foundation, created in 2005 in memory of their son, who died in 2003. They are one of nine Giving Pledge members in our analysis who have donated $1 billion or more to their foundations since 2010.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 0

Foundations

Nick Simonds Foundation

Average yearly contributions: $8,873,518

Average yearly grants: $4,217,760

Latest Assets: $78,853,473 (2017)

Simons Foundation

Average yearly contributions: $120,177,647

Average yearly grants: $237,255,840

Latest Assets: $3,316,187,930 (2017)

Contributions by year

2010

$270,095,621

$16,800,000

2011

$79,400,843

$11,800,000

2012

$150,328,193

$15,750,500

2013

$84,000,000

$5,400,000

2014

$23,137,304

$6,950,000

2015

$53,000,000

$9,737,641

2016

$80,000,000

$4,550,000

2017

$221,459,214

$0

Paul Singer2013 | Finance $3.2 billion $93,807,375 $19,555,285 $852.1 million

Notes

Including $400 million in gifts from his firm, Elliott Management, the investor and hedge-fund manager gave $750 million to his two foundations — more than all but 10 others in our analysis, including better-known philanthropists and Wall Street icons Bill Ackman and Julian Robertson.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 0

Foundations

Paul E. Singer Foundation

Average yearly contributions: $85,682,375

Average yearly grants: $18,582,827

Latest Assets: $834,926,008 (2017)

The Paul Singer Family Foundation

Average yearly contributions: $8,125,000

Average yearly grants: $673,750

Latest Assets: $17,164,183 (2017)

Contributions by year

2010

$0

$65,000,000

2011

$95,000,000

$0

2012

$0

$0

2013

$61,000,000

$0

2014

$52,000,000

$0

2015

$30,459,000

$0

2016

$9,000,000

$0

2017

$438,000,000

$0

Jeff Skoll2010 | Technology, Entertainment $4.7 billion $13,407,936 $21,601,306 $618.8 million

Notes

The financials below are drawn from the Skoll Foundation; he also gives to the Skoll Fund, a supporting organization with the Silicon Valley Community Foundation. The foundation reports that at the end of 2018, the two entities collectively had assets topping $1 billion and awarded grants last year of $127 million. In an email to the Chronicle, Skoll said he has given away about half of his fortune, and his remaining assets will go to the Skoll Foundation when he dies.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 5 (view profile)

Foundations

Skoll Foundation

Average yearly contributions: $13,407,936

Average yearly grants: $21,601,306

Latest Assets: $618,798,067 (2017)

Contributions by year

2010

$1,643,398

2011

$0

2012

$40,139,184

2013

$16,997,449

2014

$16,956,195

2015

$17,114,045

2016

$4,871,563

2017

$9,541,650

John A. and Susan Sobrato2012 | Real Estate $6.5 billion $17,498,163 $16,235,917 $270.7 million

Notes

The giving totals may include donations from their son John Michael; he signed the Giving Pledge with them, though he and his wife, Timi, have joined on their own. The foundation has gone on a spree recently, awarding a total of $64 million in 2016 and 2017 — $15 million more than in the six previous years combined. The elder Sobratos told the Chronicle that their significant recent grants include $100 million to Santa Clara University in 2016 and $29 million to the Sobrato Early Academic Language Model, a program to help California teachers working with Spanish-speaking students in prekindergarten through third grade.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 1 (view profile)

Foundations

Sobrato Family Foundation

Average yearly contributions: $16,287,151

Average yearly grants: $16,185,367

Latest Assets: $270,662,644 (2017)

Contributions by year

2010

$1,335,601

2011

$1,260,479

2012

$1,140,680

2013

$28,175,732

2014

$29,827,626

2015

$16,177,714

2016

$62,155,060

2017

$212,844

Michele Chan & Patrick Soon-Shiong2010 | Pharmaceuticals $7 billion $35,865,641 $5,452,470 $248.9 million

Notes

The two opened their foundation in 2009, and annual grant outlays climbed to a high of $12 million in 2017. Cambridge Equities, Patrick Soon-Shiong’s investment company, contributed about $105 million of the couple’s $287 million in gifts to the grant maker.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 1 (view profile)

Foundations

Chan Soon-Shiong Family Foundation

Average yearly contributions: $35,865,641

Average yearly grants: $5,452,470

Latest Assets: $248,893,346 (2017)

Contributions by year

2010

$80,992,300

2011

$0

2012

$0

2013

$0

2014

$0

2015

$205,932,828

2016

$0

2017

$0

Harry Stine2017 | Agriculture $3.9 billion $250,000 $629,500 $15.6 million

Notes

Stine, who parlayed soybean-genetics breakthroughs and other seed innovation into a fortune, gave $2 million to his foundation through his company in 2010-17. He personally added another $2 million in 2018.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 0

Foundations

Stine Family Foundation

Average yearly contributions: $250,000

Average yearly grants: $629,500

Latest Assets: $15,588,557 (2017)

Contributions by year

2010

$0

2011

$2,000,000

2012

$0

2013

$0

2014

$0

2015

$0

2016

$0

2017

$0

Leonard Tow2012 | Telecommunications < $1 billion $5,993,930 $13,732,739 $232.9 million

Notes

The 31-year-old Tow Foundation backs criminal-justice efforts, higher education (particularly in the New York area), and journalism, among other things. Its biggest 2017 grant ($5.2 million) went to Barnard College, the alma mater of Tow’s daughter, Emily Tow Jackson, president of the foundation.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 0

Foundations

Tow Foundation Inc.

Average yearly contributions: $5,993,930

Average yearly grants: $13,732,739

Latest Assets: $232,898,501 (2017)

Contributions by year

2010

$0

2011

$1,300,000

2012

$3,290,146

2013

$3,763,645

2014

$19,334,228

2015

$11,787,153

2016

$3,414,000

2017

$5,062,270

Ted Turner2010 | Media and Entertainment $2.2 billion $11,264,992 $9,005,087 $5.2 million

Notes

The CNN founder is best known for his $1 billion pledge in 1997 to help establish the United Nations Foundation. He started his Turner Foundation in 1990 and was doling out $44 million in grants annually by 2000, a decade before he signed the pledge.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 6 (view profile)

Foundations

Turner Foundation

Average yearly contributions: $11,264,992

Average yearly grants: $9,005,087

Latest Assets: $5,203,926 (2017)

Contributions by year

2010

$12,134,371

2011

$10,112,376

2012

$12,721,486

2013

$12,382,151

2014

$12,444,750

2015

$12,543,500

2016

$10,281,300

2017

$7,500,000

Sanford and Joan Weill2010 | Finance $1 billion $24,542,676 $7,863,175 $246.3 million

Notes

Assets in their family foundation nearly doubled from 2015 to 2017. In 2016, they committed $185 million to launch the Weill Institute for Neurosciences at the U. of California at San Francisco.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 8 (view profile)

Foundations

Weill Family Foundation

Average yearly contributions: $24,542,676

Average yearly grants: $7,863,175

Latest Assets: $246,295,289 (2017)

Contributions by year

2010

$0

2011

$0

2012

$10,015,250

2013

$6,606,900

2014

$35,828,969

2015

$21,119,080

2016

$63,542,340

2017

$59,228,870

Herbert and Nicole Wertheim2015 | Health Care, Investments $2.4 billion $513,618 $664,444 $63.5 million

Notes

The couple makes sporadic use of their foundation — grant making was less than $50,000 annually for four consecutive years — yet they pledged $25 million from the philanthropy in 2018 to the U. of California at San Diego to build a school of public health. He is an optometrist.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 1 (view profile)

Foundations

Dr. Herbert and Nicole Wertheim Family Foundation, Inc.

Average yearly contributions: $513,618

Average yearly grants: $664,444

Latest Assets: $63,540,787 (2017)

Contributions by year

2010

$0

2011

$0

2012

$100,000

2013

$2,702

2014

$5,940

2015

$3,994,416

2016

$5,888

2017

$0

Charles and Merryl Snow Zegar2010 | Finance, Media and Entertainment $2.2 billion $14,218,704 $4,672,230 $176.1 million

Notes

Family-foundation assets tripled from 2010 to 2017. Grant awards climbed from $2.4 million in 2010 to $8.5 million in 2017. Charles is a co-founder of Michael Bloomberg’s financial-data company.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 0

Foundations

Zegar Family Foundation

Average yearly contributions: $14,218,704

Average yearly grants: $4,672,230

Latest Assets: $176,070,570 (2017)

Contributions by year

2010

$1,500

2011

$0

2012

$33,484,150

2013

$26,324,931

2014

$16,535,918

2015

$13,080,825

2016

$13,295,427

2017

$11,026,881

Priscilla Chan & Mark Zuckerberg2010 | Technology $62 billion $501,934,683 $16,993,521 $3.1 billion

Notes

The Facebook co-founder and his wife opened the foundation in 2012 but didn’t rev up grant making until 2016; in ’16 and ’17, it doled out $102 million. They also conduct philanthropy through the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, a limited-liability corporation, and a donor-advised fund at Silicon Valley Community Foundation. The Chronicle estimates their total charitable giving since 2010 at $3.8 billion.

Years in the Philanthropy 50: 5 (view profile)

Foundations

Chan Zuckerberg Foundation

Average yearly contributions: $501,934,683

Average yearly grants: $16,993,521

Latest Assets: $3,126,501,381 (2017)

Contributions by year

2012

$89

2013

$10

2014

$100,000

2015

$0

2016

$1,154,933,000

2017

$1,856,575,000

Loading…Your selection returned no resultsShowing 174 of 74 pledge members


ADVERTISEMENT

Methodology

The contributions and foundations data has been compiled from analysis of annual foundation filings with the Internal Revenue Service from 2010 (the year the Giving Pledge launched) through 2017 or the latest year available. Contributions to a foundation were credited to a Giving Pledge member if the donation was made individually, through a trust in the person’s name, or through a business enterprise owned by the member. Other contributions to the foundation were excluded.

For this work, the data-nonprofit Candid identified the foundations affiliated with Giving Pledge members as part of its “Eye on the Giving Pledge” project. It also provided some of the data for our giving snapshots, although for some donors, we concluded that the information could not be analyzed.

Note: Giving Pledge members may give to foundations not identified by Candid. Also, the Chronicle did not attempt to examine the giving of pledge members for whom Candid did not identify affiliated foundations.

Estimated net worth figures are from the Forbes ranking of billionaires from March 2019. The wealth of Giving Pledge members not appearing in that ranking is noted as less than $1 billion.

We welcome your thoughts and questions about this article. Please email the editors or submit a letter for publication.

About the Authors

Contributor

Contributor

Drew is a longtime magazine writer and editor who joined the Chronicle of Philanthropy in 2014.He previously worked at Washingtonian magazine and was a principal editor for Teacher and MHQ, which were both selected as finalists for a National Magazine Award for general excellence. In 2005, he was one of 18 journalists selected for a yearlong Knight-Wallace Fellowship at the University of Michigan.

Contributor