2024’s Top Donors: ‘Forbes 400′ and ‘Giving Pledge’ Billionaires Who Gave Big

Illustration by Elizabeth Haugh.

March 4, 2025 | Read Time: 1 minute

Only 19 individuals, couples, and families on the 2024 Forbes 400 list of the wealthiest Americans appear on this year’s Philanthropy 50 list. That could be a sign that many of the wealthiest people in America aren’t big givers. But there are important caveats: Some billionaires don’t regularly make the Philanthropy 50 because even though they give very large amounts, they don’t do so every year. Others may give anonymously or choose not to disclose their charitable giving publicly or to the Chronicle.

Donors on the Forbes 400

These 19 donors gave more than $12.3 billion in 2024:

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Donors Who Have Signed the Giving Pledge

Among the 179 living U.S. signers of the Giving Pledge, 13 individuals or couples landed a spot on the Philanthropy 50. Warren Buffett, Bill Gates, and Melinda French Gates started the Giving Pledge in 2010 to persuade the world’s wealthiest people to commit to giving at least half of their fortunes to charity.

These donors gave $9.3 billion in 2024: