eBay Veterans Omidyar and Skoll Top Barron’s List of ‘Best Givers’
December 1, 2009 | Read Time: 1 minute
The eBay billionaires Pierre Omidyar and Jeff Skoll ranked first and second, respectively, among the world’s 25 “best givers,” according to ratings issued this week by Barron’s magazine in consultation with the Global Philanthropy Group.
The Omidyar Network — established by the online auction site’s founder, Pierre Omidyar, and his wife, Pam — and the foundation created by the former eBay president Jeff Skoll were cited for practicing high-impact “venture philanthropy.”
Barron’s said its list focused on the quality rather than the quantity of donations, with key criteria including innovation, alliances with other organizations, and the extent to which projects have ripple effects and can be replicated. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the world’s wealthiest philanthropy, ranked No. 7.
