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17 More Families Join Giving Pledge and Commit Majority of Wealth to Philanthropy

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Published
06/01/2016 by

Today the Giving Pledge announced the addition of 17 new individuals and families to the pledge since June 2015, bringing the current total of signatories to 154 from 16 countries. The Giving Pledge is a multi-generational, global initiative created by Warren Buffett andBill and Melinda Gates that encourages billionaires to give the majority of their wealth to philanthropic causes.

The 17 new signatories announced today are:

  • Margaret and Sylvan Adams (Israel)
  • HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz AlSaud (Saudi Arabia)
  • Lynne and Marc Benioff (United States)
  • Nathan and Elizabeth Blecharczyk (United States)
  • Brian Chesky (United States)
  • Scott Cook and Signe Ostby (United States)
  • Jack and Laura Dangermond (United States)
  • Henry Engelhardt, CBE and Diane Briere de l'Isle-Engelhardt, OBE (United Kingdom)
  • Joe Gebbia (United States)
  • Sir Tom and Lady Marion Hunter (United Kingdom)
  • Robert and Arlene Kogod (United States)
  • Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw (India)
  • PNC and Sobha Menon (UAE)
  • Gary K. Michelson, M.D. (United States)
  • Gensheng Niu (China)
  • Liz Simons and Mark Heising (United States)
  • Dr. Herbert and Nicole Wertheim (United States)

"This new group joining the Giving Pledge is incredibly thoughtful about their desire to give back and help solve the world's toughest challenges through philanthropy," said Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. "Some have been giving for decades and others are just starting out after building successful businesses, but they all see the value of giving in a bold and effective way. Melinda, Warren and I are glad to have the opportunity to learn with them and from them."

The new additions to the Giving Pledge include entrepreneurs and business leaders from a diverse set of backgrounds and sectors, including technology, medicine and biotech, real estate, and dairy farming. They will use their philanthropic resources to support a range of causes, including poverty alleviation, healthcare, education, and environmental protection.

Giving Pledge signatories convened this week at the group's annual two-day learning conference, which provides them with the opportunity to hear from outside experts and learn from each other about how to give effectively across a range of issues. Topics discussed at this year's annual gathering included leveraging philanthropy to drive women's opportunities in the global economy, opportunities and challenges for giving internationally, solving environmental issues, engaging in urban renewal projects, and philanthropy's role in advancing scientific discovery.

About the Giving Pledge 
The Giving Pledge is a global effort to help address society's most pressing problems by encouraging the wealthiest families to give the majority of their wealth to philanthropic causes.

The 154 pledgers range in age from 30 to 100. Globally, signatories represent 16 countries: Australia, Brazil, China (mainland and Taiwan), Germany, India,Indonesia, Israel, Malaysia, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey,Ukraine, UAE, United Kingdom, and United States. In the United States, they are from 26 states and the District of Columbia, with the largest contingents from California and New York. Over the long-term, the Giving Pledge hopes to help shift the social norms of philanthropy toward giving more, giving sooner and giving smarter.

Pledge signatories come together throughout the year to discuss challenges, successes and failures, as well as how to be smarter about giving. The Giving Pledge does not involve direct appeals, pooling money, or requirements to support a particular cause or organization.

Although the Giving Pledge is specifically focused on billionaires, it is inspired by past and present efforts that encourage and recognize givers of all financial means and backgrounds. The inspiration is the example set by millions of people who give generously – and often at great personal sacrifice – to make the world a better place.

For the full list of pledgers and personal letters by many of these pledgers outlining their commitment to give, visit www.givingpledge.org.

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