12 famous philanthropists making a positive impact - Tony ...

A philanthropist is anyone who donates their money or time to make a difference in the lives of others. While celebrities and entrepreneurs often come to mind, ... 1-800-488-6040 Login Guide MyCareerorBusiness MyHealth&Vitality MyMentalHealth MyFinances&BuildingWealth MyRelationship MyLeadershipSkills MyProductivity GrowthSolutions GuideMe Mission AboutTonyRobbins Contribution CompanyCulture GetInvolved SuccessStories CaseStudies Events EventsCalendar UnleashthePowerWithin BusinessMastery DateWithDestiny LeadershipAcademy LifeMasteryVirtual WealthMasteryVirtual Programs InnerCircleCommunity PinnacleEnterprise PlatinumPartnership UnleashHerPowerWithin Coaching BusinessCoaching ResultsCoaching BusinessResultsTraining LifeCoaching HealthCoaching MeetOurCoaches Shop AllProducts TonyRobbinsBooks TrainingSystems Resources NewLifeForceBook Blog Podcasts BreakthroughApp NetflixDocumentary Videos BookRecommendations FreeTools&Quizzes Whatcanwehelpyoufind? Search Genericfilters Hiddenlabel Exactmatchesonly Hiddenlabel Searchintitle Hiddenlabel Searchincontent Hiddenlabel Searchinexcerpt Trythese:timemanagementrelationshipadvicehealthylifestylemoneywealthsuccessleadershippsychology Guide MyCareerorBusiness MyHealth&Vitality MyMentalHealth MyFinances&BuildingWealth MyRelationship MyLeadershipSkills MyProductivity GrowthSolutions GuideMe Mission AboutTonyRobbins Contribution CompanyCulture GetInvolved SuccessStories CaseStudies Events EventsCalendar UnleashthePowerWithin BusinessMastery DateWithDestiny LeadershipAcademy LifeMasteryVirtual WealthMasteryVirtual Programs InnerCircleCommunity PinnacleEnterprise PlatinumPartnership UnleashHerPowerWithin Coaching BusinessCoaching ResultsCoaching BusinessResultsTraining LifeCoaching HealthCoaching MeetOurCoaches Shop AllProducts TonyRobbinsBooks TrainingSystems Resources NewLifeForceBook Blog Podcasts BreakthroughApp NetflixDocumentary Videos BookRecommendations FreeTools&Quizzes Home»GiveBack»Whatisaphilanthropist? 10FamousPhilanthropists Thesecrettolivingisgiving.AsTonysays,Whenyouservesomethinggreaterthanyourself,whetheritbeyourfamily,yourlocalcommunityoratagloballevel,youdiscoveradeeperpurposeandandcreatemoremeaninginyourlife.IntheU.S.thereisastrongcultureofphilanthropy–highnetworthindividualswhohavechosentodonate financialresourcestocommunitiesandcausesthatneedsupport. Tonyisoneofmanypeoplemakingapositiveimpactintheworldbysupportingcausesthatmattertohimpersonally.Foryears,Tonyhasgiventoothers,fromleadingthe1BillionMealsChallengewithFeedingAmerica(whichhashelped providemorethan850millionmealssofartothoseinneed),toworkingwithOperationUndergroundRailroadtopreventchildtrafficking,Tony’slearnedthatthekeytofulfillmentliesingiving.  Famousphilanthropistsmaketheirimpactintheworldbygivingbackaportionoftheirmonetarywealth.Evenifyoudon’thavelargepoolsofcapitaltodeployintononprofitsorotherrecipients,youcanstillgive–yourtime,yourenergy,orwhateverresourcesyouhavethatyou’dliketoshare.Inthisway,everyonecanbecomeaphilanthropist. Youcanmakeapositivedifferenceinthelivesofothersrightnow Startgivingbacktoday Whatisaphilanthropist? Tofindthekeystobecomingaphilanthropist,nomatteryourfinancialmeans,let’stakeadeeperlookatthequestion,“Whatisaphilanthropist?”  Let’sstartwiththephilanthropistmeaningstraightfromthedictionary: phi·lan·thro·pist /fəˈlanTHrəpəst/ noun:philanthropist;pluralnoun:philanthrophists 1.apersonwhoseekstopromotethewelfareofothers,especiallybythegenerousdonationofmoneytogoodcauses. Inshort,aphilanthropistissomeonewhodonatestheirmoney,experience,time,talentorskillstohelpothersandcreateabetterworld.Thoughweoftenthinkofthemaspeoplewhohavemillionsofdollarstodonate,youdon’thavetobeafamousphilanthropistwithahugenetworthtoqualify.Thisisjustoneofafewmisconceptionsabouthowtobeaphilanthropist. Whatarethebenefitsofbeingaphilanthropist? Mostphilanthropistsaren’tinitforfameorrecognition.Thebiggestbenefitofbeingaphilanthropististhatitfulfillssomeofourdeepesthumanneeds.Weallhavetheseneeds:certainty,significance,variety,love/connection,growthandcontribution.Whichoftheseneedsismostimportanttousandthewayswegoaboutfulfillingthemarewhatmakeuswhoweare. Philanthropyfulfillsourneedforcontribution.Haveyoueverreachedamajormilestoneinyourlife–yourdreamjob,startingabusiness,financialfreedom–andwonderedwhyyoustillfeellikesomethingismissing?It’slikelybecauseyou’renotfulfillingyourneedforcontribution.AsTonysays,“Itisnotwhatweget,butwhowebecomeandwhatwecontributethatgivesmeaningtoourlives.” Beingaphilanthropistcanactuallyimproveyourownlife,too.Thelawofattractionstatesthatwegetbacktheenergyweputintotheworld.Byfocusingongivingback,makingadifferenceandcreatingpositivechange,you’llcreateacyclethatbringsabundancebacktoyoutenfold. Isthereadifferencebetweencharityandphilanthropy? Charityistheactualactionthatistakentoimprovesomeone’slife:stockingshelvesatafoodbanklikeTony’sFeedingAmericaproject,buildingsheltersforrefugeesorprovidingmedicalcareafteradisaster.Asanorganization,acharityistheentitythatcoordinatesandsuppliestheseon-the-groundservices. Philanthropyiswhatsuppliescharitieswiththefunds,personnelandequipmenttheyneed.Sowhatisaphilanthropistversusavolunteer?Theysharemanysimilarities,butphilanthropyisastrategicprocessinwhichdonationsoftime,skillsand/ormoneyaremadeinordertoaddressasystemicorsocialissue. Isphilanthropyconsideredacareer? Yes,youcanabsolutelybuildacareerinphilanthropy.Therearemanydifferentpathsyoucantake,fromgrantwritingandprogramdirectingtocorporatesocialresponsibilityandcausemarketing.You’llfindconsultantsandCEOsinphilanthropy,justasinthetypicalbusinessworld.Foracareerinphilanthropy,you’llneedafewessentialskills:adaptabilityandperseverance,passion,peopleskillsandagrowthmindset.Theworldofphilanthropycanbecompetitive,butisalsooneofthemostfulfillingcareers.   Lookingfortipsonhowtobecomeaphilanthropist?Itneverhurtstolookuptofamousphilanthropistswhoarechangingtheworld.Hereare12ofthemostinfluentialcelebrityphilanthropistsmakingadifference. Tony'sTop10Philanthropists PaulTudorJones HedgefundmanagerPaulTudorJonesisknownasatopphilanthropistintheUnitedStates.HisRobinHoodFoundationfocusesonpovertyeducationandhasbeenservingfamiliesinNewYorkforoverthreedecades.Hespecificallyfocusesonthoseinvestmentsandnonprofitstoproducereal,measurableresults,likehewouldaninvestment. Joneshasbeenabletoleveragehisnetworkofhedgefundmanagerstogetpartnersandadditionalfundingforthefoundationthroughtheirorganizations,creatinganetworkeffectandincreasingitsimpactinmultiples.    RayDalio Since2003,throughDalioPhilanthropies,BridgewaterFounder RayDalioandhisfamilyhavecontributedover$1billiontoawiderangeofmeaningfulcauses—includinghealthequity,socialentrepreneurship,education,oceanexploration,andmuchmore.Dalio’sapproachtophilanthropyisdistinctinthathedoesnotlookforcreditorpublicawareness,butrathertendstomakehisdonationsinsecret. HehaspartneredwithTonyonFeedingAmerica,aswellassupportingBoys&GirlsClubsonAmerica,anddonated$1.2Mtoendhumantrafficking. MarcBenioff MarcBenioffisoneofTony’sclosestfriends,andinfact,attendedTony’seventsmultipletimesbeforehestartedSalesforce.com,attributingthecompany’ssuccesstowhathelearnedfromTony! Inadditiontobeingasuccessfulentrepreneurandsoftwaregenius,Benioffcreatedanewmodelofphilanthropythathas beeneagerlyacceptedandimplementedinover700companiesworldwide. The‘1-1-1model’,orthePledge1%Movement,allowscompaniestocontribute1%productvalue,1%equityand1%ofemployeehourstocommunitiesandprogramsaroundtheworld.Throughthismodel,Benioffhasprovidedgrantfundingtodateofover$115million,givenaccesstoSalesforcetechnologytoover28,000charitableandnonprofitorganizationsanddonatedover1.3millionemployeevolunteerhours. MarcandTonyhavealsopartneredonphilanthropicinitiatives,includingthepurchaseofasoupkitchenintheMissiondistrictofSanFranciscosothatitmaycontinuetoservethecommunitydespiterenthikes. WarrenBuffett Sincetheyear2000,WarrenBuffetthasgivenmorethan$46billiontocharityandiscommonlyknownasoneoftheworld’sbiggestphilanthropists.AsthechairmanandCEOofBerkshireHathaway,Buffettisbelievedtobeworthroughly$96billion,puttinghimonthetop10listofrichestpeopleintheworld.BuffetthasgivenportionsofhiswealthtotheBillandMelindaGatesFoundation,theSusanThompsonBuffettFoundation,theHowardG.BuffettFoundation,SherwoodFoundationandtheNoVoFoundationamongmanyothers. In2012,Buffettpledgedmorethan$1billionworthofstockstoeachofhischildren’sfoundations,amountingtomorethan$3billiontotal–andwhentalliedtogether,wasoneofthebiggestdonationsever.Notonlyhasthisfamousphilanthropistgivenawayasubstantialchunkofhisownwealth,buthehasalsohelpedputinplaceachargeforotherultra-richindividualstodothesame.In2010,BuffetandBillandMelindaGateslaunchedTheGivingPledge,urgingbillionairestopubliclydedicatethemajorityoftheirwealthtophilanthropy.Alongwithhisincrediblegenerosityasaphilanthropist,Buffettisalsoknownforhishumilityandcommitmenttolivingmodestly,showingthathehasstrongvaluesandknowswhatittakestocreateanextraordinarylife. OprahWinfrey OprahWinfreyisperhapsoneofthemostimpressiveoftheworld’stopcelebrityphilanthropistsbecauseshetrulyfitstheterm“self-made.”AftergrowingupinapoorhouseholdinMississippiandenduringsexualabuse,shestillmanagedtoovercomethemanyobstaclesshefacedandfoundmajorsuccess.NotonlyhasWinfreybroughttolighttheneedsofpeoplearoundtheglobethroughhertalkshowandreportingendeavors,butshe’sdonatedmillionsofdollarsthroughtheOprahWinfreyCharitableFoundation.HerfoundationtookonmostoftheresponsibilitiesoftheAngelNetworkandtheOprahWinfreyLeadershipAcademyFoundation,contributingmorethan$140milliontoTheOprahWinfreyLeadershipAcademyforGirls.  Asaphilanthropist,she’salsosupportedcauseslikeTime’sUp,NStreetVillageandtheMuseumofAfricanAmericanHistoryandCulture.Oprahistheepitomeofphilanthropyandhasshownthatfamousphilanthropistsdon’thavetocomefromwealthyfamiliesandthattheycanchoosethecausesthathavethemostmeaningforthem. MichaelJordan YouprobablyknowMichaelJordanasoneofthemosttalentedNBAplayersofalltime,buthehastranscendedthatroletobecomeoneofthemostinfluentialcelebrityphilanthropistsinthenation.SincebecomingamajorityowneroftheCharlotteHornets,Jordanhashelpedtheteamgiveawaymorethan$3milliontoanumberofcauses,includingthoserelatedtothemilitary,educationandfeedingthehungry. Asapersonalphilanthropist,he’smademultimillion-dollardonationstoFriendsoftheChildren,donated$2milliontoHurricaneFlorencereliefeffortsandhasservedasMake-A-Wish’sChiefWishAmbassadorsince2008,anddonated$10milliontoopentwonewmedicalclinicsinhishometown.Jordanhasshownthatheunderstandslifelonggrowthispossibleandcontinuestogrowbycontributingoutsidehimselftomakeabigdifferenceinthelivesofothers. SerenaWilliams SerenaWilliamsisasuperstaronthecourt,butshe’sjustasbigofastarwhenitcomestophilanthropicendeavors.SerenaandhersisterVenusopenedTheYetundePriceResourceCenterintheirhometownofCompton,namedaftertheirsisterwhowasavictimofgangviolence.TheCentercreatesresourcesforComptoncommunitymembersandpromoteshealingandresiliencyforlocals.Serenaalsosellsherdaughter’sclothingonPoshmarkanddonatesproceedstotheWilliamsSistersFund,whichusesthemoneyforviolenceprevention,educationandathleticengagementintheinnercity. J.K.Rowling Whenyouthinkofwildlysuccessfulauthors,J.K.Rowlingalwayscomestomind.TheHarryPotterwriterhascaptivatedpeopleallovertheworldwithherspellbindingcharactersandmagicalworld-building.Shealsocomestomindasoneoftheworld’shigh-impactfamousphilanthropists.Frombooks,movies,themeparksandmerchandisesales,Rowlingquicklyrosetobillionairestatus. Today,duetohernumerouscharitabledonations,Rowlingisnowworthcloserto$60millionandhasbecomeaphilanthropicrolemodel.HerglobalcharityLumos,namedforaspellinthewizardingseries,aimstohelpchildrenwhohavebeenwrongfullyseparatedfromtheirfamiliesandplacedinorphanages.Lumossupportschildwelfareprogrammingbyadvocatingforandfundingvariouseducation,healthandsocialcaresystemreforms.Rowlingremainsoneofthemostoutspokencelebrityphilanthropistswhobacksuphermonetarycontributionswitheffortstoenactinternationalpoliticalchange. DianevonFurstenberg AmongthemostglamorousphilanthropistsisiconicdesignerandbusinesswomanDianevonFurstenberg.Thefashiondesignerresponsibleforthecreationandpopularityofthewrapdress,vonFurstenberghasbecomeoneofthebiggestphilanthropistsinthefashionindustry.Sheandherhusband,mediamogulandfounderoftheUSAnetworkBarryDiller,havepledgedtogiveover$1billionincharitablecontributions.AsthedirectorofTheDiller–vonFurstenbergFamilyFoundation,thisfamousphilanthropisthasalreadyhelpedgeneratemillionsofdollarstohelporganizationsinthepublicspaces,communitybuilding,education,arts,humanrightsandenvironmentalsectors. Pitbull Cuban-AmericanrapsuperstarPitbullclearlyknowsthepowerofmusicandhappenstobeoneofthemosthigh-profilecelebrityphilanthropistsintheworld.HisphilanthropiceffortshelpedcreatetheSportsLeadershipandManagementAcademy(SLAM)inLittleHavanatogiveopportunitiestodisadvantagedyouthinMiami.He’salsomadeplanstoexpandSLAMintootherlocationsincludingLasVegasandAtlanta. TheentertainmentmogulhasalsobeeninductedintotheAmbassadorDavidM.WaltersInternationalPediatricHallofFameforhissupportoftheMiamiChildren’sFoundationandisanavidsupporteroftheImaginateFoundation,anorganizationthatprovidesresourcesforlow-incomefamiliesintheMiamiarea.Hemaybeknownas“Mr.Worldwide,”butPitbullcouldjustaseasilybeknownas“Mr.Philanthropist.” MichaelBloomberg Politician,authorandnowoneofthecountry’sbiggestphilanthropists,MichaelBloombergistheeleventhrichestpersonintheworld.Heusesthiswealthinawaythatisinlinewithhislife’swork–byhelpingtoimprovecitygovernmentsaroundtheworld.In2018alone,Bloombergdonated$767million,andhaspledged$1.8billiontohisalmamaterJohnsHopkinsUniversitywhichwillbepaidoutthisyear.Bloombergistheperfectexampleofafamousphilanthropistwhoclearlyunderstandsthatlivingafulfillinglifeisonlypossiblewhenyoucontributebeyondyourself. MackenzieScott Sincefirstpromisingin2019togiveawayherentirefortune,thebillionaireMacKenzieScotthashandedoutover$12billiontononprofits.Thatenormoussumhasvaultedhertothetopranksofphilanthropistsworldwide. Andhermomentumisonlygrowing.Ina2022essayshedescribedanadditional$3.9billioningifts(inlessthanoneyear!)to465nonprofitsacrossvariousareasincludingclimateandeducation,aswellasUkrainereliefefforts. Howtobecomeaphilanthropist Famousphilanthropistshaveampleresourcesattheirdisposalandnearlyunlimitedopportunitiestohelpothers.Theyhavethefundstomakeabigdifferenceandthesocialcapitaltospreadtheirmessage.Youmightnothavethesesameresourcesatyourdisposal,butyoustillhavetheopportunitytomakeapositiveimpact.Ifyoucan’tdonategoodsormoney,donateyourtimeorskills.Themeaningofbeingatruephilanthropistisn’taboutmoney–it’saboutpassion. Staylocal Therearemanywaysthatyoucangivebacktoyourlocalcommunitywithoutspendingmoney.Serveatasoupkitchenorstockdonationsatafoodpantry.Makeboxesforamealdeliveryservice.Volunteerwithanafter-schoolprogram,becomeamentortoat-riskyouthorworkatacommunitycenter.Findalocalcausethatspeakstoyouanddonateyourtime. Raiseawareness Whatisaphilanthropistifnotsomeonewhousestheirpositiontohelpbetterthelivesofothers?Youmaynothaveasmuchmoneyasfamousphilanthropists,butyoustillhaveplentytobegratefulfor.Advocatingforagrouplessfortunatethanyourselfistheultimatewaytobecomeaphilanthropistwithoutspendingacent. Useyourskillsorexperience Everyonehasgifts,andmanyofthosegiftsareusefulwhenitcomestohowtobecomeaphilanthropist.Usewritingskillstocreatemarketingmaterialsorwritegrantsforanonprofit.Teachmathorreadingtodisadvantagedkids.Ifyouhaveknowledgeaboutaspecifictopic,likethelaw,accountingorregulationsinacertainindustry,useitforgood. Setasideasmallportionofyourpaycheck Evenfivedollarsaweekaddsuptomorethan$250peryear.Saveasmallamounteachweek,thenmakeanannualdonationatacertaintimeofyear.Donateschoolsuppliesinthefall,holidaygiftsinthewinterorbooksforsummerreadingatthebeginningofthebreak. FAQsaboutphilanthropists Whatwerethebiggestcharitabledonationsin2020? In2020,JeffBezospledged$10billiontofightclimatechangeanddispersed$791millioninhisfirstgrantsfromthatpledge.Thatwassplitbetween16groupsincludingtheEnvironmentalDefenseFundandtheWorldWildlifeFund.NikecofounderPhilKnightdonated$900milliontohisownKnightFoundationand$300milliontotheUniversityofOregonforatotalof$1.2billion.ConstructionmagnateFredKummeralsodonated$300milliontoaneducationalinstitution,MissouriUniversityofScienceandTechnology.Despiteaworldwidepandemicandrecession,thesephilanthropistsprovethatit’salwaysagoodtimetogive. Whatqualifiessomeoneasaphilanthropist? Aphilanthropistisanyonewhodonatestheirmoneyortimetomakeadifferenceinthelivesofothers.Whilecelebritiesandentrepreneursoftencometomind,thetruthisthatanyonecanbephilanthropic,whetheryouhavemillionsofdollarsorjustafewhundredinthebank.Ifyouuseyourmoney,experienceortalenttomakeadifferenceinthelivesofothersandfeelthefulfillmentthatcomesfromselflessactsofkindness,you’reaphilanthropist. Whoisthebiggestphilanthropistintheworld? BillGatesandWarrenBuffettfrequentlytopthelistofbiggestphilanthropists.In2018,Buffetdonated$3.4billiontofoundationsdedicatedtowomen’srights,socialjusticeandfightingpoverty,andhasalsodonatedtotheBillandMelindaGatesFoundation.Throughhisfoundation,Gateshasgivenaway$2.6billiontocauseslikeeradicatingHIVandpolio.Overtheirentirelifetimes,Buffetthasdonated$21.5billionandGates$27billion,puttingthemleaguesaheadofanyotherfamousphilanthropistsintheworld. Wanttolearnmoreabouthowtobecomeaphilanthropist? Althoughnotallcontributionscanbeaslargeastheonesmadebyfamousphilanthropists,theyarestillimportant.Learnhowyoucangiveback. LEARNMORE ©2022RobbinsResearchInternational,Inc.Allrightsreserved. Thiswebsiteusescookiestopersonalizeyourexperienceandtargetadvertising..Bycontinuingtouseourwebsite,youacceptthetermsofourupdatedpoliciesOkay,thanks