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Millionaires frequently donate money, and it’s not just wishful thinking. It’s a common occurrence. You can indeed receive money from strangers.
Wealthy individuals, including millionaires and billionaires, frequently donate money to individuals, impoverished individuals seeking financial assistance, and charitable organizations.
Recently, my wife and I discussed Jeff Bezos, the founder and CEO of Amazon. We were intrigued by reports stating that during the lockdown, Bezos saw his wealth grow by an astounding $34.6 billion. However, he’s not the only one experiencing such wealth gains.
Between mid-March and mid-May, while the U.S. was in lockdown, the fortunes of America’s billionaires increased by $434 billion. Luckily, many of the wealthiest individuals globally are known for their philanthropy, regularly donating their wealth to charitable causes.
Many millionaires are willing to help those in need by giving away money.
Are you unemployed and struggling to cover your expenses? Perhaps you’re searching for ways to make ends meet without a job.
Are you facing the threat of foreclosure and need financial assistance?
Do you dream of starting your own business but lack the necessary startup funds?
There are several reasons you might want to get in touch with a millionaire who is giving away money.
Or are you curious about knowing which of the world’s richest people are known for their philanthropy?
Let’s explore the motives behind rich people giving away their fortunes and discover a list of the top 15 wealthy individuals renowned for their charitable giving.
Additionally, I’ll provide insights into two websites where you can reach out to millionaires and billionaires to request financial assistance, along with tips for writing effective letters.
Why do rich people give money away?
There are several reasons why millionaires and billionaires donate their money. Ultimately, the main reason is simple: they want to help those who are less fortunate than themselves.
Many people, including millionaires and billionaires, donate money to charities over time. Chances are, you’ve done so too.
They aim to generously support causes dear to them, but they do so on a larger scale due to their ample resources.
Rich individuals often support causes through charitable organizations. Some establish their own charities, while others donate to various causes they’re passionate about.
Here are some reasons why wealthy people give away money:
To prevent homelessness
Millionaires have the ability to donate money to help prevent families from becoming homeless.
To assist people with their career goals
Starting a business can be challenging, especially if you lack the necessary funds. Some individuals may possess artistic talent but lack the financial means for a studio or the time due to work commitments to pursue a career.
In such cases, a wealthy individual might step in to provide funding for startups or support an artist’s work, helping them kickstart their career.
To help fight hunger
Hunger remains a widespread issue worldwide, even in our own country. Fortunately, many affluent individuals support programs aimed at combating hunger through donations.
To fund research, education, conservation, and public services.
Many wealthy individuals donate money to support universities, wildlife conservation efforts, scientific research, public health services, and other causes.
To help people at times of crisis
Many millionaires generously donate money during crises, such as after natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina. Some focus on assisting women and children facing crises, for instance, JK Rowling.
Various motivations drive individuals to donate their wealth, as explained further below.
Top 10 millionaires & billionaires who’ve given away money
In this section, we’ll explore examples of wealthy individuals who have donated money. These include businessmen such as Warren Buffet and authors like J.K. Rowling.
1. Warren Buffet
Warren Buffett, one of the wealthiest individuals globally, has amassed billions through investments and is committed to philanthropy.
Ranked as the fourth richest person worldwide, Buffett’s net worth is approximately $78 billion, primarily from his investment firm Berkshire Hathaway.
Berkshire Hathaway holds significant stakes in well-known companies such as Dairy Queen, American Airlines, and Kraft Heinz.
Since 2006, he has donated a remarkable $37 billion, with a pledge to give away 99% of his wealth.
His philanthropy mainly focuses on The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, renowned for its efforts in combating poverty and improving health, including initiatives like malaria prevention and polio vaccination. Additionally, the foundation supports various causes such as hunger relief, poverty alleviation, and education enhancement.
2. Chuck Feeney
Chuck Feeney, an Irish-American businessman, has an intriguing story.
His motto is “Giving while living.”
Feeney made his fortune as a co-founder of the Duty Free Shoppers Group, known for introducing duty-free shopping.
For years, he quietly donated his wealth.
In 1997, it came to light during a business disagreement that Feeney had given away $600 million anonymously.
Since then, he has continued to donate the majority of his wealth.
Chuck Feeney, known for his thriftiness, has made notable choices throughout his life:
- He flew coach until the age of 75.
- He rents his apartment.
- He preferred burgers at local pubs over luxury lunches in NYC.
In 2017, reports indicated that Feeney kept only $2 million of his wealth for himself, a mere fraction of the $8 billion he had donated, less than 0.001%.
Feeney channels his wealth through his foundation, The Atlantic Philanthropies, contributing significant sums to various causes, such as $2 billion to Ireland, $177 million towards dementia research, and $100 million to UC San Francisco’s Medical Campus.
These are just a few examples of his remarkable generosity.
3. J.K. Rowling
Without her philanthropy, J.K. Rowling would be a billionaire, according to Forbes.
Thanks to her donations, Rowling’s wealth has decreased from billionaire to millionaire.
The Harry Potter author has given to various causes over the years.
During the lockdown, Rowling donated £1 million to charities aiding vulnerable groups. Half went to support homeless individuals, and the other half went to aid victims of domestic abuse.
In 2019, she generously donated £15.3 million to the Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic at the University of Edinburgh.
The clinic, named after Rowling’s late mother, who passed away from multiple sclerosis at 45, was established by the author in 2010. It focuses on researching neurological conditions such as MS and Parkinson’s disease.
4. Ted Turner
Ted Turner, the founder of CNN, has generously donated his money for many years. In 1997, he pledged $1 billion to UN programs, which led to the creation of the United Nations Foundation, a charity aimed at increasing U.S. support for the UN.
Turner is also involved in the Giving Pledge alongside Warren Buffet and Chuck Feeney. This initiative encourages the world’s wealthiest individuals to commit most of their wealth to charitable endeavors.
5. Tim Cook
Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, is known for his philanthropy. He owns approximately 0.02% of Apple’s shares, totaling around 847,969 shares valued at $375 million.
His total compensation from share sales, dividends, and other sources is roughly $650 million.
Despite his considerable wealth, Cook leads a modest lifestyle. He reportedly resides in a Palo Alto home valued at less than 75% of the town’s median home value.
In Adam Lashinsky’s 2012 book, “Inside Apple: How America’s Most Admired–and Secretive–Company Really Works,” Tim Cook stated, “Money is not a motivator for me.”
In 2019, Cook donated over $5 million worth of Apple shares to a charity that wasn’t specified. He has also committed to donating his wealth to charitable causes before his death.
6. George Soros
George Soros, a Hungarian-American billionaire investor, founded the Open Society Foundations, a philanthropic organization that promotes democracy and human rights in over 100 countries. He has donated over $32 billion from his personal fortune to support the foundation’s global initiatives.
Additionally, Soros established and finances the Central European University in Budapest, a prominent institution for social sciences research in the region.
7. Hansjörg Wyss
Hansjörg Wyss is a Swiss entrepreneur known for his philanthropy.
He founded and led Synthes USA until its sale in 2012 to Johnson & Johnson for $20.2 billion. Today, he has investments in biotech companies like Novocure and Molecular Partners.
In 2019, Wyss pledged $131 million to Harvard University. This donation is earmarked for the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, which he initially supported with a $125 million contribution in 2009.
He has donated over $400 million to various departments across the University over the years.
Additionally, he established the Wyss Foundation, dedicated to supporting innovative, lasting solutions that improve lives, empower communities, and strengthen connections to the land.
While primarily focused on conservation, the foundation also supports education initiatives, environmental journalism, social justice, and various other causes.
8. Jim Walton (and the Walton family as a whole)
Jim Walton, the son of Walmart’s founder Sam Walton donated in 2019, giving away $1.2 billion worth of the company’s stock.
The Walton family actively supports charitable causes through their organization, the Walton Family Foundation.
It concentrates on enhancing K-12 education, conserving rivers and oceans along with the communities they sustain, and investing in the Northwest Arkansas region and the Arkansas-Mississippi Delta.
9. Pierre Omidyar
At 31, eBay founder Pierre Omidyar became a millionaire. Over the years, he’s generously donated his wealth to various causes.
In 2015, Omidyar donated 10% of his eBay stock, valued at $269 million, to undisclosed charities.
He established the Omidyar Network, which backs both non-profit and for-profit ventures.
His philanthropy has donated over $1 billion, supporting causes like disaster relief and human rights programs.
10. Michael Bloomberg
Michael Bloomberg, the former Mayor of New York City and a successful businessman, has been extremely generous with his wealth over the years.
He’s considered one of the most generous philanthropists in America, having donated $9.5 billion to various causes. Notably, he made a remarkable $1.8 billion contribution to John Hopkins University. This donation enabled the university to offer admission to students regardless of their financial means, marking it as the largest gift ever received by an American higher education institution.
Through his philanthropic organization, Bloomberg Philanthropies, he distributed $3.3 billion in 2019.
Bloomberg has also committed to The Giving Pledge, a commitment shared by billionaires such as Warren Buffet, to donate a significant portion of their wealth to charitable causes.
11. Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates
Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates, co-founders of Microsoft, amassed a combined net worth of $133.3 billion, $6.1 billion. They primarily focus their philanthropic efforts on health and poverty alleviation, donating $33.4 billion over their lifetimes.
Despite their divorce after 27 years of marriage, the Gateses continue jointly leading the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, through which they channel most of their charitable contributions. Forbes still consolidates their donations as a single entity. In 2020, the foundation allocated $5.8 billion in grants, including funds towards Covid-19 research and vaccines.
Forbes has been dividing the foundation’s grantmaking since 2007 between the Gateses and fellow major donor Warren Buffett. Additionally, Melinda has contributed to philanthropy through her investment and incubation company, Pivotal Ventures.
12. MacKenzie Scott
MacKenzie Scott, the former spouse of Amazon’s founder Jeff Bezos, holds a net worth of $53.5 billion. Her philanthropic focus lies in tackling racial, gender, and economic inequality. Over her lifetime, she has donated $8.61 billion to various causes.
Despite not having a personal website or discussing her philanthropy publicly, Scott’s updates on Medium drew significant attention from the nonprofit sector. In less than two years, she has distributed over $8.6 billion to more than 780 organizations. Her donations target areas such as racial justice, gender equality, and public health.
In December 2021, Scott chose not to disclose the recipients of her latest donations in a Medium post, aiming to allow the nonprofits to share their stories independently. Following criticism for her lack of transparency, she announced plans to provide more information and revealed the launch of a website featuring a searchable database of her gifts.
13. Gordon & Betty Moore
Gordon & Betty Moore, the co-founder and former CEO of Intel, and his wife, launched the Moore Foundation in 2000. Their wealth primarily stems from Intel, amounting to a net worth of $11.1 billion. Their foundation focuses on supporting science, environmental initiatives, patient care, and projects in the Bay Area.
In September 2021, the Moore Foundation, alongside eight other organizations, including the Bezos Earth Fund and Bloomberg Philanthropies, pledged $5 billion over ten years to support biodiversity. The aim is to ensure that 30% of the planet’s crucial biodiversity hotspots are protected by 2030.
In 2021, the Moore Foundation awarded nearly $350 million in grants towards their philanthropic goals.
14. Jim & Marilyn Simons
Jim and Marilyn Simons are notable figures in the world of finance, with a net worth of $24.4 billion amassed through their hedge fund ventures. Their philanthropic efforts have primarily focused on advancing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) research and education.
Jim Simons, the founder of Renaissance Technologies, a hedge fund known for its quantitative trading strategies, alongside being a former mathematics professor, has channeled a significant portion of his wealth into charitable causes. In 1994, he and his wife Marilyn established the Simons Foundation, which has supported initiatives such as Math for America, a nonprofit organization dedicated to aiding high school math and science educators.
Furthermore, the Simons Foundation has contributed substantially to life science research, notably funding institutions like the New York Genome Center. In addition, they have been proactive in supporting autism research through donations to the Autism Research Initiative.
One of their most notable philanthropic gestures occurred in 2011 when they made a groundbreaking donation of $150 million to Stony Brook University, where Jim Simons previously worked.
15. Mark Zuckerberg & Priscilla Chan
Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta Platforms (formerly Facebook), and his wife Priscilla Chan, a doctor, are known for their philanthropy. Through their organization, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI), they focus on advancing science, education, and criminal justice reform. Since its establishment in 2015, CZI has donated $3 billion in grants. Their ambitious goals aim to cure, prevent, or manage all diseases.
In late 2021, CZI announced a new initiative worth $3.4 billion over ten years. This initiative aims to measure and analyze biological processes in the human body. It involves creating an institute for advanced biomedical imaging and a hub at Harvard University. These efforts utilize AI and machine learning to revolutionize biology and medicine.
Can you contact rich people asking for money?
While many individuals on the list have generously donated their fortunes to charities or causes they care about, it’s important to note that there are still millionaires who give money directly to individuals.
Numerous millionaires and billionaires have been recognized for donating to people who reach out to them for assistance.
Wondering how to contact wealthy individuals who donate money? You might think it’s impossible to reach someone like J.K. Rowling, right? Well, it’s not that simple.
However, there are ways to connect with affluent people willing to help.
The are various website that offer assistance for needs, including:
- Preventing homelessness, car repossession, foreclosure, or utility shut-off.
- Seeking help to start a new business.
- Applying for college grants.
- And more.
You can also visit AnonymousMillionare.org, a website created by a generous millionaire who offers financial assistance. You can request money through the site here.
How to ask millionaires for money
How do you contact wealthy individuals to request money?
What should you say?
In this section, I’ll provide tips on how to request money from wealthy individuals.
Here are some straightforward tips for reaching out to rich people for financial assistance:
Don’t lie
Being truthful and sincere is essential when requesting financial assistance. If someone wealthy supports you and discovers deceit, it can lead to serious consequences, possibly legal ones. Moreover, lying to obtain money is unethical.
Be realistic
Requesting $1,000,000 for your dream home might not be the most practical approach. On the other hand, seeking $1,000 to cover your rent this month is a more reasonable request.
While it’s not impossible to ask for large amounts of money, it’s advisable to have a specific purpose, such as funding a college education or launching a business, for utilizing such funds.
Write the letter in first person
When writing your letter, use first person perspective like “I’m seeking financial support for my startup” instead of “John Doe is seeking financial support for his startup.”
This personalizes the letter and increases the chance of connecting with the reader.
Be polite and don’t beg or be too demanding
It’s important to be polite when asking for money. Remember, it’s their money, and they can decide how to use it. Avoid being demanding or begging.
It’s best to refrain from phrases like “I need cash right now,” “Please send me money,” or “You’re my last hope for money.”
Being polite increases the chances of getting help. If you demonstrate how their donation can make a meaningful impact, such as preventing homelessness or funding education, people are more likely to help than if you simply ask for money without a clear purpose.
Say “Thank you” in advance
This relates to the idea of politeness mentioned earlier. Make sure to thank the person for reading your message. You could say something like, “Thank you for taking the time to read my message. I appreciate that you must receive many requests like this.”
Let them know that you appreciate their time, even if they’re unable to assist you.
Make sure you’re concise
People, regardless of wealth, lead busy lives. Keep your letter and email concise, and avoid excessive elaboration.
Clearly state your situation and why you need the money, along with your plans for its use. Avoid lengthy explanations in your initial request; simply express that if they’re interested, they can reach out for more information.
Proofread your letter or email
Make sure to thoroughly review your letter or email for typos, grammatical errors, or spelling mistakes. You want to give the impression that you’ve dedicated time and thought to composing your letter.
The bottom line
It’s important to understand that this isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme. Instead, it’s a resource for assistance during times of need.
It’s reassuring to know that some individuals are willing to share their wealth with others.
It’s fascinating to observe the causes that wealthy individuals such as Warren Buffet and Chuck Feeney choose to support.
While you might not be able to reach out to the individuals listed above directly, many donate to charities and non-profits.
There are various reasons why you might seek to contact generous individuals who are willing to donate money.
Maybe you need assistance with your mortgage payments.
Or perhaps you have a career goal that requires financial support?
If so, consider reaching out to billionaires and millionaires who are offering financial assistance.