10 Most Famous Philanthropist Entrepreneurs

The business world is filled with successful entrepreneurs who have not only built profitable enterprises but have also dedicated a significant portion of their wealth to philanthropy. These philanthropist entrepreneurs have made a remarkable impact on numerous causes, improving the lives of countless individuals worldwide. In this article, we’ll explore the lives and contributions of 10 famous philanthropist entrepreneurs, highlighting their dedication to making the world a better place.

10 – Craig Newmark

Newmark, who founded Craigslist, has stated his belief in the importance of using technology to enable those without a voice to have their opinions heard. He set up Craigconnects in 2011, which links visitors to educational articles and charities, providing information on issues that are key to ordinary people, including consumer protection and voter suppression. He also donates his time by serving as advisor or board member with several charitable organisations.

09 – Marc Benioff

Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff is well-known for his philanthropic efforts. Alongside his business success, Benioff has made a significant impact through the Salesforce Foundation, which promotes corporate philanthropy and supports various causes, including education, healthcare, and equality. He is also a proponent of the 1-1-1 model, encouraging companies to contribute 1% of their equity, time, and products to charitable organizations.

08 – Tony Hawk

Professional skateboarder and entrepreneur Tony Hawk has used his success to support the skateboarding community and empower youth. The Tony Hawk Foundation, established in 2002, has helped build over 600 skate parks across the United States, providing safe and accessible spaces for young skateboarders to practice and develop their skills.

07 – Charles Phillips

The Charles Phillips charity organisation is named after the CEO of the world’s third-largest provider of enterprise software apps, Infor, which provides software to over 75,000 companies in every sector of industry. His charity foundation, which he runs with his wife Karen Phillips and others, has given out over 100 grants since 2016, focusing on providing help for single-parent families, opportunities in STEM education for children, and support for wounded veterans.

06 – Warren Buffett

One of the world’s wealthiest individuals, Warren Buffett, has made a lasting impact through his philanthropic initiatives. Buffett has pledged to donate 99% of his wealth to charity, with the majority going to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. His commitment to giving back has inspired other wealthy individuals to follow suit, creating a ripple effect of generosity.

05 – Michael Bloomberg

In a similar vein, Michael Bloomberg, the former mayor of New York City and founder of Bloomberg LP, stands out as yet another entrepreneur with a pronounced philanthropic focus. With the backing of Bloomberg Philanthropies, a wide range of causes, such as climate change, public health, education, and the arts, receive vital support. Accordingly, he has contributed billions of dollars to these initiatives, thereby solidifying his unwavering commitment to leaving a lasting and meaningful impact on the world.

04 – Mark Zuckerberg

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg is no stranger to philanthropy. Along with his wife, Priscilla Chan, he founded the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, which focuses on science, education, and justice & opportunity. The couple has pledged to donate 99% of their Facebook shares during their lifetimes to support their philanthropic endeavors. Back in 2010, he donated $100m to support public schools in Newark, New Jersey, and in 2017, he and his wife Priscilla Chan founded the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, which supports causes as diverse as education, housing and science to the tune of $1.9bn.

03 – Richard Branson

Virgin Group founder Richard Branson has long been an advocate for social and environmental causes. Through Virgin Unite, Branson supports various initiatives, such as clean energy, global health, and ocean conservation. He is also a founding member of The Elders, a group of global leaders working for peace, justice, and human rights.

02 – Oprah Winfrey

The phenomenally successful talk show host has been a prolific philanthropist, initially through her Angel Network, which was set up in 2000. The network handed out hundreds of grants and scholarships to people with ideas for initiatives to improve society, including six $1m grants to US charter schools. Since the end of the network’s operations in 2011, Winfrey has continued her philanthropic work through the Oprah Winfrey Foundation.

Oprah Winfrey’s influence extends far beyond her media empire. Her philanthropic efforts have made a significant impact on education, health, and social issues. The Oprah Winfrey Foundation has donated millions to organizations and initiatives globally, while the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa provides quality education for underprivileged girls. Winfrey’s generosity and commitment to empowering others are truly inspiring.

01 – Bill and Melinda Gates

The founder of Microsoft and his wife have regularly been recognised as the biggest philanthropists in the US, with most of their work being done through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. In 2017 alone, they donated $4.78bn to charitable causes, and by the end of that year, the foundation had endowments of $50bn, with Bill Gates having donated $28bn.

By means of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, they have devoted billions of dollars to initiatives focused on global health, poverty alleviation, and education. Consequently, their work has had a profound impact on countless lives, and in turn, continues to serve as a source of inspiration for others to embrace the spirit of giving back.

Undoubtedly, these ten philanthropist entrepreneurs have convincingly demonstrated that success in business can indeed be harnessed to create positive change in the world. Through their unwavering dedication to giving back and making a tangible difference, they not only serve as an inspiration to future entrepreneurs but also act as a poignant reminder to all of us about the transformative power of philanthropy.