Bequests Put Conservative Billionaire Richard Scaife Atop List of America’s 50 Biggest Donors
The banking and oil heir left bequests totaling more than $750 million. A little-known theater owner came in second, with $605 million in donations. Read about the trends and some of the most interesting donors.
By Drew Lindsay and Maria Di Mento
Media mogul Gerry Lenfest, steel magnate David Dornsife, and Hyatt hotel scion J.B. Pritzker were among those making donations last year that were noteworthy for both their size and their purpose.
These Big Apple philanthropists demonstrate that not every fresh idea is coming from the booming tech corridors on the West Coast.
By Drew Lindsay
Senior Editor, Special Projects
How The Chronicle Compiled Its List of the Top 50 Donors
The Philanthropy 50 shows how much wealthy Americans contributed to charitable organizations last year.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor
Find out how many of the people on the Philanthropy 50 are also on the Forbes 400 and how many are Giving Pledge signers.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor
Big Gifts That Didn’t Make the List
The Philanthropy 50 counted contributions only to charitable groups and includes pledges but not payments on those pledges.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor
Singing From the Rooftops to Share a Love of Opera
An experimental arts nonprofit in Los Angeles overcomes technical challenges to perform in unusual places, like rooftops and limousines.
By NICOLE WALLACE
Features Editor