Wealthy People Want to Give More. Why Aren’t They?
A small minority of the ultra-wealthy give at the highest levels. Here’s what they do, and how more donors can emulate them.
By Sofia Michelakis
Contributor
Tom Golisano Pledges $253 Million to 6 Children’s Hospitals
The founder of the payroll giant Paychex has given away more than $1 billion, with a significant share going to help children.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Reporter
Donors Gave $125 Million for Foreign Aid After U.S. Cuts
It’s possible private foundations and individual donors gave much more, but those gifts won’t be reported for many months.
By Thalia Beaty. Associated Press
Contributor
A Los Angeles Couple’s No-Nonsense Charity Helps the Working Poor
Greg and Jodi Perlman started The Change Reaction to help people in their city stay afloat during times of crisis. They’ve given $60 million to 43,000 families over the past six years.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Reporter
MacKenzie Scott Gifts Continue Following Amazon Stock Sale
Charities announce new gifts totaling more than $150 million as the billionaire donor retains her focus on DEI and climate.
By Ben Gose
Senior Editor
Progressive Nonprofits Condemn Trump’s Targeting of George Soros and His Foundations
Open Society Foundations issued a statement saying they “unequivocally condemn terrorism and do not fund terrorism.”
By Thalia Beaty. Associated Press
Contributor
Fewer Rich Donors Gave Last Year, While Young Donors Gained Ground
The 2025 Bank of America Study of Philanthropy finds that giving remains on a downward trajectory, even among the very affluent, but volunteering is up.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Reporter
MacKenzie Scott Gives $70 Million to UNCF to Financially Strengthen HBCUs
The gift is one of Scott’s largest ever and among the first to be publicly disclosed in 2025.
By Glenn Gamboa
AP Business Writer
Shonda Rhimes Gift to Dartmouth Will Result in a Namesake Dorm
The television mogul is giving $15 million for a new residence hall. It will be the first building at the university named for a woman or Black alumna.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Reporter
Patagonia’s ‘Dirtbag’ Billionaire Is Out to Transform Philanthropy
David Gelles’s new book examines the life of Yvon Chouinard, an entrepreneurial outdoorsman whose $3 billion company is now giving its profits to a charity fighting the environmental crisis.
By Tamara Straus
Contributor
I Said No to Wealth Hoarding and Left My Family Foundation Behind
The author learned lessons from her family’s approach to philanthropy that convinced her a different path was needed — for her and the larger sector.
By Katherine Hayes
Contributor
$50 Million Gift Continues Billionaire’s Run of Medical Center Contributions
Plus, a South Dakota public school system and university are sharing a $33 million donation that will provide students and teachers scholarships.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Reporter
Philanthropy’s Road Forward: 6 Takeaways From Traveling the U.S. in Precarious Times
Over seven weeks, 22 book tour events, and discussions with thousands of funders, the message was clear: the structures of the past are damaging the sector and must change.
By Dimple Abichandani
Contributor
Why Big Gifts Dropped in 2025 and Will Soon Rise
Tax-code changes and other political and economic forces are causing some ultra-wealthy donors to wait until the end of the year or to give quietly.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Reporter
And $2 Billion More — Phil and Penny Knight Strike Again With Mega-Gift
Their latest gift to Oregon Health & Science University for its Knight Cancer Institute is the biggest donation the Nike co-founder and his wife have ever given.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Reporter
Weills Give $100 Million for Tech-Driven Cancer Research
Plus, tiny Harcum College, whose enrollment stands at about 1,150, received a $40 million bequest. Three other institutions received big gifts.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Reporter