STORIES: The Philanthropists

Philanthropy is a relatively young field in terms of innovation (#GivingTuesday, microgiving), but it can trace it roots to ancient traditions.

Joan & Irwin Jacobs: On a Very Different Level

Philanthropy is a relatively young field in terms of innovation (#GivingTuesday, microgiving), but it can trace it roots to ancient traditions.

A global benefactor of scientific inquiry, Fred Kavli embodied Andrew Carnegie’s observation that the “scientific man of today lives in an atmosphere of wonder, arousing all his higher powers and compelling reverence.”

Fred Kavli: A Laser-Like Focus

A global benefactor of scientific inquiry, Fred Kavli embodied Andrew Carnegie’s observation that the “scientific man of today lives in an atmosphere of wonder, arousing all his higher powers and compelling reverence.”

While the Cadbury name is all but synonymous with chocolate, the family has long placed as much emphasis on philanthropy and good works as it has on its business ventures.

The Cadbury Family: A Sweet Tradition of Giving

While the Cadbury name is all but synonymous with chocolate, the family has long placed as much emphasis on philanthropy and good works as it has on its business ventures.

Truly exceptional philanthropists are about as common as four-leaf clovers. So when you find a whole family full of givers, it is like stumbling across an entire field of the green good luck charms.

The Haas Family: A Philadelphia Institution

Truly exceptional philanthropists are about as common as four-leaf clovers. So when you find a whole family full of givers, it is like stumbling across an entire field of the green good luck charms.

Dmitry Zimin is many things. A Russian, a scientist, a businessman, and a philanthropist.

Dmitry Zimin: Russian for Philanthropy

Dmitry Zimin is many things. A Russian, a scientist, a businessman, and a philanthropist.

It is a characteristically direct comment. “I think it’s a bit ironic how much praise philanthropists get because ...

Fiona & Stanley Druckenmiller: Let the Gifts do the Talking

It is a characteristically direct comment. “I think it’s a bit ironic how much praise philanthropists get because …

Kazuo Inamori is not your average businessman, and that is not simply because of his remarkable success.

Kazuo Inamori: Zen and the art of Philanthropy

Kazuo Inamori is not your average businessman, and that is not simply because of his remarkable success.

Gordon Moore’s impact in Silicon Valley is impossible to overstate, and his success has brought him greater wealth than he could ever have imagined.

Betty & Gordon Moore: The Moores’ Law of Giving

Gordon Moore’s impact in Silicon Valley is impossible to overstate, and his success has brought him greater wealth than he could ever have imagined.

Big Bird is arguably the most famous bird in the world. He certainly does not act like it though.

Big Bird: Feathered Philanthropy

Big Bird is arguably the most famous bird in the world. He certainly does not act like it though.

The names of the great and the good grace countless trusts, monuments to wealthy benefactors now long dead.

Chuck Feeney: Everybody’s (Anonymous) Hero

The names of the great and the good grace countless trusts, monuments to wealthy benefactors now long dead.

As a media tycoon, Ted Turner knows all about staying in the news. At the age of 78, Turner remains a steady presence, featuring regularly across the press in a variety of incarnations.

Ted Turner: Big Dreams for a Better World

As a media tycoon, Ted Turner knows all about staying in the news. At the age of 78, Turner remains a steady presence, featuring regularly across the press in a variety of incarnations.

Mike Bloomberg is a man who never knowingly takes the easy route. He could put his feet up and live the good life.

Michael Bloomberg: Always Up to the Challenge

Mike Bloomberg is a man who never knowingly takes the easy route. He could put his feet up and live the good life.

Depending on where you get your news, Agnes Gund is defined as many laudable things; a philanthropist, a collector, a patron, an advocate.

Agnes Gund: The Art of Giving

Depending on where you get your news, Agnes Gund is defined as many laudable things; a philanthropist, a collector, a patron, an advocate.

While they may not be particularly ostentatious about it, Pam and Pierre Omidyar are voracious when it comes to their approach to philanthropy.

Pam & Pierre Omidyar: Philanthropists for the 21st Century

While they may not be particularly ostentatious about it, Pam and Pierre Omidyar are voracious when it comes to their approach to philanthropy.

Author and Scotsman Robert Louis Stevenson is quoted as saying, “Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant.”

Sir Tom Hunter: Scottish Tradition of Giving

Author and Scotsman Robert Louis Stevenson is quoted as saying, “Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant.”

Mei Hing Chak has seen incredible success in her life, often after pushing against the traditional way of doing things.

Mei Hing Chak: China’s First Lady of Philanthropy

Mei Hing Chak has seen incredible success in her life, often after pushing against the traditional way of doing things.

One might be inclined to think that there is nothing that Sir James D. Wolfensohn cannot do.

Sir James D. Wolfensohn: Philanthropy Through Leadership

One might be inclined to think that there is nothing that Sir James D. Wolfensohn cannot do.

Shelby White has elevated philanthropy to an art form, with both style and substance in all her decisions. Frankly, she is very good at giving money away.

Shelby White: Giving with Passion

Shelby White has elevated philanthropy to an art form, with both style and substance in all her decisions. Frankly, she is very good at giving money away.

Everyone has a hero. Someone to look up to. Someone to emulate. These heroes run the gamut from family members to international celebrities.

Kristine McDivitt Tompkins: A World of Inspiration

Everyone has a hero. Someone to look up to. Someone to emulate. These heroes run the gamut from family members to international celebrities.

There is a new type of philanthropist on the scene. Thanks to the fortunes made in Silicon Valley, there is a fresh crop of billionaires who are eager to, in tech-parlance, disrupt the current system.

Jeff Skoll: A Philanthropist for the Connected Generation

There is a new type of philanthropist on the scene. Thanks to the fortunes made in Silicon Valley, there is a fresh crop of billionaires who are eager to, in tech-parlance, disrupt the current system.

Unlike many a millionaire, Julian Robertson Jr. has been enjoying the opportunity to give away his wealth. He made his money in the finance world, where he is still regarded as a wizard of Wall Street.

Julian Robertson Jr.: An Opportunity to Inspire

Unlike many a millionaire, Julian Robertson Jr. has been enjoying the opportunity to give away his wealth. He made his money in the finance world, where he is still regarded as a wizard of Wall Street.

Western Indian Vegetable Products Ltd was an undeniably successful company. Successful enough that it allowed Azim Premji to live a comfortable life as a child in India, and later to have the enviable experience of studying engineering at Stanford University.

Azim Premji: Pledging to Give in India

Western Indian Vegetable Products Ltd was an undeniably successful company. Successful enough that it allowed Azim Premji to live a comfortable life as a child in India, and later to have the enviable experience of studying engineering at Stanford University.

Classes, tests, applications, planning – a lot time and effort goes into preparing for college.

Lenfest, Marguerite & H. F. “Gerry”: Finding Opportunity in Challenges

Classes, tests, applications, planning – a lot time and effort goes into preparing for college.

Over six decades into their marriage, Joan and Sanford Weill remain a philanthropic powerhouse.

Joan and Sanford Weill: Raising the Stakes

Over six decades into their marriage, Joan and Sanford Weill remain a philanthropic powerhouse.

When former Indian President K. R. Narayanan bestowed the Padma Bhushan Award upon Ratan Tata for his distinguished service to the country, he eagerly mentioned that he went to university on a Tata scholarship.

Ratan Tata: Redefining Philanthropy in India

When former Indian President K. R. Narayanan bestowed the Padma Bhushan Award upon Ratan Tata for his distinguished service to the country, he eagerly mentioned that he went to university on a Tata scholarship.

Building homes, building art collections, building futures. Building has long been a path to success for Eli Broad.

Eli Broad: Building a Better Future

Building homes, building art collections, building futures. Building has long been a path to success for Eli Broad.

Henry John Heinz once said, “Make all you can honestly; save all you can prudently; give all you can wisely.”

The Heinz Family: Many Varieties of Giving

Henry John Heinz once said, “Make all you can honestly; save all you can prudently; give all you can wisely.”