Top Billionaire Philanthropists Gave $22.4 Billion in 2025

Mike Bloomberg led the list, followed by Bill Gates and Paul Allen's estate

Mar. 10, 2026 at 8:52pm

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The 50 American individuals and couples who gave or pledged the most to charity in 2025 committed $22.4 billion to foundations, universities, hospitals and more. Mike Bloomberg led the Chronicle of Philanthropy's Philanthropy 50 list, followed by Microsoft co-founders Bill Gates and the late Paul Allen. However, some experts raised concerns about the concentration of giving among a small number of ultra-wealthy individuals and the lack of women donors on the list.

Why it matters

The concentration of philanthropic giving among a small number of ultra-wealthy individuals raises questions about democratic accountability and whether their priorities define the public good. There are also concerns about the ethical behavior of some top donors and the lack of participation from the wealthiest Americans on the list.

The details

The total amount given by the top 50 donors in 2025 was 35% above the inflation-adjusted $16.6 billion in 2024. Higher education, hospitals, medical research, foundations and donor-advised funds drew the biggest gifts. However, the giving is highly concentrated, with Mike Bloomberg alone accounting for 19% of the $22.4 billion and the top 10 donors accounting for nearly three-quarters of the total. Some experts noted the absence of prominent donors like MacKenzie Scott, who says she gave $7.1 billion in 2025 but did not provide sufficient information to be included on the list.

  • The Chronicle of Philanthropy released its annual Philanthropy 50 list on March 10, 2026.

The players

Mike Bloomberg

A media entrepreneur and former mayor of New York City, Bloomberg led the Chronicle's Philanthropy 50 list by giving away over $4 billion in 2025.

Bill Gates

The co-founder of Microsoft, Gates was the second-highest donor on the list, following Bloomberg.

Paul Allen

The co-founder of Microsoft, Allen died in 2018, but his estate is still being settled and was the third-highest donor on the list.

MacKenzie Scott

The ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, Scott says she gave $7.1 billion in 2025, but was not included on the list due to insufficient information provided.

Denny Sanford

A businessman who was investigated for alleged possession of child pornography in 2023, but ultimately not charged, and ranked 14th among the top 50 donors of 2025.

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What they’re saying

“The top 50 donors gave more in 2025 than they had since 2021. But this growth is highly concentrated. Mike Bloomberg alone accounts for 19% of the $22.4 billion they gave in 2025, and the top 10 accounted for nearly three-quarters of what all 50 gave to charity.”

— Lindsey McDougle, Associate Professor of Public Affairs and Administration, Rutgers University – Newark

“I find it odd that MacKenzie Scott isn't on this list. She says she gave $7.1 billion in 2025. If she had met the Chronicle of Philanthropy's criteria, that would have landed her in first place by far. Unfortunately, the Chronicle says that MacKenzie Scott has never provided sufficient information about her generosity since becoming a major donor on her own, following her 2019 divorce from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. And that leaves her off the list year after year.”

— Hans Peter Schmitz, Bob and Carol Mattocks Distinguished Professor in Nonprofit Leadership, North Carolina State University

“The reputation of Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, one of the world's biggest donors, is also getting tarnished. In February 2026, he apologized to the staff of the Gates Foundation for his ties to Jeffrey Epstein.”

— Hans Peter Schmitz, Bob and Carol Mattocks Distinguished Professor in Nonprofit Leadership, North Carolina State University

What’s next

The Chronicle of Philanthropy is expected to release its 2026 Philanthropy 50 list in early 2027, which will provide further insight into the trends and priorities of the top billionaire philanthropists.

The takeaway

The concentration of philanthropic giving among a small number of ultra-wealthy individuals raises concerns about the influence of a financial elite on societal priorities, the lack of participation from the wealthiest Americans, and the need for greater transparency and ethical accountability in the world of high-dollar charitable donations.