
The 50 American individuals and couples who gave or pledged the most to charity in 2025 committed US$22.4 billion to foundations, universities, hospitals and more. That total was 35% above an inflation-adjusted $16.6 billion in 2024, according to the Chronicle of Philanthropy’s latest annual tally of these donations. Media entrepreneur and former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg led the Chronicle’s Philanthropy 50 list, followed by Microsoft co-founders Bill Gates and Paul Allen.
Main Idea: Mike Bloomberg led the biggest U.S. charity donors in 2025, while Bill Gates and the estate of Paul Allen also ranked near the top.
Key Points:
When ultrawealthy donors like Mike Bloomberg and the Gates family steer billions, public needs like schools, health care, and democracy can reflect a few private priorities instead of broad public input.
Large gifts to hospitals, medical research, and aid groups can fund services and research that may help patients and communities.
Rate how each entity in this article affected the American people.
Leads the philanthropy ranking and is the central donor discussed in the article.
Mentioned as a major donor whose absence from the list is a substantive point.
Named top donor on the list; his estate is discussed as part of the ranking.
Cited through Jeff Bezos’s family context and MacKenzie Scott’s prior connection to the company’s founder.
Publishes the annual Philanthropy 50 list that the article is built around.
Mentioned in relation to MacKenzie Scott and the Bezos family’s UNICEF pledge.
Recipient of a major announced donation from Phil and Penny Knight.
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Sign in to commentNamed donor whose planned gift is cited as part of the donor roundup.
Named donor whose specific charitable gift is cited as an example.