The 10 biggest philanthropists in America

Philanthropy is considered by some to be the cornerstone of a stable and free society, in part because it can help improve people’s lives and provide them with opportunities that may have not been as easily attainable otherwise.

In 2023, the nation’s 50 largest donors gave over $11.9 billion, according to the Chronicle of Philanthropy, with those donations including efforts to combat antisemitism, support women’s rights, or even further develop AI related tools.

To compile the list, the magazine said it spoke with dozens of charities, philanthropists, and representatives, to find out more about large public donations made last year.

We’ve compiled a list of America’s top 10 donors, their source of wealth, and how much they contributed to their biggest gifts.

10. Bernard Marcus

Wealth Source: Retail, Home Depot Co-founder
Total Giving: $233,000,000
Biggest Gifts: Marcus Foundation

9. Melinda French Gates

Source of Wealth: Technology
Total Giving: $249,900,000
Biggest Gift: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

8. Pam and Pierre Omidyar

Source of Wealth: Technology
Total Giving: $264,000,000
Biggest Gift: AI Collaborative, Democracy Fund, First Look Media

7. Eric and Wendy Schmidt

Source of Wealth: Technology
Total Giving: $306,300,000
Biggest Gift: Eric and Wendy Schmidt Fund for Strategic Innovation; Schmidt Ocean Institute; and Schmidt Family Foundation

6. Franklin Antonio

Source of Wealth: Technology
Total Giving: $400,000,000
Biggest Gift: Science Research, SETI Institute and Summer Science Program

5. John and Laura Arnold

Source of Wealth: Finance
Total Giving: $483,600,000
Biggest Gift: Laura and John Arnold Foundation

4. Warren Buffett

Source of Wealth: Finance
Total Giving: $893,305,350
Biggest Gift: Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation; Sherwood Foundation; Howard G. Buffett Foundation; NoVo Foundation; and one other group

3. Michael and Susan Dell

Source of Wealth: Technology
Total Giving: $975,903,850
Biggest Gift: Michael and Susan Dell Foundation; Michael and Susan Dell Donor Advised Fund

2. Penny and Phil Knight

Source of Wealth: Retail; Manufacturing
Total Giving: $1,242,253,250
Biggest Gift: Knight Foundation; 1803 Fund; donor-advised fund; U. of Oregon Foundation; and other groups

1. Michael Bloomberg

Source of Wealth: Media
Total Giving: $3,000,000,000
Biggest Gift: Arts, education, environment, public health, and programs aimed at improving city governments around the world