Roughly one in every fifteen children in developing countries dies before the age of five, generally due to hunger-related causes, while around 98% of world hunger is in underdeveloped countries, according to dosomething.org.
Governments and organizations try to bridge the gap and get stores to those who need it; to feed the hungry.
Still other organizations like WE Charity are actively trying to empower people and communities in developing countries.
But what of individuals who have amassed the wealth of nations?
Those who have created companies, made wise investments and forever changed the landscape of the business world?
They also want to do good in the world – and help those who are hungry and in need of assistance.
Here is a list of such entrepreneurs turned philanthropists and how they are making their marks in the nonprofit world:
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Warren Buffett
Ever since 2000, Warren Buffett has donated over 46 billion dollars to charity.
It is also the reason why he is known as one of the top philanthropists of the world.
He is the CEO (Chief Executive Officer) and Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, and as such, he is worth in the region of 96 billion dollars.
This figure puts him as one of the richest individuals in the world.
Over the years, he has donated to the likes of the following:
- Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
- Sherwood Foundation
- Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation
- NoVo Foundation
- Howard G. Buffett Foundation
In 2012, Buffett donated stocks worth more than a billion dollars to each of the foundations owned by his children.
It came to 3 billion dollars in all. Hence, it is one of the biggest donations ever made as well.
Buffett has donated a lion’s share of his wealth for various charitable causes.
Apart from that, he has created a roadmap for the other successful people to do the same via The Giving Pledge.
Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey is a self-made celebrity that makes her philanthropy even more remarkable than it already is.
She grew up in a poor family in Mississippi and had to deal with sexual abuse.
However, she topped all the adversity that came her way and found an enviable level of success.
Through her reports and talk show, Winfrey has highlighted the needs of people around the globe.
Apart from that, she has given millions of dollars through her own charitable foundation- the Oprah Winfrey Charitable Foundation.
Her foundation has borne the duties of the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy Foundation and the Angel Network.
It has contributed at least 140 million dollars over the years to the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls.
In her role as a philanthropist, she has also lent her support to causes, such as Time’s Up, the Museum of African American History and Culture, and N Street Village.
Winfrey can be called the very epitome of philanthropy.
She has also shown that you do not have to be from a wealthy family to be a philanthropist and that you can always donate to causes that mean the most to you.
Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan is regarded as the greatest player to have graced the National Basketball Association.
However, he has gone beyond that to become one of the most well-known celebrity philanthropists in the world.
Ever since he became the principal owner of Charlotte Hornets, he has assisted the team in giving at least 3 million dollars to several causes.
It includes the likes of military veteran organizations, feeding hungry people, and education.
In his capacity as an individual philanthropist, he has donated millions of dollars to Friends of the Children.
He also donated 2 million dollars to the relief efforts for Hurricane Florence.
From 2008 he has also served as the Chief Wish Ambassador of Make-A-Wish.
He has also donated 10 million dollars for opening a couple of medical clinics in his hometown.
Jordan is a perfect example of the fact that you can keep growing all your life.
He has done this by contributing in every way that he can to make a significant difference in the lives of others.
Mark Zuckerberg
At a young age, Zuckerberg found success.
He was still a college student starting the website that would later become one of the most popular social media platforms – Facebook.
Along with his wife Priscilla Chan, he pledged to donate around 99% of their wealth to various charities in their lifetime.
At present, they are together worth 114 billion dollars, which secures their place as one of the leading philanthropists of the world.
They have started the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative.
It offers equal opportunities for all, thus helping unlock the potential they have within.
Just as Gates did, Zuckerberg made his substantial donation in the year 2017.
At that time, he donated stocks worth at least $1.8 billion dollars to the Chan Zuckerberg Foundation.
He has funded various programs dealing in areas such as science, education, and justice.
In a way, the family has made a significant difference to the world around us.
Their professional and personal net worth is substantial, to put it mildly.
Hence, it is expected that they would be well-regarded as one of the leading philanthropists for many years to come.
They have shown that compassion and effort can make philanthropy work.
