Throughout history, those individuals that have an abundance of goods, wealth, and property have been looked up to as leaders of the nation they lived in. Once nations began interacting with each other, the importance of global issues took center front in the causes of philanthropists. The past 100 years have shown how humankind battles through social welfare problems, world wars, and mass epidemics. Here are some of the many ways that pioneer philanthropists used their massive wealth to better the world.
1919
Being black and a woman may seem like a problem for anyone back in the beginning of the 20th century, but Madam C.J. Walker was both. She was also very wealthy. Seeing a need for the creation of cosmetic products for women of African American decent, she created a thriving company that made her a multi-millionaire. While she was alive, Walker donated to many political and secular causes, and upon her death, she gave her entire estate to worthwhile causes.
1949
The Cold War brought many social and political problems for the American people, but it also brought devastation to many poor regions of the world. Eventually, President Truman called upon the wealthy Americans to provide humanitarian support across the globe. The Ford Foundation and Rockefeller Group answered the call and helped stimulate the economy of Southeast Asia and Latin America.
1953
A turning point in the world of “have” and “have nots” occurred when General Electric created a program that offered financial matching of gifts. The Corporate Alumni Program matched any donation an employee made to colleges or universities. With the massive positive newsprint and ads supporting the program, Americans were introduced to how the ability of corporate money could be used for the common good.
1985
The National Network of Women’s Funds was established with the unification of 20 women-focused groups. Women’s issues were struggling to stay in focus at the time, and with the merger and organization of the top groups, the scattered monies were used in collective form to provide a voice the groups did not have individually. Once they became an organized group, the collective provided over $30 million a year in grants to struggling women’s groups.
2003
The Gates Foundation pledged $100,000,000 over 10 years to the Avahan Program in 2003. Seen as one of the first truly global enterprises to combat and prevent deadly diseases such as AIDS, even the World Health Organization has applauded the help the program has invested into the impoverished areas. Working with non-governmental companies and organizations, the battle is still going on to conquer the virulent disease.
2010
Warren Buffett is one of the most prolific modern philanthropists. Vowing to give away 99 percent of his massive fortune, he has been tirelessly doing so. Working with Bill Gates, Buffett gathered friends and associates in places like the Chris Sacca House and requested they pledge to give at least one-half of all their wealth to worthwhile causes or philanthropic ventures. Gates and Buffet hope this pledge will begin to combat society’s most pressing problems.
2012
In a surprising twist to philanthropy, New York City requested that everyone celebrate the spirit of giving by making donations to the First Giving Tuesday. This was the Tuesday after Cyber Monday and Black Friday. Although the giving spirit was hesitant the first year, in the following four years, donation money grew by more than 470 percent. This is one of the first times a city has garnered the help from the average person to support a cause with this much public support.
2015
Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, celebrated Giving Tuesday with a pledge that over their lifetime they will give away 99 percent of all Facebook shares they own. Rather than establish and run their own foundation, the pair said they preferred the flexibility of choosing young entrepreneurs to invest in to ensure the donated money has a great impact on humanity.
2016
Beginning the program with the people in the Ngirini community of Mozambique, Chris Sacca’s charity, called Charity: Water, began a program of bringing clean water to surrounding areas. Funding over 38,000 water associated projects, more than 9,000,000 people now have clean drinking water thanks to Charity: Water. The charity has recently expanded to include sanitation programs.
2017
Facebook’s co-founder, Moskovits and his wife Cari Tuna, established the Good Ventures Foundation. Focused on the welfare of animals and research in artificial intelligence, the foundation is concentrating on the future of humankind. Proving he is a true philanthropist, Moskovits gave the foundation $298,000,000 the first year alone.
2018
$100K for 100 is a foundation established by Bill Cummings. Fighting for better opportunities for local Bostonians, the foundation offers 100 grants to nonprofit organizations working toward better healthcare, education, and other social services. Cummings donated $35,000,000 in 2018.
For the past 100 years, philanthropists have worked to make the world a better place. If you had $500,000,000 to help humanity, what would you do with it?
