Podcast Center
Video Center
Webcasts
Resource Center
Events
June 15, 2015 at 06:56 AM
With the recent addition of 10 individuals and families, the global Giving Pledge initiative created by Warren Buffett and Bill and Melinda Gates has grown to 137 signatories.
Launched in 2010, the Giving Pledge is a multigenerational endeavor that encourages wealthy people to give the majority of their wealth to philanthropic causes.
The 137 pledgers range in age from 31 to 99, and represent 14 countries. In the U.S, they are residents of 26 states and the District of Columbia, with the largest contingents from New York and California.
“When we started the Giving Pledge five years ago, we had no idea we’d get this many people to come together,” Bill Gates said in a statement. “It has really grown, first in the U.S. but more recently all over the world.”
Gates said the hope was to intensify philanthropy and encourage people to start their giving at a younger age.
“It’s exciting to see people becoming bolder and more thoughtful in their giving.”
Following are the 10 new pledgers, with information provided by the Foundation Center’s GlassPockets service:
Judy Faulkner
Joined the Giving Pledge: May 7
Estimated net worth: $2.6 billion
Forbes rank: 236
Industry: Health care information technology
Born: 1944
Residence: Madison, Wisconsin
Related foundations: Epic Heritage Foundation
Giving interests: Health care
Harold Grinspoon and Diane Troderman
Joined the Giving Pledge: May 8
Estimated net worth: Not available
Forbes rank: Not ranked
Industry: Real estate investment
Born: Diane Troderman — not available; Harold Grinspoon — 1929
Residence: Springfield, Massachusetts
Related foundations: Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation
Giving interests: Jewish identity and community, Jewish organizations
Brad and Kim Keywell
Joined the Giving Pledge: June 2
Estimated net worth: Not available
Forbes rank: Not ranked
Industry: Internet consumer services
Born: Brad Keywell — 1969; Kim Keywell — 1969
Residence: Glencoe, Illinois
Related foundations: Keywell Foundation
Giving interests: Child advocacy, education, entrepreneurship, international affairs, urban revitalization
Ruth and Bill Scott
Joined the Giving Pledge: March 2
Estimated net worth: Not available
Forbes rank: Not ranked
Industry: Investment, banking finance, insurance
Born: Ruth Scott — not available; Bill Scott — 1931
Residence: Omaha, Nebraska
Related foundations: William and Ruth Scott Family Foundation
Sunny and Sherly Varkey
Joined the Giving Pledge: June 2
Estimated net worth: $2.1 billion
Forbes rank: 949
Industry: Education services
Born: Sherly Varkey — not available; Sunny Varkey — 1957
