The Giving Pledge was meant to turbocharge philanthropy. Few billionaires got on board.

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: NBC News/CNBC

Aug. 7, 2025, 6:32 PM EDT / Source: CNBC


In June 2010, Bill Gates, Melinda French Gates and Warren Buffett started what could be described as the world’s most ambitious fundraising drive. After promising to give away the vast majority of their wealth, the trio asked their ultra-wealthy peers to pledge at least half of their assets to charity during their lifetimes or in their estates.

In two months, the Giving Pledge garnered signatures from 40 of America’s richest families and individuals to sign up. That first batch of pledgers, including Michael Bloomberg and David Rockefeller, was announced 15 years ago this week.

In the years since, the Giving Pledge has lost steam when it comes to enrollment. By the end of 2010, 57 signatories representing an estimated 14% of America’s billionaires had made the nonbinding commitment, according to a recent report by the Institute for Policy Studies. Currently, the pledge has commitments from 256 individuals, couples and families, including 110 American billionaires, per the progressive think tank. This group makes up 12% of the U.S. billionaire population as estimated by Forbes.

The annual number of sign-ups has also flagged since that first year. Even in 2020 when the pandemic spurred wealthy donors to give more, the Giving Pledge only earned 12 new signatories. This past May, the pledge welcomed 11 new members, a marked improvement over 2024′s record low of four.

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/business/personal-finance/giving-pledge-meant-turbocharge-philanthropy-few-billionaires-on-board-rcna223641

[Irish_Dem]

1. The rich are giving their money to the Trump Crime Syndicate.

Last edited Fri Aug 8, 2025, 07:27 AM - Edit history (1)

They think it is a good investment to give kiss ass money to Trump.

[OldBaldy1701E]

2. That is a massive assumption.

The rich don't give shit to anyone. If anything, they are giving him as little as possible since they actually have wealth and he just claims to have it.

More than likely, they are making sure their assets are offshore and protected from this administration. The rich do not play when it comes to their money.

[Irish_Dem]

3. We know the rich are giving money and favors to Trump.

It is a fact that many have made public "donations."

And favors to Trump. There is a great deal more being done behind the scenes.

Confirmation is the fact Trump is giving special treatment to some companies
and countries. Trump does nothing unless there is a personal benefit to himself.

It helps to understand the psychopathology of sociopaths.

Trump and the CEOs are psychopaths, making back room deals every day.

[OldBaldy1701E]

7. Yes, that is what I was trying to imply.

They do nothing unless it benefits their obscene wealth. and, only their obscene wealth.

[Chemical Bill]

4. Maybe we should...

tax them more....

[ck4829]

5. Yep. Just like how my Billionaire Challenge is still up, so far there have been no takers

https://democraticunderground.com/100219702795

[BumRushDaShow]

6. There is one not on your list

I.e., one that has to do with reducing gun violence... and that seems to be Bloomberg's 1-trick pony focus (and he does fund candidates and initiatives with that in mind).

[JoseBalow]

8. Turns out that rich people like their money

Who knew?

[ck4829]

9. Hoarders like their stacks of old newspapers and dead animals too