More Than 200 Philanthropists Have Now Joined the Giving Pledge, Committing to Give at Least Half Their Wealth to Charitable Causes

PR78935

SEATTLE, May 28, 2019 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

International philanthropy group reaches 204 total signatories from 23 countries

Today the Giving Pledge [http://www.givingpledge.org/ ] announced that 19

philanthropists have joined the Giving Pledge since the previous year, bringing

the total number of Giving Pledge signatories to 204 from 23 countries.

Now in its ninth year, the Giving Pledge continues to expand internationally

with the addition of philanthropists from China, Norway, Switzerland, the

United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, as well as the United States. Founded

by Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett in 2010, the Giving Pledge is a

global, multi-generational commitment by some of the world's wealthiest

individuals and couples to give more than half of their wealth to philanthropy

or charitable causes, either during their lifetimes or in their wills.

The new signatories announced today are:

- Tegan and Brian Acton

- Brian Armstrong

- Stewart and Sandy Bainum

- MacKenzie Bezos

- Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Bin Musallam Bin Ham Al-Ameri

- Ben Delo

- Jeremy and Hanne Grantham

- David and Claudia Harding

- Sonia and Paul Tudor Jones

- Ryan D. "Jume" Jumonville

- Erica and Jeff Lawson

- Francine A. LeFrak and Rick Friedberg

- Daoming Liu

- John and Marcy McCall MacBain

- Emily and Mitchell Rales

- Chris and Crystal Sacca

- Paul and Jennifer Sciarra

- Nicolai and Katja Tangen

- Robert and Jane Toll

"We are thrilled to welcome this year's group of Giving Pledge signatories to

the community, which has grown to more than 200 people in just nine years,"

said Warren Buffett. "The generosity of this group is a reflection of the

inspiration we take from the many millions of people who work quietly and

effectively to create a better world for others, often at great personal sacrifice."

Many of the new signatories to the Giving Pledge are already engaged in

philanthropy, providing support to a range of causes including climate change,

education, poverty alleviation, medical research, healthcare services, economic

development, and social justice. These individuals and couples have come

together from a wide range of fields – including finance, technology,

healthcare and real estate development – to commit the majority of their wealth

to tackling some of society's most pressing problems.

This week, the Giving Pledge signatories convene for an annual two-day learning

conference to discuss their experiences in giving and to learn from each other

and outside experts about how to be most effective with their philanthropy.

Topics to be discussed at this year's annual gathering include how philanthropy

can make a difference in areas such as education, climate and clean energy,

equity and access to health care, community development, and disaster relief.

People who have joined the Giving Pledge are united by a shared commitment to

learning [http://givingpledge.org/Videos.aspx ] and giving, and they participate in

ongoing learning events throughout the year in addition to the annual conference.

About the Giving Pledge

The Giving Pledge is a global, multi-generational commitment by the world's

wealthiest individuals and couples that aims to create a greater culture of

giving in order to help tackle society's most pressing problems. Signatories of

the Giving Pledge make a moral commitment to give more than half of their

wealth to philanthropy or charitable causes. They also come together to learn

and share knowledge in order to continue to improve the effectiveness of

philanthropic giving.

The 204 pledgers range in age from 33 to 95. Globally, signatories represent 23

countries: Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Cyprus, Germany, India, Indonesia,

Israel, Malaysia, Monaco, Norway, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, South Africa,

Switzerland, Tanzania, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom

and the United States. In the United States, pledgers hail from 30 states and

the District of Columbia, with the largest contingents from California and New York.

The Giving Pledge does not involve either pooling or granting funds or

requirements to support any particular cause or organization.

For the full list of pledgers and their personal letters stating their

commitment to give, visit www.givingpledge.org.

SOURCE: The Giving Pledge