Observer - Billionaire Families Join Giving Pledge 2025

14 New Billionaires Who Joined the Giving Pledge in 2025 | Observer 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 

 

 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 Pictured clockwise from top left: Drew Houston, Lisa Sonsini, Jim McKelvey, Bob Lurie, Glen Tullman, Noubar Afeyan, Craig Newmark, Cameron Adams. Photos:: Big Event Media, Craig Barritt, Ben Gabbe/Association of Magazine Media, Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The San Francisco Chronicle, Kimberly White/TechCrunch, Alex Kent, Arturo Holmes, Katie Jones/Variety for Getty Images 
 The founders of Moderna , Canva and Craigslist are among a new wave of ultra-wealthy figures pledging to give away the bulk of their fortunes. The Giving Pledge, a philanthropic campaign that just marked its 15th anniversary, has long attracted billionaires inclined toward large-scale giving, and this year was no exception. In 2025, 14 new signatories joined the pledge, bringing its total membership to nearly 260 and ushering in a new cohort of influential figures shaping global philanthropy.

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 The Giving Pledge began in 2010 with just 40 signatories, including founders Warren Buffett, Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates. Its core commitment encourages members to donate at least half of their wealth over the course of their lifetimes. Over the years, the roster has expanded to include prominent figures such as Elon Musk , Mark Zuckerberg and Steven Schwarzman.

 
 Despite its star power, the initiative’s real-world impact remains a subject of debate. In many cases, the wealth of members has grown faster than their giving, according to a recent report from the Institute for Policy Studies that found the combined wealth of original U.S. members has surged 283 percent over the past 15 years, with much of their philanthropy flowing into private foundations rather than direct charitable giving.

 Still, the pledge continues to attract the world’s wealthiest individuals. The philanthropic priorities of this year’s new signees—ranging from cybersecurity and education to mental health and gender equality—feel particularly timely as the nonprofit sector grapples with reduced federal funding and a broader pullback in global aid .

 Here&#8217;s a look at how the newest signees of the Giving Pledge say they plan to distribute their wealth in the ye

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