Giving Pledge: Bill Gates, Warren Buffet Get 12 More Billionaires To Donate Fortunes

Bill Gates and Warren Buffet have a lot of money. Both billionaires have pledged to give more than half of their fortunes away and they are encouraging other billionaires to join their “Giving Pledge.”

The Huffington Post reports that 12 more billionaires have recently agreed to join the pledge.

Buffet said:

“They come from different backgrounds, but share a common desire to see positive change in our world. We’ve said from the beginning that this is a long-term effort, but I’m particularly pleased to see continued momentum in encouraging greater and more thoughtful philanthropy.”

Arthur Blank, the co-founder of Home Depot, was one of the 12 new billionaires to sign the pledge. Blank wrote:

“The needs in our society are more profound than at any point in my lifetime. The gap between rich and poor in America is growing. Philanthropy alone cannot repair all of the social injustice in our country or the world. It can, however, inspire good will, spark innovation and provide thought leadership.”

Tesla Motors Owner Elon Musk, hedge fund mogul Bill Ackman, and film producer Steve Bing have also signed the pledge. They will be joined on the Giving Pledge by Edgar M. Bronfman, Glenn and Eva Dubin, Michael Moritz and Harriet Heyman, Red and Charline McCombs, Henry and Susan Samueli, John and Ginger Sall, John A. and Susan Sobrato, John Michael Sobrato, and Ted and Vada Stanley.

Bloomberg reports that Buffett, 81, is the third-richest person in the world with a net worth of $44.6 billion. Gates, 56, ranks second with a net worth of $62.7 billion.