Writing a check for a few million dollars makes you a hero in most circles. In the world of the ultra-wealthy, it barely gets you a seat at the table. For the third year running, Michael Bloomberg has claimed the top spot on the Chronicle of Philanthropy’s annual Philanthropy 50 list. He didn't just win; he dominated.
Bloomberg gave away $4.3 billion in 2025. That’s not a typo. To put that in perspective, his personal giving accounted for roughly 19% of the total $22.4 billion donated by everyone on the entire list combined. While other billionaires are busy fighting over social media platforms or rocket launch pads, Bloomberg has quietly built a machine that pumps billions into arts, public health, and city management.
The heavy hitters of the Philanthropy 50
It’s easy to focus only on the man at the top, but the 2025 list shows a massive concentration of wealth at the very peak. Only four donors or estates cleared the $1 billion mark last year. Behind Bloomberg, Bill Gates took the second spot with $3.7 billion. Most of that went exactly where you'd expect: the Gates Foundation.
Then there’s a bittersweet entry at number three. The estate of the late Paul Allen, the Microsoft co-founder who passed away in 2018, left a $3.1 billion bequest. It’s a massive injection of capital into science and technology that will likely felt for decades. Warren Buffett rounded out the billionaire quartet, handing over $1.3 billion to four family foundations.
If you’re looking for a common thread, it’s tech and finance. Twenty of the donors on this list made their fortunes in the financial sector, while twelve came from technology. These two industries alone provided the vast majority of the "new" money entering the nonprofit sector.
Beyond the billion dollar checks
I think the real story isn't just the sheer size of the gifts, but where the money is actually going. People assume billionaires just throw money at whatever is trending on news feeds. The data says otherwise. Most of these donors are playing the long game. The Chronicle found that over 35 of the 51 donors (some entries are couples) have held relationships with their primary recipients for a decade or more.
It’s about trust. Take Robert and Karen Hale, who landed at number 25. They gave nearly $111 million last year, including a massive $100 million gift to Boston Children’s Hospital. They didn't pick that hospital out of a hat. They’ve been supporting Boston-area nonprofits for years.
Where the money landed in 2025
- Science and Technology: Received over $3 billion, largely thanks to Paul Allen's bequest.
- Health and Medical Research: Pulled in $1.5 billion. Nike’s Phil Knight and his wife Penny contributed $500 million of that specifically for cancer research.
- Athletics: A surprising $871 million. This includes huge $300 million gifts for university sports and a $100 million fund for Olympic athletes.
- Higher Education: Still the "safe" bet for most big donors. Wayne State University received $50 million from James and Patricia Anderson, for example.
What this means for the rest of us
You might wonder why we should care about a list of billionaires giving to other billionaires’ foundations. It matters because this money dictates the agenda for public health and environmental policy. When Michael Bloomberg decides to focus on "city government innovation," it changes how your local mayor might handle data or climate resilience.
There's also a noticeable shift in how they give. We’re seeing more "legacy" giving—money left after death—and more focus on specific, niche medical issues. Jon and Mindy Gray (No. 34) focus heavily on BRCA-related cancer research because it's personal. Mindy’s sister died from it. This isn't just corporate social responsibility; it's personal grief transformed into institutional funding.
New York and California still dominate the list. If you're a nonprofit in the Midwest or the South, you're fighting for a much smaller slice of the pie. Most of these donors give where they live or where they went to school.
The missing names
One thing I noticed immediately was who wasn't there. MacKenzie Scott is nowhere to be found on the Philanthropy 50 this year. Don’t assume she stopped giving. She’s famous for her "no-strings-attached" style of philanthropy, but she often uses donor-advised funds or other vehicles that don't always show up in these specific rankings.
It’s a reminder that these lists are a snapshot of transparency as much as they are a snapshot of wealth. Some billionaires prefer the limelight; others prefer the shadows. Bloomberg clearly belongs to the former group, using his giving as a public extension of his political and business identity.
If you're looking to track where the big money moves next, watch the "median" gift. In 2025, that number was $105 million. That’s the "buy-in" for being considered a major player in American philanthropy today.
Check the specific mission statements of these top 50 foundations if you're looking for grants. Most are doubling down on long-term partnerships rather than open calls for new applications. If you want a piece of the $22.4 billion, you'd better start building the relationship now.
