America’s Top 50 Donors: 2024 Edition

The Chronicle of Philanthropy has just released its list of America’s top donors for 2024, revealing a staggering $16.2 billion in charitable giving. To put that in perspective, that’s more than the entire GDP of countries like Laos, Madagascar, and Namibia.

On average, each of these philanthropic powerhouses gave $100 million, but one donor stood out above the rest—Michael Bloomberg, who contributed an astonishing $3.7 billion. His biggest gift? A transformative donation to Johns Hopkins University, making medical school free for most students.

Rounding out the top five were:

· Reed Hastings & Patty Quillin – $1.6 billion

· Michael & Susan Dell – $1.5 billion

· Warren Buffett – $1.1 billion

· Mark Zuckerberg & Priscilla Chan – $1 billion

Looking at the bigger picture, the most generous donors of the past 50 years include Warren Buffett ($49.4 billion), Bill and Melinda Gates ($34 billion), and Michael Bloomberg ($20 billion).

Philanthropy spanned generations in 2024—the youngest donors on the list were Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan at 40, while the oldest was Meyer Luskin at an impressive 99. The median age of donors? 73.5 years.

Closer to home in West Michigan, Rhonda Stryker and Bill Johnston of Kalamazoo made a major impact, giving $100 million and securing the #25 spot on the list.