It’s time to see who I can be and what I can do without the money.
- Oil heiress from five generations of wealth.
- Giving nearly all her assets to economic justice and arts.
- Life changed by participating in a cross-class group.
As candidate for governor of Massachusetts in 2006, I spoke publicly about being a formerly wealthy person who gave my money away.
- Was a community organizer with low-income women
- Donated inheritance including house to benefit low-income people
- Ran as governor of Massachusetts
The real expertise for solving community problems lies with community leadership rather than outsiders.
- Used inheritance to start a family foundation
- Turned the foundation's assets over to leaders of Southern grassroots groups.
- Looking to build authentic relationships across race and class
I didn’t really want to become a big deal philanthropist.
- Gave up job as librarian.
- Giving 75% of assets to help social justice and education equity groups.
- Lived in rural Mississippi.
Wealth doesn't protect a person from family dysfunction
- Giving $500,000/year--all income she doesn't need.
- Single mom with Lives in a working class neighborhood so kids could experience regular life.
- Contributes to education, conflict resolution, and political organizing.
I’m an evangelist for inspired philanthropy.
- Over 30 years, has encouraged wealthy individuals to give more and better.
- Gave all of inheritance plus 40% of income.
- Has started 19 nonprofits.
I discovered to my shock that the partnership had made me a wealthy man
- Became wealthy when sold his partnership in a law firm.
- Started a nonprofit that supports class action suits.
I felt isolated and confused in contemplating my responsibility toward my wealth.
- Has given nearly all $500,000 inherited at age 16.
- Currently earns income as an educator in Vermont.
- Supports youth, anti-racism, and environmental grassroots groups.
Each year I reduce my taxable income to the lowest tax rate band by making charitable gifts.
- UK-based Quaker and WWII conscientious objector.
- Since 1960s, given 35% of shares of well-known family business.
- Supports local communities and efforts to use public policies for social change.
By collaborating with local activists, I was able to act on my belief in transferring power as well as money.
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- Grew up in wealthy New York family.
- Used $3 million trust fund to endow foundation run by and for low-income women.
- Works on organizing other wealthy young people for social change.
I have found that low-income people of color respect and trust me, in spite of my wealth and white privilege.
- Receives income from first wife's inheritance.
- Uses half of that to fund a social justice non-profit.
- Works with low income people of color.
The power to give should rest with those with the most experience, not those with the most money.
- Worked in Africa
- Concerned with economic justice.
- Committed to giving away the majority of her inheritance.
I was deeply inspired... seeing not only great need, but also great generosity and love.
- Inspired by meeting spiritual and political leaders overseas.
- Attended quaker meeting and supported building of Peace Pagodas around the world.
- Involved on two family foundation boards, working to encourage the next generation.
I came out of two closets: as gay and as wealthy.
- Inherited a couple of million dollars as a junior in college (40 years ago)
- got involved social justice philanthropy and with Gay Community News.
- Helped establish a national gay and lesbian foundation.
When the family stock was sold, my husband and I looked at each other, "We don't want to be that rich."
- She and her husband gave away half of proceeds from sale of family company
- Used help of a community foundation to give to projects
- Gave to Indian reservations
As a Christian, how does my faith guide my use of money in a world of need?
- I worked through disagreement with my husband to find something wiser together.
- I risked building a close friendship with a grantee and gained something priceless.
- Took a sabbatical from giving to reflect
Inheriting money gives you a lot of freedom, but giving it away is what really makes you free.
- A priest and a legislative aide on Capitol Hill
- Started a foundation to fund development projects in West Africa with decisions made by local leaders.
- Gave away most of discretionary assets
I worked with Bill Gates Sr. to keep the U.S. Congress from abolishing the estate tax.
- Grandson of meat packer Oscar Mayer
- Gave away all of his inheritance
- Co-Founded Responsible Wealth and Business for Shared Prosperity
I have two gifts from God: the gift of compassion, and the gift of making money.
- Built a successful construction business
- Discovered the Jesuits
- Provided major support to Paul Farmer and Partners in Health
I received $7 million in settlements arising from my family’s losses as Jews in Nazi Germany.
- Professor
- Lives simply
- Gives 50% internationally, esp. Middle East reconciliation
Each year we allocate 50 to 100% of profits for our employees, customers and founders to donate.
- His office supplies company donates between 50 and 100% of profits each year
- Employees and customers vote on where some of the donations go
- Give Something Back has make over $4 million in donations since 1991
A beloved project of mine is to pass out work gloves to the immigrant day laborers
- Has lived in poverty and with wealth
- Gives 30-50% of income whether earning lots or little
- Believes in giving both 1:1 and strategic giving
I deeded my home irrevocably to a charitable trust
- Was a theoretical physicist
- The income from his home given to community groups
- 82 years old but full of energy to make a difference
It’s hardly a level playing field out there. Maybe together we can do something to make it just a little more level.
- Giving post-retirement income to charity for 6 years
- Taught at a state university business school.
- At his Harvard Business School reunions many are asking how to give back.
- Pledging $1 million to "Women Moving Millions" campaign
- Worked for 15 years in Africa on health care delivery
- Seeks to reform foundations to give more now
- Spoke to her dad about giving inheritance away
- Dad agreed to have all $5 million of inheritance go into a foundation
- f4dc funds grassroots local community development
My personal work now is to give from a place of feeling that I am enough rather than from a place of scarcity and to give from a place of joy and compassion.
- Founded an employment center for people with learning disabilities
- Gave over 50% income for 10 years to support center & other causes
- Worked to heal traumatic family history
I live my life on the moral principle: the greatest good for the greatest number of people... I live on what I need and not more.
- Had successful real estate business
- Gave away over 50% assets to global health care
- Also gave away a kidney
Gave away the assets of our family foundation
- Gave $3 million each to 2 intermediaries to give away
- Ran small family foundation for 20 years
- Next gen. family doesn't need to take over the foundation.
Chuck Collins
My grandfather was the meat packer Oscar Mayer. In
1986, when I turned 25, I gave away an inheritance worth almost half a
million dollars. Had the funds remained invested in a modest growth
fund, they would be worth $4 to 6 million today.
I made this decision because I hadn't earned the money, didn't need
it, and was aware of more urgent needs for it. I donated the money to several foundations funding social change. I have no regrets.
I believe that inherited wealth is both bad for children and bad for the society. I have been a leader in efforts to keep the U.S. Congress from abolishing the estate tax. In 2002, I co-authored a book with the father of Microsoft founder Bill Gates, Wealth and Our Commonwealth: Why America Should Tax Accumulated Fortunes.
I also co-founded Responsible Wealth and Business for Shared Prosperity and wrote several books on economic inequality and social change philanthropy. I am presently writing a book about privilege called Born on Third Base. I work as a senior scholar at the Institute for Policy Studies and live in Boston with my family.
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