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20th Century Philanthropy and Beyond
Home » Non Profits » Philanthropy » 20th Century Philanthropy and BeyondAndrew Carnegie’s efforts paved the way for later philanthropists such as John D. Rockefeller and Margaret Olivia Sage. Rockefeller’s Rockefeller Foundation was chartered by the state of New York in 1913. Under increasing pressure from a highly charitable population, the U.S. government enacted legislation in 1921 offering tax-relief for personal contributions. New laws in 1935 allowed corporations to form philanthropic organizations, a successful model that continues to this day.
America’s philanthropic roots have only deepened into current society. U.S. citizens are responsible for billions of dollars in charitable giving. Recent causes have included natural disasters such as 2004’s Tsunami and 2005’s Hurricane Katrina. The 9-11 terrorists attacks in 2001 prompted record number in charitable contributions to the Red Cross and other organizations.
In the 2004 list of America’s most generous philanthropists, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, along with his wife Melinda, top the list with over $10 million dollars given annually to causes related primarily to health and education. Others in the top ten include Gordon and Betty Moore (co-founder of Intel), Warren Buffet (CEO of Berkshire Hathaway), Michael and Susan Dell (Dell founder), Paul Allen (Microsoft co-founder), and the Walton family (founder of Wal-Mart). Other famous philanthropists on the list include Oprah Winfrey, Ted Turner, Michael Bloomberg, David Geffen, and Charles and Helen Schwab.
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