As a successful entrepreneur, some consider it their obligation to give back to the community. For them, it’s not “just a tax write-off” or a way to boost their PR campaign. In fact, with the world’s leading entrepreneurs such as Sergey Brin, Mark Zuckerberg and Charles Johnson constantly making Top Philanthropist lists, it’s clear that it goes deeper than an angle. When someone is blessed with a lucrative business they started from scratch, they come to learn that nothing feels better than earning money on hard work, sweat and tears—except, perhaps, giving much of it back.
According to a survey backed by Ernst & Young and conducted by Australia’s Fidelity Charitable Gift Trust, 89 percent of entrepreneurs donate to charity. An additional 70 percent donate their time as well. If a company is led by an entrepreneur, their charitable giving is on average more than double of their peers who aren’t led by entrepreneurs. Here’s a look at the top 15 entrepreneurs who give back.
1. Mark Zuckerberg
The Zuckerbergs regularly top the charts of most giving entrepreneurs. In 2013, they donated $1 billion (yes, with a “B”) to the Silicon Valley Community Foundation via company stock. Known for setting a great example as an entrepreneur and a philanthropist at a young age, the 29-year-olds have been moving Facebook shares over to non-profits for the past several years.
2. Charles Johnson
Head of Franklin Resources BEN +0.99%, Charles Johnson donated $250 million in 2013 to Yale University. A former graduate, the 80-year-old takes giving back to his alma mater seriously. It might not seem “necessary” but private universities including Yale depend largely on the generosity of alums to keep producing world leaders.
3. Sergey Brin
One of the co-founders of Google GOOGL +0.92%, Brin donated $219 million to his own foundation in 2013, which was founded along with his wife (whom he is now separated). The couple also generously donated to the Michael J. FoxFoundation. The Brin Wojcicki Foundation distributes funds to a variety of diverse non-profits.
