The Billionaire Charity Showdown: Who's Actually Putting Money Where Their Mouth Is?

Bezos vs Buffett vs Gates — three titans, three very different giving strategies. And honestly, the contrast is kind of wild.

The Late Bloomer: Bezos

Bezos showed up to the philanthropy game late but swinging. Famously dodged signing Buffett and Gates’ Giving Pledge for years (awkward much?), but then launched his Day One Fund in 2018 with ex-wife Mackenzie Scott. Focus? Homelessness and education — pretty specific bets.

Recent move: Just dropped $110.5M across 40 orgs in 23 states to tackle homelessness in 2024. The Day 1 Academies Fund is building tuition-free preschools in underserved areas. Playing the long game.

The OG: Gates

When people think “billionaire charity,” they’re basically thinking Bill Gates. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (founded 2000) is basically the heavyweight champion — $8.6B allocated in 2024 alone across healthcare, poverty reduction, education, tech access.

Little-known flex: Warren Buffett literally gave them his entire life’s work. In 2006, he pledged Berkshire Hathaway stock valued at $31B. Gates has turned that into the world’s most recognized charitable machine.

The Quiet Crusher: Buffett

$56B+ lifetime giving. That’s not a typo. His donations were so massive they literally knocked him down two spots on the wealth rankings (8th to 10th).

He didn’t just write checks — he built a portfolio of foundations. Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation ($8.4B, heavy on healthcare), Sherwood Foundation (early childhood ed), Howard G. Buffett Foundation (food security + conflict resolution). Diversified giving thesis.

The Real Talk:

These three are tackling massive problems (homelessness, disease, education, hunger) that no single entity can solo. But the playbook is different:

• Bezos: Focused, recent, still proving himself
• Gates: Systematic, global reach, institutional
• Buffett: Highest total output, multi-foundation approach

Whichever strategy works, the scale is undeniable. Whether it’s enough? That’s the debate that’ll never end.