Bill Gates warns that the world regressed in child mortality progress last year due to reduced aid from rich countries, and he predicts a difficult five years ahead before we can enter a new era of progress, despite his optimism fueled by AI innovation. He announced a $200 billion donation to his foundation to address global issues and urges wealthy individuals to increase philanthropy to bridge funding gaps.
Brian Mills, a beloved community leader and manager of Chicago's Home of Chicken and Waffles in Bronzeville, died suddenly at age 45, leaving a significant void in the neighborhood. Known for his caring nature and numerous community initiatives, Mills was celebrated by family, friends, and residents who gathered to honor his legacy of kindness and service. His death highlights the importance of health awareness and self-care, as his family encourages others to prioritize their well-being.
Warren Buffett, stepping down as Berkshire Hathaway CEO, is celebrated not only for his investment success but also for his clear communication, patience, ethical standards, and philanthropy, leaving a lasting legacy of leadership and integrity for business leaders worldwide.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's long-time aide James Holt is leaving his role at Archewell Philanthropies after five years, as part of ongoing staff restructuring, with Holt returning to the UK and continuing to support their humanitarian efforts remotely. The couple's team has experienced other recent departures, but they maintain their staff remains intact and are adjusting to a new operational model.
Louis Gerstner, who famously revitalized IBM as its CEO and transformed its culture and focus, has died at age 83. His leadership helped steer IBM away from potential bankruptcy towards success, and he was also known for his philanthropy and involvement in public education initiatives.
MacKenzie Scott, a billionaire philanthropist and novelist, had a close mentorship relationship with Nobel laureate Toni Morrison during her time at Princeton, which influenced her career and philanthropic efforts. Scott has donated over $26 billion since 2019, including more than $1.2 billion to historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), honoring Morrison's legacy. Morrison also played a key role in Scott's early writing and career development, and Scott continues to support HBCUs and arts education in her philanthropic work.
The article discusses a proposed initiative called Universal Basic Investment, exemplified by the Trump Accounts program, where newborns receive federal seed money in tax-deferred investment accounts to help address America's aging crisis and low fertility rate. Billionaires like the Dells and Dalios are contributing significant funds to expand this program, aiming to give children a financial head start and promote collective action to bridge the wealth gap and secure future economic stability.
Ray Dalio and BlackRock are donating to the Trump Accounts program in Connecticut, which aims to provide tax-advantaged savings accounts for children, as part of broader corporate support for President Trump's initiative to promote early financial education and opportunity for American children.
Billionaire Ray Dalio announced a $75 million contribution to 'Trump accounts' aimed at improving financial prospects for children, as part of a broader government and corporate effort to support youth savings and investment programs.
Ray Dalio and his wife Barbara are supporting the 'Trump accounts' initiative, which provides government seed money and private donations to help build wealth for children, particularly in lower-income areas, as part of a broader effort to promote generational wealth and opportunity in the U.S.
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos awarded $5 million to David Flink of the Neurodiversity Alliance, recognizing efforts to support neurodivergent students and promote inclusive education, as part of the Bezos Courage & Civility Award.
A $55 million donation to Cornell's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences has established the Ashley School of Global Development and the Environment, uniting two departments to foster interdisciplinary research and education on global and environmental issues, honoring Stephen B. Ashley’s longstanding support and leadership.
Scott Bessent criticizes the Giving Pledge as amorphous and promotes the new Trump Accounts initiative, which aims to give every U.S. child a $1,000 investment to foster financial literacy and a stake in the economy, viewing it as a more concrete and impactful form of philanthropy to address economic inequality and system disengagement.
Warren Buffett, acknowledging his earlier philanthropic plans were unfeasible, is now leaving most of his $150 billion fortune to his three children’s foundations, giving away about $500 million annually, and plans to retain a significant stake in Berkshire Hathaway until his successor is settled, raising questions about the future of The Giving Pledge and billionaire philanthropy.
Warren Buffett announced he will continue his annual Thanksgiving letter to shareholders, step back from writing Berkshire's annual report, and increase his charitable donations, as he prepares to retire as CEO and pass leadership to Greg Abel. He reflected on his life, expressed gratitude, and emphasized his commitment to philanthropy and his hometown of Omaha.
