Back in June, two of the richest men in the world, Bill Gates and Warren Buffett, announced their mission to
convince every billionaire in the US to pledge at least 50% of their wealth to charity. Now, 38 more have joined them in an effort to make the largest charitable impact in history.

Gates and Buffett

You can’t help but be inspired by the grace and generosity shown by this group of people. Some were born into privileged families, and some worked hard for every penny, but all share the same sentiment: sharing what you don’t need with those who need it desperately is a moral obligation.

The current average donated by the super rich is 10-12% but Buffet says that when you’ve accumulated that much money, you can easily afford to give upwards of 90% without having to give up anything you could possibly want. He’s personally pledged 99%.

Joining Buffett and Gates are Barry Diller, creator of Fox Broadcasting, and wife, designer Diane Von Furstenberg, George Lucas (yes, as in Star Wars), and Michael Bloomberg, Mayor of New York City and the 8th wealthiest person in the US. Barron Hilton (Paris’s grandpa) is also on the list, having already pledged 97% of his wealth back in 2007.

Ted Turner, founder of CNN, who donated the first billion dollars to start the UN Foundation signed up too, saying that his charitable donations have been the best investments he’s ever made.

“Those dollars have improved lives, saved species, fought disease, educated children, inspired change, challenged ideas and opened minds.”

Bill Gates strongly believes that making sure the world’s wealthiest citizens are aware of how the poorest live is the key to creating change on a grand scale. “If we were aware, we would want to help out, we'd want to get involved.”

Although they are focusing on reaching out to fellow billionaires, they emphasize that they are inspired by people of all means and backgrounds and encourage everyone to give what they can, be it money or time.

With the money donated by these millionaires, and some time (and maybe a bit more money) donated by the rest of us, the world could end up looking like a much different and more hopeful place.

Have kids? The vast majority of these billionaires say that they learned about the importance of giving by watching their parents help others.

You can see the full list and read the billionaires’ personal statements at givingpledge.org

Do you make an effort to give what you can?