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Articles on Pandemic philanthropy

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Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and his ex-wife, Melinda French Gates, gave their foundation $15 billion right before their divorce became final. Ludovic Marin/AFP via Getty ImagesLudovic Marin/AFP via Getty Images

The 50 biggest US donors gave or pledged nearly $28 billion in 2021 – Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates account for $15 billion of that total

Three scholars weigh in regarding the priorities of these wealthy American donors, who gave less to social service and racial justice groups than in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation reacted more quickly when the COVID-19 pandemic began than most other foundations. Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

Only a handful of US foundations quickly pitched in as the COVID-19 pandemic got underway, early data indicates

Two scholars of philanthropy and geography who reviewed the numbers see cause for concern about the agility and priorities of grantmakers during a crisis.
Jeff Bezos and MacKenzie Scott, seen here before they divorced in 2019, were the top two U.S. charitable donors the following year. Jorg Carstensen/dpa/AFP via Getty Images

What the $25 billion the biggest US donors gave in 2020 says about high-dollar charity today

While support for social services and historically black colleges and universities rose sharply, these donors spent a tiny fraction of what the government distributed to people who needed help.

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