$1 billion in quiet giving by Brian and Tegan Acton focuses on meeting basic needs for low-income area families; supports empathy-building through cultural and reproductive equity grants; and targets systemic justice issues nationally

Brian and Tegan Acton—Silicon Valley multi-billionaires—are quietly reshaping philanthropy through Wildcard Giving, a $1B+ umbrella for three giving vehicles focused on equity, empathy, and systemic change.

After selling WhatsApp to Facebook for $22 billion, the Actons channeled their windfall into Sunlight Giving (supporting Bay Area families), Acton Family Giving (empathy-building), and Solidarity Giving (policy and justice).

Tegan, shaped by global travel and years at Sundance Institute, champions trust-based philanthropy—lean teams, unrestricted grants, and deep listening.

Brian, meanwhile, co-founded the Signal Foundation to protect secure, free communication worldwide.

Together, they favor transparency, local investment, and humility in their approach: “We just write the check,” Tegan says.

Their grants—ranging from Planned Parenthood to local libraries—reflect a belief in shared humanity over partisanship.

With their children still young, the Actons are just beginning to build what may become a multigenerational giving legacy, rooted in service, empathy, and impact without ego.

While their initial $50 million donation to create the nonprofit Signal Foundation remains their standout most visible single gift, the couple has quietly distributed well over $1 billion in grants over the years.

Sunlight Giving focuses on meeting basic needs for low-income Bay Area families; Acton Family Giving supports empathy-building through cultural and reproductive equity grants; and Solidarity Giving targets systemic justice issues nationally.

Their continued commitment to unrestricted, trust-based funding represents a deeply values-driven model, treating philanthropic capital as a public trust.

Meanwhile, Tegan’s role remains influential: as president of Sunlight Giving and co‑chair of the broader family effort, she recently emphasized the couple’s philosophy in interviews, highlighting their focus on grantee-led outcomes and empathic, community-rooted impact.

The Actons remain highly active and principled donors, combining a high-impact legacy gift (Signal) with steady, strategic giving across multiple causes—and standing firm on privacy and trust long after leaving the tech spotlight.