The Giving Pledge at 15: A trillion-dollar force redefining philanthropy

For over half a century, Lifestyles Magazine/Meaningful Influence has served as the definitive voice and trusted platform for the world’s most impactful charitable donors.

For the past 15 years, it has been honored to serve as both the chronicler and convening force of the Giving Pledge community—capturing the essence of transformative generosity and the personal values behind it.

Through intimate, in-depth profiles and visionary conversations, the publication has showcased the extraordinary lives and legacies of Giving Pledge signatories—amplifying their stories not just as philanthropists, but as changemakers committed to humanity’s betterment.

In addition to some of the pledgers who appeared on our covers, among those profiled are:

Warren Buffett, Bill and Melinda Gates, Michael Bloomberg, Eli and Edythe Broad, Larry Ellison, Michael Milken, Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan, Reed Hastings and Patty Quillin, Pierre and Pam Omidyar, Dan and Jennifer Gilbert, George B. Kaiser, Dustin Moskovitz and Cari Tuna, Brian Chesky, Lynn and Stacy Schusterman, our distinguished Lifestyles Magazine board member Jeff Skoll, Craig and Susan McCaw, Paul Singer, Gordon and Betty Moore (Foundation), John and Laura Arnold, Ray and Barbara Dalio, Mark and Lynne Benioff, Steve and Jean Case, Ted Turner, MacKenzie Scott, Melinda French Gates, Laurene Powell Jobs, Elon Musk, Michael Moritz and Harriet Heyman, Alfredo Harp Helú, Carlos and Ruth de la Cruz, Patricia Phelps de Cisneros and Gustavo Cisneros, Moises and Mirtha Naím, Richard and Joan Branson, Hansjörg Wyss, Lord Ashcroft, Wendy Schmidt, Sir Richard Chandler, Bassam and Rana Khoury, Nassef and Sherine Sawiris, Patrice and Precious Motsepe, Strive and Tsitsi Masiyiwa, Tony Elumelu, Mo Ibrahim, Azim Premji, Vinod and Neeru Khosla, Bharat and Neerja Desai, Binod and Sarika Chaudhary, Andrew and Nicola Forrest.

These are just some of the many bold and compassionate visionaries whose giving philosophies and personal journeys have been chronicled on the pages of Lifestyles Magazine/Meaningful Influence.

With rare access and timeless storytelling, the magazine continues to illuminate how purpose-driven leadership can shape the world for generations to come.

As the Giving Pledge celebrates its 15th anniversary, this extraordinary global initiative continues to expand its reach and influence, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of modern philanthropy.

Initially launched in 2010 by Bill Gates, Melinda French Gates, and Warren Buffett, the Giving Pledge has grown from 40 initial signatories to over 250 ultra-wealthy individuals, each committing to give the majority of their wealth to charitable causes during their lifetimes or through their wills.

In 2025, the Giving Pledge welcomed its largest annual cohort of new signatories since 2021.

This year’s additions include eight couples and three individuals representing a broad spectrum of industries and philanthropic interests, further strengthening the global movement toward purpose-driven wealth.

Among them are Cameron and Lisa Adams, with a focus on biodiversity and conservation; entrepreneur Muna Easa Al Gurg, an advocate for women’s empowerment and education; Noubar Afeyan and Anna Afeyan Gunnarson, with commitments grounded in life sciences innovation; and Joseph Deitch, founder of Commonwealth Financial Network.

Also joining are Bharat Desai and Neerja Sethi, who focus on education and economic mobility; Alzheimer’s research advocates Jay and Michaela Hoag; Dropbox CEO Drew Houston and his spouse, Erin; investor Xin Liu; Square co-founder Jim McKelvey and his wife, Anna; philanthropists Lisa and Matt Sonsini; and healthcare entrepreneur Glen Tullman.

With a combined net worth exceeding $1 trillion, the Giving Pledge community has pledged hundreds of billions of dollars toward solving pressing global challenges.

Yet the movement’s significance goes far beyond financial commitments. It has catalyzed a cultural shift in philanthropy, encouraging earlier, more strategic, and more collaborative giving while inspiring a new generation of leaders to view wealth as a tool for systemic change.

This shift aligns with findings from the 2025 World Happiness Report, which underscores that economic prosperity, while important, is far from the sole driver of well-being.

The report’s analysis across 155 countries shows that factors such as social support and freedom to make life choices have a greater impact on happiness than income alone.

For instance, while the statistical effect of GDP per capita is modest (0.33), social support (2.69) and autonomy (1.52) play far more significant roles in shaping life satisfaction.

These insights reinforce the deeper purpose behind the Giving Pledge: that true prosperity is rooted not in accumulation, but in connection, generosity, and shared humanity.

Fifteen years on, the Giving Pledge continues to redefine the legacy of wealth, and Lifestyles Magazine is proud to serve as its trusted platform for convening.

Its growing ranks and shifting ethos reflect a powerful idea gaining global traction—that success is no longer measured simply by what is amassed, but by what is given back to the world.