The world's largest fund-raising charity event

They are second and third in this year's Forbes Global Rich List, and are also known as philanthropists.

They are Microsoft founder Bill Gates and Warren Buffett. 16th, they invariably launched a "charitable oath" campaign, calling on American billionaires to donate at least half of their personal assets to charity.

On that day, they have got the promise of Shiki millionaire.

America's Fortune Magazine, if 400 rich Americans can respond to the call, will raise nearly 600 billion dollars, it is possible to rewrite the history of American philanthropy.

No money, only pledges.

16th, Gates and Buffett announced the long-awaited "charitable oath" activities.

"I felt extremely happy in 2006 when I decided to donate 99% of my wealth to charity," Buffett wrote. Now, Bill Gates and I are calling on America's richest men to commit at least 50% of their wealth to charity. ”

According to the "Charity Oath" official website (www.givingpledge.org), the action "does not directly accept donations, but encourages the rich to make pledges, whether in their lifetimes or after their death, and in written form to publicly express their decision."

America's Fortune magazine made an estimate that the top 400 billionaires in the Forbes list, whose net assets add up to about 1.2 trillion dollars, will have at least 600 billion dollars in pledged donations if the "Charitable oath" initiative gets all of them to respond.

Meli Shah Bermain, chairman of Rockefeller charity consultancy, said: "This will make American philanthropy more easily doubled, perhaps three times times." "Rockefeller charitable advisers are advisers to the" Charity oath "action.

"If we could raise these donations from billionaires, it would be a big boost for other Americans to get involved, then we could change the world." "Bayman said.

The rich who participate in the "Charitable oath" campaign have the right to choose the charitable areas they support. The event is now aimed only at 1 billion of the wealthiest Americans, and may extend to other countries in the future.

A year to brew the vows of charity

Since last year, Gates and Buffett have been working on the charity.

Last March, Bill Gates travelled by Air to Nebraska State Omaha, where he had lunch with Buffett near the airport. There, the two raised the idea of calling on rich people to donate money. American media have joked that the "Hollywood" restaurant will probably leave a history book.

They then asked Rockefeller (the Rockefeller family, known as the "World Wealth Mark") to hold a party.

Last May, there was news that Gates and Mr. Buffett had organised a secret dinner in New York, attended by billionaire billionaires, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and famous "mouth" Oprah Winfrey, with the theme of philanthropy.

In the face of media inquiries, both Buffett and Gates denied that the media increasingly feel that the party is worth digging.

ABC and the Houston Chronicle described its mystique, and a New York magazine speculated that the billionaires were "brewing a conspiracy, which would be a big disadvantage for others". Pati Stonisfey, the chief executive of the Melinda Gates Foundation, which was established by the bill and his wife, explained that the meal was merely a meeting between friends and colleagues on philanthropy.

The details of that meal were only recently disclosed by the US Fortune magazine.

At that time, Mr. and Mrs. Gates and Mr. Buffett presented the embryonic form of the largest fund-raising event in history, the charitable oath. They welcome any type of donor, but the most immediate target is the billionaire, who wants to raise a lot of money from them for a variety of charitable ventures.

However, this desire did not immediately form a concrete plan. They then held another two meals and finally targeted the super-rich, the top 400 Americans on the Forbes list.

The four millionaires nod and disagree

Now, four millionaires have agreed to make a charitable vow.

Stonisfey 16th, said they are the real estate and construction Hengeri Blode, venture capitalists John, media Hengri Renfis and former Cisco system Chairman John Mogrich.

In addition, the Forbes survey of some billionaires, for the "charitable oath" activities, there are several representative views.

"It's too early for me to start donating all my wealth," John Cates Matidis, a billionaire who dabbled in oil, real estate and supermarket markets, said. ”

"All of us have a moral obligation to give back to society," said Lean Coux Cooper of the Omega Advisory Fund. ”

"Everyone has to make the best decisions for them," says Mark Guban, who owns the Dallas Mavericks. ”

Gari Michaelson, a surgeon, investor and activist in protecting animal rights, said: "I will not (sign the oath), because I do not want to be a public figure, it will embarrass me." ”

"Giving back to society is the best way to make yourself great," says Stuart Lacher, owner of Kinray, a drug retailer. ”

"I like making money and I'm going to donate a lot of money eventually," said Tycoon, a real estate giant. "(Xinhua news Agency, China Daily Report)

Extended Reading

"It is understandable and achievable for the rich to donate half their personal assets." "Many people may end up donating far more money than that," the charity Oath website said. ”