Warren Buffett donates record $6 billion to charities
- Warren Buffett donated $6 billion in Berkshire Hathaway shares to five charities.
- The majority of the shares went to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust.
- This donation is part of Buffett's long-term philanthropic commitment, reinforcing his significant contributions throughout the years.
On June 27, 2025, billionaire investor Warren Buffett made a significant philanthropic move by donating $6 billion worth of his company's stock to five charitable foundations. This marked his largest annual gift in nearly two decades and a notable parting with a portion of his vast net worth, estimated at $152 billion. Buffett donated approximately 12.36 million Class B shares of Berkshire Hathaway, with the majority being directed to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust. The remaining shares were allocated to the Sherwood Foundation, Howard G. Buffett Foundation, NoVo Foundation, and the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation. The donation distribution includes 9.4 million shares assigned to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust, which focuses on poverty, education, and global development initiatives. Additionally, the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation received 943,384 shares, while the other three foundations each received 660,366 shares. This latest donation enhances Buffett's history of philanthropy, contributing roughly $60 billion to the same foundations since he began his charitable endeavors in 2006. Buffett, now 94, has committed to contributing the majority of his wealth to charitable causes, having pledged that 99.5% of his estate is set for philanthropic use. He has not bought or sold any Class A or B shares within the last 19 years, indicative of his long-term approach to both investing and philanthropy. As a part of his strategy, Buffett has a plan to step down as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway by the end of 2025, passing the leadership to Greg Abel, the current CEO of Berkshire Hathaway Energy. He aims to ensure that his children will determine the future of his wealth distribution after his passing. This substantial gift comes at a time when charitable organizations are crucial for addressing various global challenges. The donations from Buffett are expected to provide significant support to the foundations in their ongoing efforts to tackle issues such as poverty alleviation, education reform, and health initiatives across the world. With his immense contributions, Buffett not only reinforces his legacy as a philanthropist but also stimulates conversations about wealth distribution and the social responsibilities of billionaires.