Bigwigs continued to donate in 2001

Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO — The nation’s top philanthropists continue to share hefty sums of their wealth despite the country’s recession and the stumbling stock market.

Bill and Melinda Gates were listed No. 2 as the country’s top givers.

Colleges and universities attracted the most gifts from the top donors, followed by hospitals and medical centers, according to a survey released Sunday by the Chronicle of Philanthropy.

The 66 "most generous donors" on the list gave a total of $10.2 billion in 2001, with an additional $2.2 billion in unpaid pledges.

That’s up from the previous year’s combined $7.4 billion.

It’s interesting that "giving was as strong as it was even though it was a pretty difficult year financially," said Stacey Palmer, editor of the biweekly Chronicle, which compiled the list largely from the reports of organizations that received the gifts.

The bulk of the donors’ wealth was based on finance, real estate or technology.

Intel Corp. founder Gordon Moore and his wife, Betty, topped the list with $6.13 billion pledged or donated in 2001, including a record $600 million pledged over 10 years to the California Institute of Technology, Moore’s alma mater.

Much of that money went to the Moores’ new charitable foundation, which will gradually redistribute it to other causes, including the environment and technology, said Genny Biggs, spokeswoman for the San Francisco-based Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.

Microsoft founder Bill Gates and his wife, Melinda, ranked No. 2 on the donors’ list, giving $2 billion to boost the endowment of the Bill &Melinda Gates Foundation and to increase the availability of vaccines for preventable diseases of children in poor countries.

It’s only the survey’s second year, but changes were evident as a result of the roller coaster economy, Palmer said.

For example, the technology downturn may have forced younger donors off the list, Palmer said. The youngest top donor in 2001 was 36-year-old Melinda Gates, while the 2000 list included a 26-year-old donor with a computer security business.

"This year we’re kind of back to a little bit more of the traditional people, giving at a later stage of life," Palmer said.

Here are the nation’s top 10 givers in 2001, from a list compiled by the Chronicle of Philanthropy, with the amount they donated or pledged:

1. Gordon and Betty Moore, $6.13 billion

3. James E. and Virginia G. Stowers, $1.12 billion

4. John D. Hollingsworth, Jr., $400 million

5. Eli and Edythe L. Broad, $387.89 million

6. Robert Edward "Ted" Turner, $330.53 million

7. Sidney Kimmel, $260.5 million

8. Lucille Stewart Beeson, $161 million

9. Peter B. Lewis, $118 million

10. Alberto W. Vilar, $116.4 million

Copyright ©2002 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Alina Langbehn, 6, center, and Vera A., 6, right, sit on a swing together at Drew Nielsen Neighborhood Park after school on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council votes to renovate Drew Nielsen Park

Construction on the $345,000 upgrade could start as early as this fall.

Northshore School District bus driver Stewart O’Leary pictured next to his buses shattered drivers side windshield on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Put me in, coach’: Bus driver back at work after struck by metal bar

Stewart O’Leary, a Northshore employee, has received national attention for his composure during a frightening bus trip.

Lynnwood councilor Joshua Binda speaks during a Lynnwood City Council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Does the Lynnwood Council VP live in Lynnwood? It’s hard to say.

Josh Binda’s residency has been called into question following an eviction and FEC filings listing an Everett address. He insists he lives in Lynnwood.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

An American Robin picks a berry from a holly tree on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Calling all birders for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count

The Audubon Society will hold its 28th annual Great Backyard… Continue reading

A view of one of the potential locations of the new Aquasox stadium on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. The site sits between Hewitt Avenue, Broadway, Pacific Avenue and the railroad. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Initial prep work for AquaSox stadium to start, with $200k price tag

The temporary agreement allows some surveying and design work as the city negotiates contracts with designers and builders.

Aaron Kennedy / The Herald
The Joann Fabric and Crafts store at 7601 Evergreen Way, Everett, is one of three stores in Snohomish County that will close as part of the retailer’s larger plan to shutter more than half of its stores nationwide.
Joann store closure plan includes Everett, Arlington, Lynnwood locations

The retail giant filed a motion in court to close approximately 500 stores in the U.S.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.