Press Release

For Immediate Release

AMERICA'S BIGGEST DONORS STEPPED UP THEIR GIVING IN 2004

Other notable donors include NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Oprah Winfrey

Gifts and pledges by the 60 largest contributors to charities and foundations in the United States totaled $10.1-billion in 2004, a big increase over 2003, when the 60 biggest donors provided a total of $5.9-billion, according to an exclusive new survey by The Chronicle of Philanthropy and Slate magazine.

Topping the list was Bill Gates, and his wife, Melinda, who provided $3.4-billion to their foundation. No. 2 on the list was Susan T. Buffett, the wife of Warren Buffett, who left $2.6-billion to charity when she died last year.

The rebound of the economy was a big reason that the donations increased so sharply; in addition, several large bequests were made.

Following is a snapshot of the list of the big donors and how much they gave to charity in 2004:

1. Bill and Melinda Gates, $3.4-billion
2. Susan T. Buffett, $2.6-billion (bequest)
3. John M. Templeton, $550-million
4. Caroline Wiess Law, $450-million (bequest)
5. George D. Cornell, $196-million (bequest)
6. Leo A. and Kay K. Drey, $180-million
7. Pierre and Pam Omidyar, $173.2-million
8. Bernard Marcus, $161-million
9. Sidney E. Frank, $142-million
10. Michael Bloomberg, $138-million

Two women who earned their own fortunes claimed high rankings on the list this year: Oprah Winfrey, the entertainment mogul, donated $50-million and ranked No. 24; she was followed by Darla Moore, the investment guru, who pledged $45-million.

Many young donors also appeared on the list. Among them: David Filo, 38, (No. 36), co-founder of Yahoo; Samuel Garvin, 40, (No. 21), founder of Continental Promotion Group, and his wife, Rita, 36; Curtis Priem, 45 (No. 31), co-founder of the Nvidia Corporation, a California computer-graphics company; and David Tepper, 47 (No. 17), founder of Appaloosa Management, a New Jersey investment firm.

Colleges and universities received more gifts from the biggest donors than any other type of charity; 56 institutions won donations or pledges from the donors on The Chronicle's list. Twenty-five of the donors contributed to their own foundations.

The list of the top 60 donors appears in the March 3 issue of The Chronicle of Philanthropy and will be available at http://philanthropy.com on Monday, February 28. Slate began publishing the top 60 list in 1996.

The Chronicle of Philanthropy is an independent national newspaper covering all aspects of philanthropy and charitable organizations.

Slate is a top online magazine that provides readers with an informed perspective on news, politics, and culture.

Editors of both publications are available to comment on the list.