An American entrepreneur has topped the list of the United States’ biggest philanthropists of 2025, surpassing popular charitable names such as Bill Gates and Warren Buffett. Michael Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg LP and former New York mayor, emerged as the country’s largest individual donor, contributing $4.3 billion across a wide range of causes, Fortune reported.
Bloomberg’s donation placed him at No. 1 on the Chronicle of Philanthropy’s Philanthropy 50 list for the third consecutive year, marking one of the most significant private contributions in recent years. His 2025 giving spanned arts, education, public health, environmental projects, and city‑government initiatives, far exceeding the contributions of other top‑tier philanthropists.
In comparison, Bill Gates donated $3.7 billion in 2025, largely directed towards the Gates Foundation’s global health and development programmes. Warren Buffett, one of America’s most consistent philanthropists, contributed $1.3 billion to four family foundations. Both fell short of Bloomberg’s total for the year.
Michael Bloomberg is also an ex-mayor of New York City. (Image credit: AFP)
Where the money came from — and where it went
According to the Philanthropy 50 dataset, the financial industry accounted for the largest share of donors, while the technology sector contributed nearly half of total dollars given, with 12 tech philanthropists collectively donating $10 billion. Bloomberg’s contribution — sourced from his decades‑old financial‑data empire — led this shift in sector‑driven philanthropy.
His philanthropic focus areas mirrored broader national giving patterns. Science and technology received more than $3 billion in total donor support, while healthcare and medical research attracted about $1.5 billion.
Why Bloomberg’s giving stands out
While ultra‑wealthy Americans continue to expand their fortunes, not all choose to donate at scale. Only 19 of the Forbes 400 richest Americans contributed enough to appear on the 2025 Philanthropy 50 list — a sign that outsized giving remains concentrated among a small circle. Bloomberg’s multibillion‑dollar contribution highlights the widening gap between high‑impact donors and peers who remain less enthusiastic about donating large sums.
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