More Than 200 Philanthropists Have Now Joined the Giving Pledge, Committing to Give at Least Half Their Wealth to Charitable Causes

International philanthropy group reaches 204 total signatories
from 23 countries

Seattle (ots/PRNewswire) - Today the Giving Pledge
(http://www.givingpledge.org/) announced that 19 philanthropists have
joined the Giving Pledge since the previous year, bringing the total
number of Giving Pledge signatories to 204 from 23 countries.

Now in its ninth year, the Giving Pledge continues to expand
internationally with the addition of philanthropists from China,
Norway, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, as
well as the United States. Founded by Bill and Melinda Gates and
Warren Buffett in 2010, the Giving Pledge is a global,
multi-generational commitment by some of the world's wealthiest
individuals and couples to give more than half of their wealth to
philanthropy or charitable causes, either during their lifetimes or
in their wills.

The new signatories announced today are:

- Tegan and Brian Acton
- Brian Armstrong
- Stewart and Sandy Bainum
- MacKenzie Bezos
- Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Bin Musallam Bin Ham Al-Ameri
- Ben Delo
- Jeremy and Hanne Grantham
- David and Claudia Harding
- Sonia and Paul Tudor Jones
- Ryan D. "Jume" Jumonville
- Erica and Jeff Lawson
- Francine A. LeFrak and Rick Friedberg
- Daoming Liu
- John and Marcy McCall MacBain
- Emily and Mitchell Rales
- Chris and Crystal Sacca
- Paul and Jennifer Sciarra
- Nicolai and Katja Tangen
- Robert and Jane Toll

"We are thrilled to welcome this year's group of Giving Pledge
signatories to the community, which has grown to more than 200 people
in just nine years," said Warren Buffett. "The generosity of this
group is a reflection of the inspiration we take from the many
millions of people who work quietly and effectively to create a
better world for others, often at great personal sacrifice."

Many of the new signatories to the Giving Pledge are already
engaged in philanthropy, providing support to a range of causes
including climate change, education, poverty alleviation, medical
research, healthcare services, economic development, and social
justice. These individuals and couples have come together from a wide
range of fields - including finance, technology, healthcare and real
estate development - to commit the majority of their wealth to
tackling some of society's most pressing problems.

This week, the Giving Pledge signatories convene for an annual
two-day learning conference to discuss their experiences in giving
and to learn from each other and outside experts about how to be most
effective with their philanthropy. Topics to be discussed at this
year's annual gathering include how philanthropy can make a
difference in areas such as education, climate and clean energy,
equity and access to health care, community development, and disaster
relief. People who have joined the Giving Pledge are united by a
shared commitment to learning (http://givingpledge.org/Videos.aspx)
and giving, and they participate in ongoing learning events
throughout the year in addition to the annual conference.

About the Giving Pledge

The Giving Pledge is a global, multi-generational commitment by
the world's wealthiest individuals and couples that aims to create a
greater culture of giving in order to help tackle society's most
pressing problems. Signatories of the Giving Pledge make a moral
commitment to give more than half of their wealth to philanthropy or
charitable causes. They also come together to learn and share
knowledge in order to continue to improve the effectiveness of
philanthropic giving.

The 204 pledgers range in age from 33 to 95. Globally, signatories
represent 23 countries: Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Cyprus,
Germany, India, Indonesia, Israel, Malaysia, Monaco, Norway, Russia,
Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, South Africa, Switzerland, Tanzania, Turkey,
Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United
States. In the United States, pledgers hail from 30 states and the
District of Columbia, with the largest contingents from California
and New York.

The Giving Pledge does not involve either pooling or granting
funds or requirements to support any particular cause or
organization.

For the full list of pledgers and their personal letters stating
their commitment to give, visit www.givingpledge.org.

ots Originaltext: The Giving Pledge
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

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