Jasmine McGinnis Johnson – The Conversation

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and his ex-wife, Melinda French Gates, gave their foundation $15 billion right before their divorce became final. Ludovic Marin/AFP via Getty ImagesLudovic Marin/AFP via Getty Images

February 8, 2022

The 50 biggest US donors gave or pledged nearly $28 billion in 2021 – Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates account for $15 billion of that total

David Campbell, Binghamton University, State University of New York; Elizabeth J. Dale, Seattle University, and Jasmine McGinnis Johnson, George Washington University

Three scholars weigh in regarding the priorities of these wealthy American donors, who gave less to social service and racial justice groups than in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jeff Bezos and MacKenzie Scott, seen here before they divorced in 2019, were the top two U.S. charitable donors the following year. Jorg Carstensen/dpa/AFP via Getty Images

February 9, 2021

What the $25 billion the biggest US donors gave in 2020 says about high‑dollar charity today

David Campbell, Binghamton University, State University of New York; Elizabeth J. Dale, Seattle University, and Jasmine McGinnis Johnson, George Washington University

While support for social services and historically black colleges and universities rose sharply, these donors spent a tiny fraction of what the government distributed to people who needed help.

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