The Giving Pledge, founded in 2010 by Bill Gates, Melinda French Gates, and Warren Buffett, intends to develop a culture of generosity among the world's wealthiest people in order to address the world's most pressing challenges.
This year's signatories include individuals and couples from eight countries, ranging from the United States to Australia and India.
Additionally, the list contains 11 billionaires, an increase from the seven billionaires who pledged in 2020. he total number of new members increased from 11 in 2020 to 14.
The new billionaires collectively have an estimated net worth of $48 billion, with Canva's co-founders Melanie Perkins and Cliff Obrecht being the wealthiest with an estimated net value of $13 billion.
The group's richest member is Boem-su Kim, the founder of South Korea's largest messaging app, Kakao, who is believed to be worth $11.4 billion.
In a statement, Gates said, ha has always felt that "if you have the chance to help other people, you should take it."
The co-founder of Microsoft stated that the new group will continue to learn from one another and develop new strategies for maximizing the "positive effects" of their charity.
Jon Ayers, the current chairman of Panthera, the global organization dedicated to wild cat conservation, and the former CEO of IDEXX Laboratories, also signed the commitment with his wife, Helaine. Jon indicated that they desired to learn from other philanthropists in order to improve their contribution.
The couple is now the world's largest private lion conservation donors. Ayers committed $20 million to Panthera earlier this year for the next decade to help rescue wild cats and their ecosystems all across the world.
Other new Giving Pledge benefactors have discovered causes that are very meaningful to them.
Jack Schuler, who was the former president of Abbott Labs and a founding investor in Ventana Medical Systems, want to give away his entire fortune to the Schuler Education Foundation, which he founded to help underprivileged children attend premier universities.
Shift4 Payments CEO Jared Isaacman and his wife, Monica, signed the pledge after Isaacman pledged $100 million to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Jared raised millions more for St. Jude by participating in a three-day private mission with three other space travelers in September.
Anil Agarwal of India, Steven Schuurman of the Netherlands, David Vélez of Brazil, and Mariel Reyes of Brazil also committed to The Giving Pledge. Americans Ric and Brenda Elias, Jeff T. Green, and Byron and Tina Trott also committed to the charitable cause.
