Warren Buffett donates $6 billion in Berkshire Hathaway stock to the Gates Foundation and four family charities, marking his largest annual charitable gift.
Omaha, Nebraska: In a landmark act of philanthropy, legendary investor and Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett has donated a staggering $6 billion worth of company shares to five nonprofit foundations. This marks Buffett’s largest single-year gift since he pledged in 2006 to give away nearly all of his fortune.
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust, the world’s largest private charitable foundation, is the primary recipient of this year’s gift, receiving around 9.43 million Class B shares, valued at approximately $4.6 billion. The remaining 2.93 million shares were distributed among four Buffett family charities:
- Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation
- Sherwood Foundation
- Howard G. Buffett Foundation
- NoVo Foundation
Each of the three smaller foundations received approximately 660,366 shares, while the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation was granted 943,384 shares.
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Continuing a Legacy of Giving
This donation, scheduled for official delivery on June 30, 2025, continues Warren Buffett’s long-standing tradition of annual philanthropic gifts. Now 94 years old, Buffett first committed in 2006 to gradually donate more than 99% of his wealth. With this year’s contribution, Buffett’s total lifetime giving exceeds $60 billion.
In a brief statement, Warren Buffett reaffirmed his belief in philanthropy as a means of creating systemic impact:
“My family and I continue to believe that a significant portion of wealth should benefit others during our lifetimes,” Buffett said.
The Gates Foundation: A Key Beneficiary
The Gates Foundation has been Warren Buffett’s largest beneficiary over the years, reflecting his close friendship with Bill and Melinda Gates. The foundation focuses on global health, education, gender equality, and economic development, especially in underserved regions.
This year’s donation comes at a time when the Gates Foundation is expanding its global outreach under a new strategic plan emphasizing pandemic preparedness, AI in public health, and climate-resilient agriculture.
A Model for Billionaire Philanthropy
Buffett is widely regarded as the moral compass of billionaire philanthropy. Along with Bill and Melinda Gates, he co-founded the Giving Pledge, an initiative that encourages billionaires to commit at least half their wealth to charitable causes during their lifetimes or in their wills.
Unlike many ultra-wealthy individuals who create tightly controlled foundations, Buffett has given vast sums to independent organizations. He has often emphasized trust in leadership over micromanagement:
“Giving away money is easy. Doing it wisely is the hard part. That’s why I entrust my gifts to people I trust,” Buffett has said in the past.
What’s Next for Buffett?
Despite stepping down from many public roles, Buffett remains Chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, overseeing a vast business empire with interests in railroads, insurance, consumer goods, and energy. He has signaled no immediate intention to slow down his giving, making it clear that more donations will follow annually as long as he is able.
Buffett’s commitment has reshaped how the world views wealth and responsibility. As wealth inequality continues to rise globally, his actions send a powerful message: that capitalism and compassion can coexist, and that wealth can be a tool for transformative change.
Conclusion
Warren Buffett’s $6 billion donation in 2025 not only represents a remarkable act of giving but also reaffirms his lifelong mission to use wealth for the betterment of society. As philanthropies like the Gates Foundation expand their global impact, Buffett’s generosity continues to shape the future of giving—one share at a time.