The Wealthy Founders who Try to Change the World

As more wealthy people decide to give back, we can expect a better world in the future.

After the baby of Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan was born, they announced that they will donate a large part of their $45 billion fortune.  The announcement created both criticism and praise, some critics saying that they used the attention brought to them by the birth of their first child. So they formed the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, which has the purpose of supporting equality and human potential for the next generation children.  Their original initiative could place them among the wealthy founders who try to change the world .

Nonetheless, it seems that lately, wealthy owners of tech companies are trying to change the world not only through the technology they create, but through philanthropy and social and cultural change as well.

When it comes to cultural change, Jorge Pérez and Patricia and Phillip Frost should be mentioned. Jorge Pérez is an American billionaire who decided to donate $35 million, consisting of art and cash, to the Miami Art Museum.The museum the decided to change its name to the Jorge M. Pérez Art Museum of Miami-Dade County. Phillip Frost is an American entrepreneur who donated $33 million to the School of Music in Miami, which was renamed Phillip and Patricia Frost School of Music. That was the largest donation to a music school in the United States up to that date. They also donated $35 million to the Miami Science Museum, which was also named after them.

As Zuckerberg’s initiative is so talked about, let’s keep in mind that other tech founders brought important changes to the world as well. For example, Pierre Omidyar, the founder of eBay set up the Omidyar Network which invests in organizations that deal with environmental and social problems. The Omidyar Network has donated more than $780 million, since it was found in 2004. The network was founded on the belief that every person has the ability to make  a difference. They create opportunities for people and make changes that improve the life quality.

Another great example is the Tipping Point Community, founded by David Lurie in 2005. This initiative focuses on solving problems like access to education, helping people who come out of jail, and breaking cycles of poverty. Since it was founded, Tipping Point has supported more than 500,000 people in need and raised $100 million.

Bill Gates, Eric Schimdt, Mark Benioff and Priscilla and Mark Zuckerberg are among the wealthy founders who try to change the world.

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