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Michael Bloomberg Tops Philanthropy 50 List Again with Record $3.7Bin Donations but Little for Israel & Jewish Charities
Edited by: TJVNews.com
For the second consecutive year, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has been recognized as the most generous American philanthropist, according to The Associated Press, citing the Chronicle of Philanthropy’s annual Philanthropy 50 list. Bloomberg contributed an extraordinary $3.7 billion in 2024 to support a broad range of causes, including the arts, education, environmental initiatives, public health organizations, and programs aimed at strengthening city governments. His donations were made directly to charities and through Bloomberg Philanthropies, which played a pivotal role in reshaping access to medical education last year.
As reported by The Associated Press, one of Bloomberg’s most significant philanthropic moves in 2024 was his landmark $1 billion grant to his alma mater, Johns Hopkins University. This historic donation was dedicated to making medical school tuition-free and expanding financial aid for nursing and public health students. His investment in education continues his long-standing belief in the power of learning to transform society. “I’ve never understood people who wait until they die to give away their wealth. Why deny yourself the satisfaction?” Bloomberg stated in an email to the Chronicle of Philanthropy, as quoted by The Associated Press. “I’ve been very lucky, and I’m determined to do what I can to open doors for others and to leave a better world for my children and grandchildren.”
Bloomberg was not alone in making billion-dollar donations in 2024. According to The Associated Press, he was one of six individuals or couples to give at least $1 billion to philanthropic causes. The others included Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings and his wife, Patty Quillin, who took the No. 2 spot, followed by Dell Technologies founder Michael Dell and his wife, Susan Dell, in third place. Legendary investor Warren Buffett ranked fourth, while Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, physician Priscilla Chan, secured the fifth position. Rounding out the top six was retired professor Ruth Gottesman, whose philanthropic efforts mirrored Bloomberg’s focus on medical education.
As highlighted by The Associated Press, Gottesman’s $1 billion donation was directed toward the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, with the goal of making tuition-free medical education a reality for aspiring doctors. This reflects a growing trend among billionaire philanthropists who are increasingly directing their wealth toward initiatives aimed at alleviating financial barriers to higher education. Many of the gifts made by the top donors on the list were funneled into foundations and donor-advised funds that support a diverse array of causes, including education, economic mobility, social justice, and scientific research.
In 2023, The Chronicle of Philanthropy also placed Bloomberg on the top of the list of those who made substantial financial contributions to charitable causes. He gave a staggering $3 billion in donations to a wide range of causes, including the arts, education, environmental initiatives, public health, and programs aimed at improving city governments worldwide.
Following Bloomberg in second place is Phil Knight, co-founder of Nike, alongside his wife, Penny Knight. The couple donated $1.24 billion, with a significant portion directed toward the University of Oregon and efforts to combat poverty in Portland, Oregon. Their continued support for education and economic empowerment highlights their long-standing dedication to philanthropy. Meanwhile, in third place, Michael and Susan Dell, founders of Dell Technologies, contributed nearly $976 million to various charitable organizations through their Dell Foundation, making a lasting impact on education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation.
Beyond tech and finance billionaires, the home improvement industry also made a strong showing on the 2023 list. The three co-founders of Home Depot—Bernie Marcus, Ken Langone, and Arthur Blank—were recognized for their significant contributions. Their philanthropy reflected a broad spectrum of initiatives, from healthcare and veterans’ support to education and economic empowerment, reinforcing their dedication to community development and social impact.
Collectively, the top 50 philanthropists donated an impressive $11.9 billion to charitable organizations in 2023. This figure highlights the extraordinary financial resources being directed toward social good, but it also raises questions about the broader potential for philanthropy among America’s ultra-wealthy. The median donation among these top donors was $100 million, a sum that, while significant, also suggests that many of the country’s wealthiest individuals have ample capacity to give more.
But Where Is His Support for Israel?
Michael Bloomberg has rightfully earned a reputation as one of the most generous philanthropists of our time. His largesse has reshaped the landscape of medical education, public health, climate change policy, and economic mobility. In just the past year, his Bloomberg Philanthropies has made several transformative gifts including $1 billion to Johns Hopkins University (July 2024) to eliminate tuition for medical students, $600 million to Historically Black Medical Schools (August 2024) in one of the largest-ever private donations to HBCUs and a pledge to cover U.S. climate commitments (January 2025) in response to Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement.
These initiatives are noble. They will improve lives, create opportunities, and contribute to the betterment of society. But as Bloomberg pours billions into causes around the world, an urgent and deeply troubling question arises: Why has he done so little for Israel at a time when the Jewish state is facing its greatest crisis in decades?
Bloomberg is Jewish, and while he has never been known as a major donor to Jewish causes, one would expect that the worst attack against Jews since the Holocaust—Hamas’s barbaric October 7, 2023 massacre—would move him to act with the same financial force that he has shown elsewhere. Yet, his support for Israel has been shockingly modest compared to his other philanthropic endeavors.
Since the attack, Bloomberg has donated $44 million to Magen David Adom, Israel’s emergency medical service and pledged $28 million to help rebuild Israeli communities destroyed by Hamas’s onslaught. This $72 million total, while meaningful, pales in comparison to the $1 billion for a single U.S. medical school or the $600 million to Black medical institutions. It is less than 10% of what he has pledged to other causes in the past year alone.
Let’s be clear: Israel is fighting for its survival. Entire communities were decimated on October 7. The psychological trauma suffered by Israelis is immeasurable. The nation is now engaged in a multi-front war against Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and an ever-growing Iranian threat. Israel needs every ounce of financial and moral support it can get from the global Jewish community.
If Bloomberg can step in to fill the U.S. government’s financial gaps in global climate agreements, why can’t he use his wealth to fill the funding void for Israel’s humanitarian and defense efforts? If he can prioritize minority medical education in America with a $600 million gift, why can’t he devote at least a fraction of that to ensure the survival of the only Jewish state?
Unfortunately, Bloomberg is not alone in this dereliction of responsibility. Other Jewish billionaires, many of whom built their fortunes in the United States while enjoying the benefits of Jewish communal networks and support, have been conspicuously absent in Israel’s time of need.
Where is Mark Zuckerberg? With a net worth exceeding $120 billion, one of the world’s wealthiest Jews has given virtually nothing to help Israel’s war-torn communities recover. Facebook, now Meta, has allowed anti-Israel propaganda and incitement to flourish on its platforms. His inaction is unacceptable.
Where are the Jewish billionaires who founded Home Depot—Bernie Marcus, Kenneth Langone, Arthur Blank? Marcus has a long history of philanthropy and conservative activism, yet his contributions to Israel in this time of crisis have been underwhelming. The same can be said for other high-profile Jewish billionaires who have poured millions into progressive, environmental, and diversity initiatives but have failed to stand by Israel in its darkest hour.
Bloomberg, Zuckerberg, Marcus, Michael Dell and others have the right to choose how they allocate their wealth. But philanthropy is not just about writing checks—it is about prioritization. It reflects who and what a donor values most. If Bloomberg sees fit to invest billions in climate policy, education, and public health, but can only muster a fraction of that for Israel, it sends a clear and troubling message:
The survival of the Jewish people’s homeland is not a top priority for him. The lives of murdered, kidnapped, and traumatized Israelis are not as urgent as eliminating medical school debt for American students.
Israel’s security, which ensures that Jews worldwide have a place to seek refuge, is an afterthought compared to funding non-Jewish institutions. This is not just a missed opportunity—it is a moral failing.
If Bloomberg, Zuckerberg, and others truly care about Jewish survival and continuity, they must act now. Here’s how:
Massive Financial Support for Israeli Reconstruction
Just as Bloomberg gave $600 million to Black medical schools, he should donate at least $500 million to rebuilding Israel’s devastated communities. Thousands of Israelis are homeless, traumatized, and in desperate need of assistance.
Sustained Long-Term Commitment to Israeli Security and Economy
Israel’s war effort is costly. While the government is handling defense spending, private philanthropy can ensure mental health services, family support programs, and economic recovery for those affected by the war.
Publicly Challenge Anti-Israel Narratives in Philanthropy and Business
Bloomberg and Zuckerberg control enormous media and business empires. They should use their influence to push back against the rising wave of anti-Semitism and counter the delegitimization of Israel.
Encourage Other Jewish Billionaires to Step Up
If George Soros can give billions to left-wing causes, if Bill Gates can spend billions on global health, then Jewish billionaires must be just as bold for Israel. They must lead by example and rally others to do the same.
Jews have always understood that with great success comes great responsibility. The Rothschilds, Montefiores, and Bronfmans of past generations prioritized Jewish survival, education, and security in their philanthropy. Today’s Jewish billionaires, however, seem to have forgotten this legacy.
Michael Bloomberg has the opportunity to correct this course—to honor his heritage, to support the Jewish homeland, and to ensure that Israel not only survives but thrives. But time is running out.
To Bloomberg, Zuckerberg, Marcus, and every other Jewish billionaire: your money has changed the world in many ways—but if you do not step up for Israel now, history will remember your failure.
