Former Amazon chief Jeff Bezos is the most recent tech CEO hoping to be identified for his philanthropy. The Amazon founder informed CNN in an interview that he intends to present most of his internet value (at the moment $124 billion) to charity throughout his lifetime. Most of it is going to go towards both countering local weather change or supporting those that can create “unity” for humanity. While Bezos shared few particulars, he and accomplice Lauren Sánchez stated they have been “building the capacity” to present this fortune to others and hope to profit from the funding.
Before the revelation, Bezos announced a $100 million donation to singer and literacy advocate Dolly Parton. The government beforehand pledged $10 billion over the course of a decade to the Bezos Earth Fund, which goals to drive political and technological options to human-made local weather change. Bezos’ ex-wife, MacKenzie Scott, has already given away about $4 billion to organizations up to now a number of months.
The technique is acquainted. Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates is well-known for donating to charities and scientific analysis by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and (together with Warren Buffett) based The Giving Pledge to encourage billionaires to contribute not less than half of their cash to good causes. In 2015, Meta co-founder Mark Zuckerberg promised to donate 99 % of his firm shares, then value $45 billion, to the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. The Facebook creator signed The Giving Pledge in 2010. Bezos hasn’t signed the pledge, though this transfer would qualify.
As with different tech CEOs making massive donations, although, Bezos faces criticism over his legacy. Amazon has repeatedly fought local weather laws, and noticed its emissions spike in 2021 regardless of a dedication to lowering its environmental influence. And whereas he has argued that Amazon must deal with its staff higher, the tough warehouse working situations on the coronary heart of the problem emerged beneath his watch.
There are additionally questions as to why he waited till now to present most of his cash to charity. While he has typically made charitable pledges, he has additionally poured funds into aspect tasks that have not achieved a lot to advance humanity, not less than not within the brief time period — sending wealthy folks into house with Blue Origin, for instance. As with Gates and Zuckerberg, there is a concern Bezos is attempting to fix his popularity by offloading most of his wealth.
All merchandise really helpful by Engadget are chosen by our editorial group, impartial of our guardian firm. Some of our tales embody affiliate hyperlinks. If you purchase one thing by considered one of these hyperlinks, we might earn an affiliate fee. All costs are right on the time of publishing.
#Jeff #Bezos #plans #give #cash #charity #Engadget
