Charity and philanthropy have been a great virtue of humanity. Sharing and helping the needy is termed as a great “work of God” in many religions and cultures, all over the globe. Although, the concept of philanthropy is greatly associated with the rich, wealthy and celebrities. The concept is that they have more to share with society. The world has remembered many “male” names like Rockefeller, Carnegie, etc., in the area of philanthropy. However, the women’s power is never back when it comes to giving back to society. Let’s learn about some female philanthropists in the world.
Women in Philanthropy: Let’s talk about something which is often less talked about
Women, for centuries and across cultures all over the world is considered the symbol of high compassion, empathy and benevolence. A “giver” by nature, the contribution of women cannot be ignored in the shaping of the history of a country, around the world. As International Women’s Day is to be celebrated on 8th March, let’s explore this unseen or less publicised side of women and give our word of thanks and appreciation to women’s power in charity and philanthropy.
Here are some major names in the world of philanthropy:
Melinda French Gates
With the overall net worth of around $10.9 Billion, Melinda French Gates resides on the top of the list of the leading female philanthropists. She is constantly working towards the upliftment and betterment of the underprivileged communities and healthcare.
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation was founded with her ex husband founder of Microsoft & once the richest man on earth, Bill Gates. It is the world’s second largest philanthropist organisation after UNICEF. With a funding of around $70 Billion, the organisation works in about 130 countries, especially in South East Asia, Africa and the Middle East, for the eradication of poverty, uneducation and for better health facilities, gender equality, with maternal and child care facilities. In the fourth quarter of 2022, her organisation provided around $71 Billion as grants. Her personal donations to date amount to $39 billion.
MacKenzie Scott
Ex-wife of Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon Inc. and a novelist, she has a networth of around $41.1 Billion, of which $38.3 Billion is received as Amazon stocks and 4% as the online retailer. She has pledged to donate all her wealth to charity. She prefers to provide the helps and charity in the form of gifts and vouchers. She and her organisation are often put under scrutiny for the disproportionate reimbursement of the monetary resources and the funds. However, it doesn’t affect her from running her philanthropic activities. Her organisation is working with around 1900+ NGO’s and towards the betterment of society for economic welfare, education, social equity and justice.
Oprah Winfrey
The world-renowned media personality and philanthropist, Oprah Winfrey, is a reputable name when it comes to charity and human welfare. The Talk Show icon has a networth of around $2.5 Billion and is a well-regarded name worldwide.
In the year 1987, she founded Oprah Winfrey Charitable Foundation, which is working in multiple verticals including education, child and mother welfare, public sanitation, nutrition and medical facilities. Other than this, she founded People’s Fund, with Dwayne Johnson, for the betterment of the public condition in the African continent and raised $60 millions. Also, during the COVID-19 pandemic, her organisation OWCF was one of the largest philnthrophic body which was working with local authorities and medical bodies to provide food, medicines and other medical supplies.
Selena Gomez
Singer, Actor, Entrepreneur, and Philanthropist, Selena Gomez has an overall networth of $700 million. Her status in pop culture and fan base make a significant impact when it comes to philanthropy and public welfare. At the age of 17, she was appointed as a UN goodwill ambassador and has supported a great number of organisations working in Ghana and Nepal. She is also connected to more than 15 welfare institutes, including Make a Wish Foundation, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and childcare and health facilities.
Also Read: Neeraj Vora: The Forgotten Mastermind Who Gave Bollywood Its Funniest Films
Top Female Philanthropist in India
In India, where donation and charity are considered major virtue, females have not been behind when it comes to philanthropy and social welfare. Here are some of the leading female philanthropists in India.
Nita Ambani
Chairperson of Reliance Foundation, she is a renowned name and is known for her charity and social welfare works. She is very instrumental for female education and upliftment, and her organisation provides vocational training and essential resources to the needy and underprivileged people in rural India.
Sudha Murty
As the Chairperson of Infosys Foundation, she is one of the leading female philanthropists in India. She is known to provide ample charity or donations to provide women care, child welfare, medical facilities, education and social support. Under her able leadership, Infosys Foundation has emerged as a major philanthropic organisation in India. Her consistent efforts towards social betterment made her gain India’s 4th highest civilian award, Padma Shri.
Kiran Majumdar- Shaw
Founder of Biocon Limited, Kiran Majumdar Shaw is a leading lady not only in the entrepreneurial panel but also in Philanthropic activities in India. Being a major name in the biotech sector in India, she is very firm and dedicated towards providing affordable and easily accessible medications in India. Her organisation is constantly working towards the eradication of diseases like cancer, COVID-19, and Diabetes. She is also very instrumental towards education and was the former chairperson of IIM, Bengaluru.
Rohini Nilekani
Wife of co-founder of Infosys, Nandan Nilekani, Rohini Nilekani, is one of the most reputed and highly regarded names in Indian Philanthropy. She founded EkStep, a non-profit organisation working towards education and rural upliftment. In addition to this, she advocates for safe drinking water and sanitation. Looking at her charitable efforts, she was inducted as a foreign honorary member of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Which is the world’s largest philanthropic and social welfare organisation in the World?
The United Nations Children’s Fund, or UNICEF, is the world’s largest philanthropic and social welfare fund in the world.
Q2. Which sector requires the highest number of social supports through philanthropy?
Child Mortality, Sanitation and Education is the sector that requires the highest number of social supports through philanthropy.
