Survey reveals: Jewish donors dominate America’s philanthropy from Bloomberg to Zuckerberg

Survey Reveals: One-Third of America’s Top Donors Are Jewish, Led by Bloomberg’s $3.7 Billion

The former New York City mayor and billionaire mogul donated an astounding $3.7 billion, dwarfing the contributions of his peers and securing his place as the nation’s leading philanthropist. In comparison, Netflix co-founder Wilmot Reed Hastings Jr. and his wife Patricia, who ranked second, gave $1.6 million—a figure Bloomberg doubled. The report highlights a stark contrast: while the top 50 philanthropists collectively donated $16.2 billion last year, only 19 of the 400 wealthiest Americans gave enough to make the list, suggesting most billionaires prefer to hoard their riches.

Bloomberg’s generosity spans a wide array of causes. He contributed over 1 million shekels to rebuild Israel’s north, $44 million to Magen David Adom’s emergency health services, and significant sums to Johns Hopkins University, his alma mater, ensuring free tuition for medical students and aid for nursing and public health programs. “I’ve never understood people who wait until they die to give away their wealth,” Bloomberg wrote to the Chronicle. “I’m determined to open doors for others and leave a better world for my kids and grandkids.”

Other notable Jewish philanthropists include Michael Dell and his wife, who donated $1.4 billion to land third place; Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, giving $1.1 million to education, medical research, and social reforms for fifth place; Google’s Sergey Brin, with $205 million, ranking 15th; and Sheryl Sandberg, donating $125 million and ranking 23rd, notably supporting Israeli women affected by Hamas’ October 7 atrocities.

Yet, the report raises questions about philanthropy’s broader impact. Critics argue that such giving grants billionaires undue influence over education, health, and public narratives—pointing to Elon Musk’s post-election sway in Trump’s administration as a prime example. While Jewish donors shine, the reluctance of most billionaires to give suggests wealth remains tightly guarded, even in a culture that celebrates generosity.