40 wealthy families pledge to donate their money to charity

Updated 6m ago

SEATTLE (AP) — Forty wealthy families and individuals have joined Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and billionaire investor Warren Buffett in a pledge to give at least half their wealth to charity.

Six weeks after launching a campaign to get other billionaires to donate most of their fortunes, the chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway released the first list Wednesday of people who have signed what he and Gates call the "giving pledge."

LIST: See the 40 peoeple who made the pledge

Buffett decided in 2006 to give 99% of his fortune to charity. Then, he was worth about $44 billion. After five years of investment returns while making annual gifts to five foundations, Buffett's fortune totals nearly $46 billion.

In addition to making a donation commitment, Gates and Buffett are asking billionaires to pledge to give wisely and learn from their peers.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/companies ... edge_N.htm