Background Story

Warren Buffett is arguably one of the most successful investors of all time, and one of the most charitable individuals in his field. Buffett was born in 1930 in Omaha, Nebraska where he currently resides. Buffett had a knack for investing from an early age, and a business drive that gave him the means to become one of the richest men in the world. As a child, Buffett invested in multiple businesses, including purchasing pin balls machines with a friend, and running a paper business. At the young age of 16, Buffett went to college, earning his degree from the University of Nebraska by the time he was 20 years old. For a more comprehensive biography, visit biography.com.

Companies and Charitable Endeavors

Berkshire Hathaway

Berkshire Hathaway is a multinational holdings company based out of Buffett’s Hometown of Omaha, Nebraska. The company was originally a group of textile plants, which Buffett became the majority shareholder over in the 1960s. Driven by Buffett’s talent for investing, Berkshire Hathaway is now one of the world’s largest publicly-traded companies, and controls many well-known companies such a GEICO and Dairy Queen. For more information on Buffett’s multi-billion dollar company, see investopedia.com.

The Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation

This charitable organization, founded by Warren Buffett, was renamed the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation (originally the Warren Buffett Foundation), after the death of Buffett’s wife, Susan. The foundation raises money and provides scholarships for students in Nebraska to attend college. These competitive scholarships provide an opportunity to attend a public university for deserving students from Nebraska who otherwise wouldn’t have been able to receive this kind of education.  

Buffet’s Impact

Warren Buffett has donated to countless charities, including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, his own organization, and many others. According to reuters.com, “Buffett, 87, has since 2006 made more than $30.9 billion in donations to the charities, including roughly $24.5 billion to the Gates Foundation” and plans to give away his fortune. Buffett and his late wife, Susan, made The Giving Pledge, to donate 99% of their wealth to charities. Buffett is not only a wildly successful investor, but also an inspiration in the philanthropic world.