The Most Powerful Heirs in Philanthropy
As the rich get richer and wealth consolidates in the form of an entire class of billionaires, the children of the uber-wealthy are becoming more than just passing tabloid curiosities. They are the inevitable beneficiaries of an unprecedented accumulation of wealth, and what they choose to do with it will shape philanthropy and nonprofits for decades to come.
As such, we sought to map out the landscape of the most powerful heirs in the world of philanthropy. The result was an even larger and more varied picture than we expected, including younger generations just getting started, lesser-known but long-active philanthropists, and old money descendants of long-gone moguls.
To bring some structure to the list, we decided to group these heirs into the following categories—Stewards, Reinventors, Builders, Activists and Successors—which we think captures the spirit of their giving to date.
This process, as with the creation of all such lists, for that matter, was less than scientific, but yielded a fascinating portrait of the way intergenerational fortunes play out. While this kind of dynastic influence is troubling in any democracy, the commitment to giving among some wealthy families is also impressive, and many of these heirs are funding important work on issues like inequality, climate change, and social justice.
In other words, it’s a complex group that can’t be painted with a broad brush. But in all cases, they are making waves, and they have our attention as they deploy their family fortunes in years to come.
IP Staff