7 Green Philanthropists Making a Difference, $1 Million at a Time
Photo via Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing
When it comes to supporting environmental causes, even the small donations can mean big changes--the non-profit Foundation Center reports that less than $100 million was earmarked for climate change efforts in 2000 as compared to more than $850 million in 2008. Of course, some people can give more than others: Here, we've tracked down seven individuals and organizations known for their generous donations to air and water quality, endangered species, greenhouse gas cuts, and land conservation. And even if you don't have $1 million extra dollars to spare, you might just find your next favorite cause.
1. Gordon and Betty Moore
What They Give: About $183 million each year
How They Made It: Gordon Moore started his career in technology by co-founding Fairchild Semiconductor in 1957, but it's his work as a founder, president, chairman, CEO, and chairman emeritus of Intel that made the biggest impact. He's also the Moore in Moore's Law, which inspired the industry to double the number of semiconductors that can fit on a computer chip every year--so you have him to thank for being able to afford a phone that accesses the internet and fits in your pocket.
Where They Spend It: The Moores set up the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation in September 2000 to fund improvements in environmental conservation, science, and the San Francisco Bay Area. They've donated to everything from the Alaska Conservation Foundation to the Woods Hole Research Center; endowed the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at the University of California; and developed initiatives to preserve the Andes-Amazon region, protect North Pacific salmon, and maintain marine ecosystems.
2. Doug and Kris Tompkins
Photo via Guardian/Robin Hammond
What They Give: About $275 million as of October 2009How They Made It: The Tompkins turned to fashion for their fortune: Doug Tompkins started both Esprit and The North Face, and cashed in big when he sold his Esprit stock in 1990; Kris Tompkins spent 18 years as CEO of Patagonia.
Where They Spend It: The Tompkins set up two conservation organizations--Conservation Land Trust and Conservacion Patagonica--to preserve wild habitats in Argentina and Chile. Through Conservation Land Trust, Doug Tompkins purchased and protected more than 700,000 acres to create Pumalin Park and is working on a similar park-creation project in Argentina; through Conservacion Patagonica, Kris Tompkins spearheaded the 2004 purchase of 173,000 acres in Chile as the site of the future Patagonia National Park. They've faced local opposition on all the projects--mostly, they say, because what they're doing is so uncommon in the region. As Kris told CNN, "'Buying land, conserving it, and shepherding it towards national park status, yes, it is probably legitimate to call us pioneers.'"
3. Ted Turner
Photo via TreeHugger
What He Gives: More than $1.5 billion to date--plus he owns more than 2 million acres of land, much of it protected.How He Made It: Ted Turner's famous for his television entrepreneurship: He started TBS in 1976, CNN in 1980, and then added TNT, Cartoon Network, CNN Headline News, and CNN International to his holdings; bought Castle Rock Entertainment and New Line Cinema, and merged his company with Time Warner in 1996.
Where He Spends It: Known as much for his personal life as he is for his philanthropy, Turner donates to several foundations: Turner Foundation, which works for better air and water quality, sustainable energy sources, and wildlife protection; Turner Endangered Species Fund, which focuses on the biodiversity of Turner's protected ranches; the United Nations Foundation, which received a $1 billion pledge from Turner in 1997; and the Nuclear Threat Initiative, which attempts to "reduce the global threats from nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons."
4. David Gelbaum
Photo via pv-tech.org
What He Gives: More than $380 million since 2005How He Made It: Venture capitalist David Gelbaum and his Quercus Trust have invested in more than 40 green technology companies, including Entech Solar, BlueFire Ethanol, and GridPoint Energy.
Where He Spends It: Most of Gelbaum's donations went to the California Community Foundation's Iraq-Afghanistan Deployment Impact Fund, which helps the families of deployed troops. But he also made annual donations totaling almost $50 million to the Sierra Club and nearly $95 million to the ACLU--until this year, when the famously private giver made a public statement admitting his philanthropy would decrease as a result of the economy. He also has a history of donating to California's conservation efforts and wilderness education programs.
