Corporate Ties and Buffett’s Charitable Giving

Philanthropy among the wealthy is at its highest, according to The New York Times, with the effects multiplied as a result of the involvement of the federal government with regard to charitable tax breaks (see article). Curious to see how common connections may be valid in determining what donations go where, we created an IntellectSpace Knowledge Map of the ties between Bill Gates and Warren Buffett. Corporate relationships likely explain Buffett’s hefty 2006 pledge of $30 billion to the Gates Foundation.

Gates has a clear link to Buffett through Berkshire Hathaway, as clearly shown on this Knowledge Map. The Microsoft Founder has been a Director of Buffett’s holding company since 2004, and would then also have close ties to Buffett’s wife and Howard Buffett, their son. Both are also Directors at Berkshire Hathaway and as family, were likely very involved in Buffett’s decision to offer such a huge chunk of his net worth to Gates’ foundation.

Bill Gates’ wife and Co-Chairman of the foundation, Melinda French Gates, is also well acquainted with Buffett through corporate involvement. The two currently serve together as Directors of The Washington Post Company, and it is likely that this relationship also factored in to Buffett’s generous offer.

Click here for an interactive version of this IntellectSpace Knowledge Map (Internet Explorer browsers only): http://nv.intellectspace.com/ispace/GuestMonitor.aspx?id=384f6f5c-57f4-4946-8180-bb868a88d760