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Microsoft co-founder pledges $7 billion to philanthropy

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 17 Jul 2010 6:04 User comments (3)

Microsoft co-founder pledges $7 billion to philanthropy Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, who left the company as an executive in the 80s while fighting cancer, has pledged $7 billion of his $13.5 billion fortune to philanthropy after he dies.
The decision follows the footsteps of Bill Gates and Warren Buffett, who have both pledged billions to philanthropy.

Allen and Gates founded Microsoft in 1975, and the company was long the largest tech company in the world, only recently overtaken by Apple in terms of market cap.

Over the last twenty years, through his Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, the billionaire has handed out $1 billion in grants.

"Today I also want to announce that my philanthropic efforts will continue after my lifetime,"
said Allen. "I've planned for many years now that the majority of my estate will be left to philanthropy to continue the work of the Foundation and to fund nonprofit scientific research."



There was no word on how the money would be directed after his death.

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3 user comments

118.7.2010 10:39

good to see that happeneing :)

218.7.2010 18:47

Originally posted by shaffaaf:
good to see that happeneing :)
indeed, even if it doesn't reach its intended destination. at least the thought was there

319.7.2010 00:23

Smart men that made it rich, know they can't take it with them.
If there are golden gates, moves like this may just buy them a free pass.

Nice to see them do the right thing and give something back.

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