Some people feel philanthropy is only about foundations donating lots of money, but that’s only one part. Philanthropy is about people giving their time, help and care to causes they support, making the world a better place to live in. Philanthropic activities come in many forms, some people choose to contribute a huge sum of money to charity or create a park for the community. Some like to create facilities for recreation or provide scholarships for needy students. People love to hate rich people because they are often unaware of how the rich quite often use their fame and fortune for philanthropic purposes. The following is a list of 25 such outrageously rich people that understand the phrase “with great power comes great responsibility.” In no particular order:
1) Warren Buffett
Warren Buffett is no stranger to humble beginnings. As a boy, he delivered newspapers and filed his first tax return at the age of 13, claiming a deduction of $35 for his bicycle. Under the tutelage of guru Benjamin Graham, Buffett studied value investing at Columbia and went to be one of the greatest business minds of our time. America’s much-loved investor and the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway ranked in second place on The World’s Billionaires of 2007.
In his late age, Buffett has made a $31 billion commitment to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation that will sponsor efforts to improve education in the U.S. and health and standards of living worldwide. He has also allocated billions to autonomous family foundations like Howard G. Buffett Foundation, Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation and NoVo Foundation that support causes from worldwide conservation to reproductive health.
2) Donald Bren
Born and brought up in Los Angeles and then Newport Beach, California, Donald Bren obtained a degree in business administration and economics at the University of Washington where he also opted for graduate studies in the business school. He founded the Bren Company to build homes in Orange County in 1958 and worked day and night to a $4 billion valuation.
He is among the state’s most charitable philanthropists, directing his contributions so as to have a significant impact on research and education, as well as to support the conservation of species and natural habitat like the Irvine Ranch. Besides gifting $20 million to fund elementary fine arts, science and music programs at Irvine schools, he discreetly donated properties to retirement communities and schools.
3) Bernard Osher
Married but childless, Bernard Osher, a self-made millionaire, co-founded Golden West Financial in 1963 with his sister Marion and her husband, Herbert Sandler. Having already contributed over $700 million into the Bernard Osher Foundation that supports higher education, arts and integrative medicine in his native Maine and the San Francisco Bay region, Osher hopes to live long enough to be able to donate his entire fortune to similar causes.
Nearing his eighties, he operates a scholarship program for people who have crossed 50 and thanks to the Bernard Osher Foundation, the needs of older learners who always wanted to learn for personal satisfaction and joy have been met through the Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes across the U.S.
4) Alfred Mann
Having founded as many as 11 biomedical companies, Mann’s net worth exceeds $2.2 billion according to recent estimates. What does Mann plan to do with all that money? He hopes to put his wealth into biomedical research towards a healthier future for all of mankind.
The biotech entrepreneur has been instrumental in giving to the world some of the greatest advances in medicine like the Pacesetter pacemakers, cochlear implants, Minimed insulin pumps, Second Sight prosthetic retinas and Advanced Bionics neurostimulators. His latest efforts are being directed towards the research and development of an inhalable from of insulin, and cancer research. He works 90 hours each week and says he will give away his whole fortune to medical research and charity.
5) Michael Dell
Founder of Dell Computers, Michael attended the University of Texas with hopes of becoming a doctor. He soon deserted that goal and started selling computer equipment at the age of 19. Starting with just $1000 to his name, he created a more than $20 billion empire by the age of 40.
From 1999, his wife, Susan and he have contributed over $1.2 billion towards education and child development programs in Texas and post Hurricane Katrina, they gave $5 million to help the storm victims. They also contributed generously to micro-finance lenders in six biggest cities of India, making an effort to lift million of slum dwellers out of poverty. The Michael and Susan Dell Foundation is dedicated to making the lives of children better in the United States of America as well as internationally.
6) George Kaiser
Born in a family that had fled Nazi Germany and settled in Tulsa, the Kaiser family history isn’t one we would wish on anyone. Turning his family’s past into a motivating force, George Kaiser successfully received a bachelor’s degree and MBA from Harvard University. He then speedily took over the family owned Kaiser-Francis Oil Co. and then expanded into banking and real estate.
At the same time, through George Kaiser Family Foundation, he fights child poverty and serves as benefactor to the over 5,000 Jewish people in Oklahoma. Most often contributing quietly and without fanfare, Kaiser supports causes like public health campaigns and social services that help lessen poverty and improve living conditions for the average person. His Tulsa-based foundation has contributed in millions of dollars to improve and develop the economy in the local community. Kaiser says he plans to give more “until I die with one dollar left, assuming I can get the timing just right.”
7) Ruth Lilly
Ruth Lilly is the only living heir to the Eli Lilly fortune started out by Colonel Eli Lilly, her great-great grandfather. In November 2002 Lilly pledged $100 million worth of stock to the Poetry Foundation, a small nonprofit organization in Chicago that publishes Poetry Magazine, and another gift as large the Arts in Washington. From 1986 every year a living U.S. poet has been awarded the Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize of $100,000 for extraordinary accomplishments throughout his life. Lilly also supports health education, health care, historic preservation and youth programs.
8 ) Michael Bloomberg
The 108th Mayor of the New York City, Bloomberg was taught as very early the value of working hard and public responsibility. He went to John Hopkins University, paying his fees through loans and working as a parking lot attendant in summer, going on to earn an MBA from Harvard Business School and opening Bloomberg LP in 1981. Usually an anonymous donor, Bloomberg contributes around $140 million every year towards education, public health, arts and social services in New York. He has contributed to the World Trade Center Memorial Foundation and has already bought a townhouse for the foundation he wants to setup on the Upper East Side.
9) Veronica Atkins
Among the wealthiest women in the country, Mrs. Atkins, wife of the former Robert C. Atkins, is also said to be one of its most charitable, and has been featured among the top few philanthropists by Newsweek, BusinessWeek and the New York Times. Despite a traumatic childhood in which she fled Russia, she still supports a few Russian orphanages. When her husband, Dr. Robert Atkins passed away in 2003, she vowed to carry on with his mission to prevent disease and manage good health. She renamed her late husband’s private charity to the Dr. Robert C. and Veronica Atkins Foundation to show her dedication and increased the gifted professorships to eight hoping to see more results towards wiping out diabetes and obesity.
10) Jeff Skoll
Jeff Skoll was the founding president and second employee of eBay, the internet auction firm. With a fortune estimated to be more than $5 billion, he is known for using his wealth for charitable purposes and to setup Participant Productions, his autonomous movie production company. Skoll has setup a center for social entrepreneurship at the Oxford University where he holds a world forum every year on how to use good principles in business for the betterment of society.
He has also given the charitable Skoll Foundation $250 million worth of eBay stock, which the foundation uses to make grants of over $30 million per year. Skoll’s largest contribution has been $7.5 million to gift the first Canadian double degree program to gifted students; they earn Bachelors in Engineering and MBA in An 80-month program at the Toronto University.
11) Ted Turner
CNN founder Turner has not only gained success in cable television, but in real estate: Owning several ranches in America has made him the biggest single landowner in the U.S. Besides staying actively involved in his fast expanding Ted’s Montana Grill chain of restaurants, Turner devotes his time to making the world a safer, better place to live in.
He has pledged $1 billion to the UN and supports Nuclear Threat Initiative and Better World Fund foundations that he created to reduce nuclear weapons and make people aware of the UN’s programs. His other philanthropic interests include Turner Foundation, Capital Planet Foundation and the Turner Endangered Species Fund.
12) Bernard Marcus
Born to Jewish-Russian parents who immigrated to Newark, Bernard wished to become a doctor but settled for a pharmacy degree due to financial constraints and worked for his father, a cabinet-maker. Bernard Marcus co-founded Home Depot with Arthur Blank in 1978.
Through the Marcus Foundation, he funded the $290 million aquarium in his hometown of Atlanta. He founded and funded the Marcus Institute, a well-known center providing complete services to children having developmental disabilities. The foundation has no endowment but gets funding every year from Marcus, who wants to give away his fortune while he is still living.
13) Robert Meyerhoff
After graduating as a civil engineer from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Robert Meyerhoff joined the family construction business that he later left to setup Henderson-Webb, managing property and construction. With his wife, he developed an exceptional collection of post-World War II art worth $300 million that they have willed to the National Gallery of Art in Washington after his death.
Though the Meyerhoffs have contributed widely to education, the most noteworthy of all is the Meyerhoff Scholars Program created in 1988 at the University of Maryland in Baltimore County funding science and math scholarships to black students.
14) Paul Allen
Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen has made considerable donations to human services and health related organizations. He setup the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation in 1986 through which he grants about $30 million each year. A student of Washington State University, he donated to its music school. He donated even more to the University of Washington for a new library and a center for visual arts named after each parent. He is also a top contributor at $14 million of the Paul G. Allen Center for Computer Science & Engineering. His $100-million brain science institute will help sort out neurological disorders. The foundation also funds art and culture events, health, youth, community development and human services.
15) Thomas Monaghan
Entrepreneur Tom Monaghan founded the Domino’s Pizza chain in 1960. Thirty-eight years later and millions of dollars later, he sold it and gradually started devoting his time and money to Catholic philanthropy and political causes. His Vatican visit to see the Pope deepened his faith and he soon setup Ave Maria Radio, the Ave Maria List pro-life political action committee and the Thomas More Law Center, a law firm aimed at defending Christians’ rights in public interest.
His foundation also fights poverty in South and Central America. His private Ave Maria Foundation finances Catholic education, community projects, Catholic media and other Catholic charities which include a school in Michigan and the $250-million Ave Maria University centered on Catholic values and having a capacity of 6,000 students.
16) Thomas Boone Pickens, Jr.
An American businessman,T. Boone Pickens chairs the BP Capital Management hedge fund and has has been a well-known takeover operator since the 1980s. A football fan, he has donated $165 million to the athletics department of Oklahoma State University; the amount invested in the hedge fund is estimated to cross $300 million.
He has generously donated to the American Red Cross and the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children and is a volunteer for Meals on Wheels. Pickens has been financing the Stillwater campus of Oklahoma State University (OSU), his alma mater. This year Pickens gave $100 million dollars towards academics at the OSU. He has already donated over $700 million to charity.
17) J. K. Rowling
Named by Forbes as the first person to become a billionaire (in U.S. dollars) by writing books, this British children’s writer setup the Volant Charitable Trust, to help women and children fight poverty and social discrimination. It has a yearly budget of £5.1 million. The fund also donates to organizations that help children, single parent families and multiple sclerosis research.
She is president of One Parent Families, a nonprofit in the U.K. that educates, supports and advocates for single parents. A single parent, she has been among the organization’s main ambassadors and supporters from 2000. Rowling thinks that when one receives a lot more than one requires, one has a moral responsibility to do the wise thing with it and donate intelligently.
18) Oprah Winfrey
Chairman of Harpo Productions, Oprah Winfrey is an American television host and media magnate. The Oprah Winfrey Show, her talk show that has garnered international acclaim and won several Emmy awards, is rated at the top in television history. She is an Academy Award-nominated actress, a magazine publisher and a book critic.
Every year, Winfrey personally gives about $50 million to educate children, women, and families. She recently opened a youth center in her Mississippi hometown. She enhances her power of giving through her public charity, Oprah’s Angel Network, through which audience members get funded scholarships, women’s shelters and youth centers. She is among America’s top 50 most generous philanthropists, having contributed an approximate $303 million.
19) George Soros
George Soros was born in 1930 in Budapest, Hungary and immigrated to England in 1947, at the age of 17. After working as a restaurant waiter and a railroad porter, he graduated from the London School of Economics.
A global financier, George Soros founded and chairs a network of foundations that encourage the formation of open democratic societies based on market economies, the rule of law, transparent and accountable governance, respect for human rights and freedom of the press. He has been an active philanthropist since 1979, when he gave funds to assist black students attend University of Cape Town in apartheid South Africa.
Soros has donated over $6 billion, out of which $742 million has been directed to projects within the U.S.
20) Johns Hopkins
A wealthy entrepreneur and abolitionist from 19th century Baltimore, Hopkins is famous for the philanthropic creation of institutions that carry his name. Johns Hopkins died on Christmas Eve of 1873 leaving no heirs and $7 million, most of it in Baltimore & Ohio Railroad stock to setup his institutions. At the time this was the biggest single contribution made to educational institutions ever.
As per his request, the Johns Hopkins Colored Children Orphan Asylum was setup first in 1895 followed by Johns Hopkins University, the Johns Hopkins Press (longest running American academic press), Johns Hopkins Hospital and the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing in 1889, and the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in 1893.
21) Paul Newman
In a career spanning 45 years, Newman’s face can be instantly recognized, due to his motion pictures and his natural foods brand. He has become a successful businessman like his father, having established his own food company along with writer friend A. E. Hotchner. Newman turned into a champion race car driver and is in the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest person in history to win the Rolex 24-hour endurance race. Over the last several years he has donated over $90 million to charity turning himself into a generous philanthropist.
22) Andrew Carnegie
Born in a poor Scottish family that immigrated to the U.S., Carnegie became an influential and leading businessman in the American steel industry. His is a real “rags to riches” story. He is remembered today as an industrialist, millionaire, and philanthropist.
Carnegie believed that the wealthy have a compulsion to return to society, so he gave away most of his fortune to causes like peace and education. He retired in 1901 at age 66 as the world’s richest man. In 1902 he setup the Carnegie Institution to sponsor scientific research and pension fund for teachers by donating $10 million. He also donated $125 million to a foundation called the Carnegie Corporation to help colleges and schools.
23) Percy Ross
Born to poor immigrants from Latvia and Russia, Ross made a fortune producing plastic film and trash bags. After giving away over 1,000 bicycles at a children’s holiday party at the Minneapolis Convention Center in the late 1970s, Ross came up with the idea of doling out cash to his syndicated column readers.
$30 million and 17 years later, he closed his wallet saying he felt richer than before having achieved his goal and given it all away. Through his column he raised money for organ transplants, helped pay for recreational centers and gave away dollars with his simple wisdom.
24) Larry Stewart
A millionaire, Stewart became known as Secret Santa for roaming the streets come December and giving money to people. Stewart, who gave $1.3 million over 26 years was in the spotlight when he exposed himself as Secret Santa a few months before he succumbed to esophageal cancer, hoping to inspire others. His giving commenced in 1979 when he was at a drive-in restaurant feeling sorry for himself for being fired from his job just before Christmas, the second time in a row. It was cold and he felt sorry for the carhop who didn’t have a warm enough jacket, making just nickels and dimes. After that he often handed out $100 bills. He also contributed to community causes in Kansas City and hometown Bruce.
25) Roy M. Huffington
Houston businessman, Huffington began his career as a geologist for the Humble Oil Company and later served as an ambassador to Austria. He founded his own oil and gas firm and setup the Huffington Foundation that has given millions to Texas academic institutions and charities. He was also chairman of the New York-based Asia Society in the 1980s for over seven years.
With his wife, Phyllis, he setup the Huffington Center on Aging in 1988 at the Baylor College of Medicine that does research and delivers health care to tackle the needs of the aging making it one of the best centers on aging world-wide. He was a guiding member of the Baylor College of Medicine Board of Trustees for 20 years.
And Finally: Bill and Melinda Gates
Having already covered philanthropist colleagues Warren Buffet, Michael Dell, and Paul Allen, how could we forget Bill Gates? Though he is still widely known as a ruthless businessman and a technology industry visionary, his legacy will be a very different one. Much like Rockefeller before him, Bill Gates has all but retired from the life that brought him fame and fortune and has decided to dedicate his life along with his wife, to helping the billions of less fortunate people.
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is the world’s largest transparently operated private foundation in the world and has an endowment of almost $40 billion.
Tax write-off, only a fool wouldn’t be a philanthropists if he/she was rich.
Tell em’ to skip the Tax-write off, then we can all be proud, otherwise, it’s BS.
i agree with lots of methods,i myself like to start a small business but i lack money in this area. with assistance i would return benifets.thats my great responsibilitie. thanks.
I have the same question you get probably 1000K a day. How do I approach someone for a grant? I have tried before but with no success. Every time I’ve tried they want money up front to proceed so I go no further. I don’t believe an actual grant opportunity would request money before proceeding. I’m in a tough spot right now. I’ve lost my job, found out three weeks ago I havae breast cancer and my home is in dire need of a roof, insulation & windows. All of this can be verified to you if need be. Please respond. I need your help! Thank you, Barbara
My wife and I have a small manufacturing business in Nebraska that we started from our kitchen table and built it up to 23 employees at one point. In 2002 we had a fire and lost 100% to the ground. With a small insurance check and loans and a very small building we come back. In 2005 we moved to a larger facility and landed a huge account which turned into about 75% of our sales. Overnight we went from 3 to 23 employees and lots of over head. In 2006 we lost this account due to shipping cost and they found a supplier in their back yard. We got stacked with huge debt and taxes. Plain and simple, our management skills didn’t keep up with the loss. March of 2007 our oldest son 22 years old just finished college was killed in a car accident. At this point its very difficult to focus. The finacial strain is hard on the family with 2 boys in high school.
We have a great business that just needs some help. We have great product lines and huge potential to give back to our community. Can someone lead me into the right direction.
Thanks
Harlan
I believe that the best assistance is the one that goes to destitute and helpless people who most often can never pay back. Hpowever it is also possible to set up revolving funds where intelligent poor people can get educated and commit themselves to pay back for the benfit of yet other poor people. Such benevolent fund could be managed by trustees and grow through repayments and contributions from successful people. A starting point is to assist those with experience and capability to earn money while working as parallel efforts to gratuitous donations made to destitute people. I fit in with the intellectual lot and hopefully expect your assistnce
I read all of this smiling. I am a single mother, very poor, and never feeling richer. Yes, I am struggling and desperate…yet never so full of wealth. I have read the stories of these wealthy people and wish I had more history on them. Did they sit at a table at 9:30 one morning with coffee in hand broke and smiling with a dream? I live each day blessed and do my best to bless others as i have been blessed. This is not a difficult task. I do not have money to just write a check or build the ranch I so desire so that many can be helped in ways that only a few would understand. Yet I believe that I will be used in many ways until the time comes that I can devote much more money to the people I need to help. One day that will come. Right now I have time…something these people have very little of. I am sure many of them do use the tax write off, however, I believe more that most of them know how much they receive by giving. As I said before, the dream was there and the desire to help others at the same time. I believe they had a smile and a vision. It wasn’t all about them. There was more to it than that. If there wasn’t then they’d be bitter, lonely, and unable to write those checks. They are getting more than a tax break…they live knowing they have done something beautiful. A blessing I get daily and hope to obtain on a greater scale someday. I am only a small ranch away from that dream, and I know someday that dream will be a reality. Even if I have to wait another 10 years. They didn’t sit on their butts and wait for their blessings, neither will I. I just hope the bitterness and resentments some of you show will go away as you help others on their journey. There is a beauty in it that cannot be defined. These people know that and I see it on smaller scales every day. I bet it feels good to them as well.
As Mayor I am trying to find ways to provide better health and attract business to our small town. After discovering one case of HepC I decided that a sewer system in a neccessary requirement. So, not for myself but for our children, elderly and disabled, please lead me to any one or group of people who can assist us in obtaining a sewer system to eleminate the standing water danger in Stasburg,MO.
We do not want a hand out but a hand up. Many want to start home businesses and create a few jobs but with the sewer growth is nearly impossible.
Thank you for your consideration
Patricia L. Shadoin-Ford, Mayor
As an owner of a small business, times are tough and I can not find working capital anywhere. It seems like Washington have it wrong. Instead of helping Wall Street, what about bailing out small business like me. Wall Street ask for 750 Billion all I need to continue my small business is $100K to stay alive. Many times I just wanted to give up, but giving up is not a choice. My children are depending on me. While they fight in Washington I’m about to loose everything I own. Now face with lying off employees. loosing my home, business………. sitting up on Thanksgiving early morning(1:00A.M) because I cannot sleep, so many thoughts running though my mind, feeling all along.
I couldn’t help but notice out of all the philanthropists that gave money only 1 actually gave assistance directly to individuals Percy Ross.all the rest donate to other foundations that have hugely overpaid CEO’s and the little guy like me never see any help.In the past 3 months my hubby lost his job,I lost my health and can’t work my last pay check was for $47.00 which was supposed to some how pay rent,utilities,buy medicine, fix a broken car.I have been turned down everywhere for help. often with no reason given.in less than a week I will be homeless,Hubby has looked everywhere for a job.and to make matters worse my mom is now on her deathbed with lung cancer.If I could have one thing for christmas it would be a job for my hubby where at least we could pay our basic bills.where are these so called foundations of charitable giving for people like me?ooh I know………..we don’t count there is no help for us.so its off to the streets for us .in fact even so called family turned their backs on us and told us oh well there is a tent city you might be able to live in.
For ten years I have worked very hard to become a part of the policial arena.
In 2010, I wish to become the winner as one of the Judges of the Orphans Court in Baltimore City.
On line so much information was submitted to the public that was not true.
The Judge of the Orphans Court -Is the office that determines who will be the executor over a will, determines if a will is authenic, and ensures probate (if applicable).
The present sitting Judges were scared to death in 2006 when I almost kicked their butts.
In 2010, I want others to know that Ramona Baker is not finished but is just getting started.
My goal is to find the best campaign manager, fund raiser, and great planner.
I am ready to get started. I need the correct guidance.
The public needs to know that all candidates deserve to be Judge of Orphans court. Let balance the court system and help make a dream come true.
Presently, I am completing my training as a mediator, divorce and child custody.
A small part of my resume is on my websight http://www.RamonaMoore.com
Thank you,
Ramona Baker
410-814-3791
After reading steeveelynn’s response I feel inspired to know there are others out there who, through the current economic times, still are as optimistic as I am. I proudly work for one of the nonprofits that are being given such a bad wrap in the comments above. (The NP I work for has a budget over $20,000,000 and serves over 60,000 people each year in need -and the Executive Director makes less than $100,000 a year, FYI) I know times are very difficult for many (We are serving 200 more families a month at our food shelf than the same month last year) But those of you looking for help should know there is help out there for you. In most areas United Way should have a local 211 hotline that provides you with many available services you may need. I wish you all the best of luck in the near future and hope the sun begins to shine a little brighter on all of you!
After reading al of the posted responses I too am inspired. I am scowering the internet looking an individual with the with the vision and drive of an entrepreneur, just like the individuals that are listed above. How many times have you seen something ether on the internet or on television and said why didn’t I could of thougt of that? This is exactly what has happened to me. The difference is I have researched and inverstgated and even put my idea into pratice and it works. My problem is the individual that was my financial backer out of “spite” pulled all of the funding. The amount of funding was only $28,000.00. Anyone that might be interested in more information on this cutting edge business involving evidence destruction please call 937-925-2595. I can produce a business plan that has the business all spelled out. I am a retired detective and with certifications in evidence collection and retention so my knowledge of this business is something that I know a great deal about. If getting in on the ground floor of a business with a rapid groth potential please contact me either by the number alerady listed or at jmpsdav@sbcglobal.net
If I were well off I would find nothing more fulfilling than helping those less fortunate. I am not, but I commend those of you who are and choose to help those who need assistance in helping themselves, a cycle of life this world desperately needs.
Having gone through the list of the 25 billionaires and millioners in the USA I came to the conclusion that the USA has very good people from whose examples the other rich people in other parts of the world should follow.Hard work also pays .
i appreciate the good works of the american philantropists but how do i get financial help from any of them to complete my education. i am a second year nursing student. othewise i would have to drop out some few months to come. please help me out. thank you.
Huh? This morning i recieved via UPS first class a check for 3,500 dollars us. I will not go into detail as to how important it was to recieve this money. I did my research and found out it was a fraud. Water mark and all. I have been working on my faith as we all should in some manner and thought like any good optimist….could this be?
After a few hours of not sulking, but playing baseball with a friend my thought returned to how much i really needed exactly 3-4 grand. (It’s for the sake of better parenting)I then thought maybe there are really rich people who would like to help if the cause is legit.
Well, it would seem there are. Yes, i can come up with 3-4 grand in 5 months or so,but it is a time sensitive issue.
If you would like to know more and I will be on guard as i am sure anyone should be……..clarsen73@gmail.com
I and my deaf boyfriend both work parttime jobs and because of my failing health I have applied for disability but u have to be unemployed for a year before u can recieve it and i can’t afford to quit my job for a year, i couldnt pay my rent or utilities,i checked with public housing they are not taking any new applications at this time, i did however get food assistance which i am very grateful for.if there is any assistance you can give it would be greatly appreciated. thank you and god bless
am writing because I am in serious need of care for my medical condition.My story began it’s downward spiral in Aug 2008 and continued downhill to this very moment.I had a seemingly innocuous job related injury occur while working for a Wal*Mart neighborhood market in Arizona.I could not know at that time the course of events to come would end up with the loss of my,home,income,mother and total physical disability and that the daily struggle just to keep my heart beating would begin.I went to my supervisor on Aug 12 and reported a shoulder injury that had occurred in the course of my job as a cashier. she then took me to the Dr. who put me on restricted duty which lessened my hours at work.My husband then lost his job after a verbal altercation with the store manager. he promised that he would get a “new ” job with in a week .of course the economy collapsed at that point leaving us with one part time paycheck .I then began to suffer from chest pain and was forced to go to the hospital tests showed that my heart had severely diminished blood flow to the front of the heart during periods of physical activity.an angiogram failed to show the reason for this loss.I was released from the hospital only to be readmitted and the ultimate out come was a total thyroidectomy. during surgery complications arose and the parathyroid was damaged. I then was released from the hospital and my mother called to inform me she had been diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer and given 6 months to live.In the meantime I was faced with huge medical bills,no paycheck,no insurance and no help from anyone.so I filed for SSI,bankruptcy and was evicted from my apartment for non payment of rent.I came back to California to be close to my my dying mother. sadly she died 2 days after I arrived in hemet so I had just enough time to say goodbye.after running out of money we landed in the car. and continued to wait for the decision from SSI which I now know was a denial ,I have filed for reconsideration as I desperately need the medical insurance and the medicine .I have no insurance and can not obtain the medicine I need to stay alive without seeing a dr. nor can I afford the medicine. S please I need help through the government denials as I have daily chest pain from a heart that is barely beating and I am getting weaker every day.The only thing I know of that can change things for me is somehow ,someway getting to see a dr.I am currently homeless ,and no one will help me. my health worsens daily.
Darlene Taylor
Your help will me in saving NATURE OF EARTH[INDIA].
I have read all of the above request and replies. I don’t think that this is a site to request help from any of the above mentioned people, I don’t even think any of the above people have even read this page to begin with.
Yes most of us, who are in the poor working class, or as it can be right now, not working and losing or lost our homes and so forth, we do need help.
Unfortunatly, I don’t see any of them helping any of us any time soon, since they really don’t help individuals to begin with.
Yes, I to have recieved the $3500.00 fake check (still have it)and have also sent out more than 100 letters to all sorts of foundations seeking help to get a fresh start, Nothing, but in the mean time we get further and further behind only being able to pay some and not all the bills each month. Going without medical attention or not being able to go to the dentist to get that cracked tooth fixed, or to get the much needed glasses to see better with or even putting off buying the medication that we need.
Bottom line they made their money how every they made it and they don’t like nor will they even consider helping a person or a family in need, that will only happen if you become a charity or another country.
If I sound down on them I’m not I’m just facing so much loss and sadness that I don’t see anyone coming to help anytime soon. Oh by the way I have really tried almost everything legal that is, including visualization of what I need and besides a big major headach that didn’t work either.
So it boils down to becoming homeless and doing whatever you can to survive, I learned that the hard way growing up in childcare center’s and foster homes. No one is gong to help you, you have to keep trying to find your own way, then maybe one day you will come up with something that might make you rich, too and then you can be like Mr. P.Ross {may he rest in peasce} and help a lot of real people with real issues, so that they can have a brighter tomorrow and better nigths sleep knowing that they will have a bed of their own and not the ground to sleep on.
Just don’t give up people, don’t give up, I know it’s hard I live it every day. I was the single mother, I lost a child, I have a child doing his second tour of duty. I know the pain and am feeling it all the time. It’s bill time do you have enough to pay the creditor’s heck no!! I’m talking every day bill’s, we don’t and can’t live beyound our needs, never have. Company’s don’t pay according to the economy, so if you get behind you might as well forget about catching up without help. It’s next to impossible. Yes it can be done but with help from somewhere. Question is help from where? Well people try to stay above water and pray alot cause only God can make it work out for us. Another person lost in the distant ocean of invisibilty.
While none of the rich nd powerful will read here let alone help anyone here is true.emailing the well off does not work either even when its not a personal request but rather a broader based request like fill up a local food bank with food and essentials.food pantries here are totally empty.those are also ignored I sent an email to Oprah’s show and she never responded
You People here If only you knew I feel your Pain. You are asking for help an it is like know one is listening to you. Iam sure that If knowbody gave them a chance they would not be were they are today.Just a Glimmer of hope If they just acknowledge you,something.I’am sure they have been were we are today somebody finally heard them.ButIf I had My way I would help each and everyone of you here I feel your Pain.I Live your Pain.
We Need to take care of each other.One family at a time.Just let them know that it is on its way!
Glimmer of Hope!Keep Looking Up!
Peace
I believe in miracles and I believe that anything can happen if you put your mind to it. I am a young pastor in Phoenix, Arizona and we have a church that has several youth and children intervention programs with a high success rate of redirecting these powerful new minds in a more positive path to become future business leaders in America and around the world. However, I am currently facing a financial challenge and desire to one day bring or church to a place of greater prosperity so that we can provide more then we are doing now to the communities around us and aboard. In addition, our dream is to assist with efforts in helping children dieing in Sudan, African and in other parts of the world. We have a vision that is loaded with outreach and intervention but finances is our only setback, I desire to come under the tutelage of one of these great people to better understand funding development so I can teach others beyond the church how to manage there money and how to create wealth no matter what there endeavors are in life. I believe in miracles and I believe that anything can happen if you put your mind to it. If anyone knows a person who can teach us more about finance / funding development please contact me at: bmcneal2000@aol.com / http://www.spiritandlifeworldministries.org .
I’ll tell you all something! I’ll answer all your needs when my intuitive nature and innovative spirit becomes a reality in our universe and SO IT IS! Never give up & never say this is a bunch of BS. If you have the ability to imagine, be grateful at the same time,and literally feel what you imagine then it shall be. Tell your family, tell your friends waht you see and the universe will work the rest of it out for you. We create in our lives what we want and what we believe in. And,,,,it depends on just the route you have chosen to take in your life. Do you take every breath for granted and do you take care of the physical self that houses the very thing you all are denying. Your spirit! Be careful and be true to the preciousness of your lives. You dont wake up and dream of having 100,000.00. It may seem something to you but the universe understands a different kind of relationship with yourself and its deep down inside all of you. Dont ever give up and start dreaming and seeing what you want. You must feel it, speak it, and think it! It’ll come once you released that into the Universe. You will get more of the same what most of you have released into the Universe because thats where you are placing your negative thoughts and feelings therefore is your reality.
Peace and love to you all!
Hello,
I’ve been sending mails to almost everywhere but I receive no replies.
I’m badly in need of $1000/ for the setting up of a small farm here in my place, India. My life is in ruins, I am jobless and handicaped. At present I am living with my brother’s paltry income. He has a big family to feed on.
Just that amount would make a big difference in my life. Please donate graciously and wholeheartedly to:
Mohammed Nizzar
K.A. House,
Thekkumbhagom,
Paravoor,
Kollam,
Kerala.
Hello,
I am in dire need of medical attention! The approximate cost is $20,000.00. I have worked all of my life; and like so many, I am challenged by the economic changes in our country. In the past, I have given donations of food, clothing and money with an open heart. Now, I am faced with a situation of need. Your help and consideration is greatly appreciated.
I am a single mother who usually suffers fom backache, Iam old enough for having a child who is just 7 years old. He is a very smart boy and I am worried about him because I am very old to be a mother of a small boy. I would like to ask for a charitable help to contribute to my boy´s education, by affording me a contribution which can help me to establish a small business in which I can teach my child how to work and how to organize himself for his future life. He will have the opportunity to get a better education and to find the pathway for a decent integrated life full of moral values and that can surely illustrate a good example of dignity to future generations. I will appreciate your noble contribution. thanks.
I am a single disabled mom. My son and I live off of my month social security check. For the past couple of days I have been praying the our Lord will some how provide money for me to get gas to get my son to school, get some food and get him and my grandchildren something for Christmas. Ever since I have been disabled I have not been able to get him anything for Christmas or his Birthday. I hate the thought of me actually having to get on the internet and beg for money, but I have no pride left. I need help. Please understand, that I just don’t want another year to go by and not be able to get him anything once again. Two years ago, the doctors told me that there was nothing else that can be done for me. I have Sarcoidosis, the (Bernie Mac) disease. I prayed that the Lord will allow me to live at least long enough to see him through high school. So here I am. If there is anyone out there who can help me for Christmas please, please help. Thank you and God Bless you.
As I sit here in my bedroom tonight thinking well it never hurts to have HOPE so I am going to tell my story and BELIEVE . I am trying to start a new ministry that will touch the nations of the world . This is something God has called me to do . Also this is my hearts desire . It is called S.A.N.D. intl. Ministries . Many Many hard things have taken place in my life in the past 5 yrs. especially . I am in need of a car and some bucks to get this ministry going . I would greatly Thank anyone who could help. What a christmas it would be also if I could get my grand babies a gift . I have been out of work and not even a penny to my name .I am in debt to the wonderful christains who are allowing me in their home( Rent $ ) . God bless you ! I sure would not know what to do when I hear back from you . God richly bless you . Shelli Sines
God is so good to each and every one of us. We must learn to trust his Word–that He will guide us and direct our steps. Many times we tend to lean on people because it is the easiet thing to do. However, each of us must believe in the One who created the heavens and the earth. Praying is not begging God to do anything. It is simply believing that He will answer our prayers and grant our requests. We must wait patiently. However, during this time we must believe that He will guide us and direct us. We must also seek to build ourselves up by being grateful for all the wonderful things in our life no matter how small or great. Once we learn to appreciate and give thanks amazing things happen. Our hearts and minds become peaceful. Energy and Joy overtakes us. Hope is renewed and we become stronger. Many times we take for granted even the sweet small things in our lives and our surroundings. We live in a Country where we are free. The birds chirp and sing. The trees sway and move graciously in the wind. The seasons change displaying
beauty. Further, there are opportunities all around us if we would only quiet the voice of sorrow and self pity. A merry heart worketh like a medicine–laughter and joy. The secret key is to laugh and think highly of yourself no matter what the circumstance. Remember your situation could be worse. Thank God that each day you are improving no matter how you may feel. Suddenly one day you will with amazement realize that you have improved! Today was my first time on this website. There are challenges in my life where only a miracle from God will change the situation. However, I choose to live with an attitude of expectancy that something good is going to happen. I choose to be thankful because things could be much worse. I choose to be grateful and know that even though I don’t have much money, I can still give a smile, a compliment and encouragement to others. These small gestures are priceless–money can not buy the sincerity of these acts of kindness.
For those who think they need money for Christmas gifts you are so wrong! A simple written letter of love to someone will mean much more than any material gift that you can give them. A letter of wisdom to a high school or college age person is worth more than silver. A word of encouragement, a poem, a short story written by you is precious. Something that will not grow old or become outdated, but a TREASURE–A TRUE KEEPSAKE. Baked Cookies, Pie, etc. are other good gifts. A game night with children and family hosted by you is another gift. Handwritten coupons signed by you to babysit for someone or to do something special for someone else is another great gift.
My family and I have been doing some of these things for years and we have had lots of fun. Dollars Store gifts–Wow you can get a lot of great things there. Some of my children teachers and therapist have been excited over some of the gifts that we purchased at these stores.
We tend to complicate life and take so much for granted. The next time you start to worry about how bad your situation is, just know that it could be worse and there is someone somewhere who is having a much harder time. BE GRATEFUL!
TO EVERYONE, HAVE A JOYOUS AND BLESSED HOLIDAY SEASON EACH AND EVERY YEAR!
I am a public school teacher. My name is Nachalle Sherman. Although I live in Manhattan, I teach in Flatbush Brooklyn. There are major concerns I have with our youths and I am sure the communities should share these same concerns because the youth are our future and their deficiencies affect us all. I am presently teaching Middle School and my students are learning how to act in a play. The play of choice is “Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters” a South African tale retold by John Steptoe. I am asking for funding for this play. Our school is Parkside Preparatory Academy located at 655 Parkside Ave. The play will be performed February 2010 11th and we are thinking of an evening performance, February 12th 2010. We need funding for materials and transportation for our students to travel to school and other communities to perform their play. I would appreciate any funding and adoption of our school to encourage our students to be better citizens of our community.
I am also interested in creating an outdoor classroom so that our children will learn with more hands on experiences. The outdoor classroom consist of, a Green House built on the campus grounds. I hope and pray you will see the need to fund us and our school. As you know, Public Schools are not one of the favorites according to our mayor and more and more public schools are being closed down because of low test scores or poor attendance. I pray that someone would hear this cry for help and helping our youth be successful and feel encouraged to achieving much more in their lives.
Finally, our school will be having its 25th anniversary on April 5th 2010. We need financial support to have notable people to attend our celebration of 25 years of being in existence. I appreciate anyone reading this and hopefully they will see the need in sharing their wealth to children who are less fortunate.
Peace.
Nachalle
I thought I would contact one of these most generous of individuals in seeking their assistance. Unfortunately, I have yet to hear anything from this person. I trully doubt if I ever will.I suppose I cannot blame them. I am a nobody to them and they are one of the most powerful.
If you have had a bad memory like me you may have money being held by the state you lived in, this is worth a try, and is very real, it may be $200 to thousands ,find your states link http://www.missingmoney.com/
god bless to all
Give and you will receive, no mater how small,believe it.
Hi, I am from Indonesia, age 42 years married with 2 children (daughter 14 and son 7 years old). Domicile in Jakarta, Indonesia. On this occasion, I would like to seek your helping hands due to my circumstances.
I have a bachelor degree in Industrial Engineering from a private local university, graduated in 1993. I was working in local firm, fixed wing aircraft manufacture in Jakarta, Indonesia, until year 2000. Because of domestic economic downturn, the company has to be closed. I was searching for a job until now but unfortunately, I still could not get one. It has been a hard time of my life for not having a job for almost 10 years now.
As for living, luckily my parents can support me until now. But, as a retired government officer, my parents are sort of funding too.
My parents have 2 children, me and my older sister. My sister married with a pediatric. She lives in Bandung, Indonesia. My father is 75 years old and my mother is 72 years old.
Due to my age, it is difficult for me to find a job now, I have to compete with much younger and fresh ages. I want to start a new page and stop for job hunting. I want to create a business line, so I could become an entrepreneur. In order to do that, I need your helping hands, as we know well to start a business needs funding. This is the point that I need you to help me out. Can you imagine as parenthood not having any income for almost 9 years? My kids are growing up fast now, they need a better life, better atmosphere as growing children. Not just looking to me in home everyday and getting my message Be patient kids, I am still looking for a job but still, I could not get one. Pray to God, okay? This message goes to my wife as well.
I am tired of this waiting and waiting to get a job. It is too long waiting chapter of my life. My daughter is in 9th grade now (junior high). It is not good for her to see my miserable life.
So, for this humiliating story of my life, I need your helping hands immediately. You may categorize your helping me out as alms or charity or donation or any kind as you wish to say. I need US$ 800.000 (Eight Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) for setting up business and saving for my kid’s future. As for business, I will be looking something which is profitable. I will report to you my business progress; maybe I can send pictures of them.
This letter is real, this is not a scam, fraud, or such things like that.
Please, I need your helping hands as soon as possible.
I thank your for your time and kind attention. Waiting for your humble reply.
Sincerely yours,
bobsajie@yahoo.com
I am a teacher with a very poor rural background who have by dint of hardwork, perseverance and God’s, made it to this level as a first year MPHIL.(SOIAL STUDIES) of the University of Education, Winneba, Ghana.
My salary level is so low that I cannot afford to purchase a Desktop let alone a Laptop Computer for my academic and research work.
Please, I need your assistance to enable me to cope with my studies and the typing of my assignments. I had it very tough with the first semester’s activities(Aug-Dec,2009)
Please help me to enable me achieve my goal -to become a lecturer.
Thank you
Philip
I am searching for someone who would like to donate money to help the homeless in Jackson, Mississippi……I am currently active in operating a homeless shelter that houses 85 to 100 men and women every night and I need help with keeping the utitilites up and paid every month….I am non-profit…..
Please help us in any kind of way:
God’s Homeless Haven
P. O. Box 720029
Byram, MS 39272
Bridgett Macklin
Director
601-720-5078
I looking for someone to just help me and my family just eat next week, I work a fulltime job and my husband hasn’t work sense last January, we moved in with his uncle me and my daughter and husband, I am fulltime student also. But I have to pay all bills in the house that was the agreement, I am at my worst end and my credit is getting worst, I can’t pay anything on time. I pay my car note, buy food for the whole house, lights, and my health insurance is out the roof its half of my check. I am not complaining but when you all the right things in life what happens to the people like us. I just feel sorry for my child I would love for her to have a yard to have company over but this is not my house so I have no say, these people who seat and complain all I have to say try walking in my shoes, to work everyday never been in trouble me or my husband go to church every Sunday, still strive for better.
I am looking for help paying bills and just surviving while I attend school online for an AA degree in criminal justice. I hope to continue my education till I receive am Masters in Criminology. I want to find out how the criminal mind works and how to prevent more crime. Im currently on disability and want to be able to support my family with my brains, not my broken down body. I just want to pay off a few bills, get a reliable vehicle, and be able to concentrate on my studies without worrying about having computer service, food, gas for dr. appts., and small everyday items. Please help. I would repay you as soon as I was able. Thank you
This is a very interested WEB and it give us a mood and dedicataion and effort but the quasition is how can the bellioners help the poor business comminity to come up because i have seen almost surporting health education, etc
I would like or request to added on the list to get informations inmy mail box thanks
Thanks for this WEB. Please see how these billionaire people can help straggling individuals like me. I admit I have make mistakes but I desperately need their financial help. I can be contacted through my email ad for further details. Thanks a lot again
I need a little help to pay rent[a couple of months} while I look for a job and help with a decent running car. I do not care how old the car is or what it looks like just as long as it runs really good. I might have to go out of my town to look for employment, thats 30+ miles away. I live in the Desert and really don’t want to be stuck in the middle of no where. Please can you help me.
im working in uae.i lost my job.my family is in india.my 2 daughters are studying in india.ive a rented house.for managing my family and my livelyhood in dubai i need financial help unless i get a job.im in deep trouble and see nowhere to go.any GOD loving person who can help me.
i am a registered nurse in new orleans,la. i was in a very serious car accident on my way to work on 11/05/09. i was out of work for a little over a month, but had some vacation time to carry me through, until i returned to work. my hours when i returned had been cut due to economical situations. on 01-13-10, i was forced to resign due to an isuue on the unit that supposedly occured on 12-13-09. i now have a new job to start on 02-22-10, but in the meantime, i have run out of money and food. i am about to be evicted from my home,lose my car, and have my utilities turned off. i have gone to my family for help, but they too have their own stories to tell, so unable to help me. i have never been quite this bad off before. if anyone can, please help me. thank you
Does anyone of you get any help?
I AM A STUDENT FROM GHANA WHO ASPIRES TO BECOME A COMMERCIAL PILOT. EVEN THOUGH I AM VERY AMBITIOUS, MY FAMILY LACKS THE FINANCIAL CAPACITY TO PAY FOR MY TRAINING. I HAVE APPLIED TO BEGIN MY PILOT TRAINING IN THE EMBRY RIDDLE AERONAUTICAL UNIVERSITY IN JUNE 2010. I AM THEREFORE APPEALING TO PHILANTHROPISTS TO KINDLY COME TO MY AID. GOD BLESS YOU. THANK YOU.
I am in no way proficient in grant writing. In fact, it’s been hard for me to ask for help in any way. I am a sixty-three year old woman who is permanently disabled. My room-mate is not much younger and is also permenently disabled. We live in a drafty, fungus ridden house. The landlord found a rotten board two year ago on the back stairs and decided he would tear the whole back porch off and build a new one. He did tear the back porch out but that’s where it ended. Perhaps it’s needle to say but living on Social Services Disability Insurance is hardly enough to eat and buy medicine but, our landlord keeps raising our rent. We can’t afford it and even if we could, we would want to move. We want to move to Santa Cruz but can’t afford the moving costs. There are many programs for seniors and disabled people there. It is a clean city seeming less populated with gangs. Both my roommate and I would love to live out the rest of our years without risk of eviction or fear of being victimized by young gangs. Please help us with moving costs and first and last rent. Together it should be about &5000.00. We would be eternally grateful and work toward doing good for others for the rest of our days. Thank You,
Dana L’Wood and Morgan Weimer
Please help me and my family with a US$ 30,000.00 grant to purchase a piece of land to build a Residential house to live and farm for sustainability.
Arayason
Kenya
We require a US$ 3,500.00 grant to buy a bore hole,pump and to instal electricity. This water will help 3000 people in our community
Naftaly Arayason
Hello!
My name is Maks! I am 18, I live in Kiev,Ukraine !
I need help!
this summer I decided to go to the USA with program WORK AND TRAVEL
My parents do not earn much, I work too, but do not have time to earn up to that time, how to pass the money in the agency, that would go. I need $ 1800. I already have $ 300
I want to ask you to throw off, on my Webmoney wallet :
WMZ : Z217030712709
WME : E306078151121
even for a couple of $.
just in my country, 1 $ = 8 UAH, and the salary of my parents is 5000 UAH = 625 $.
You can call me at Skype, my ID: mshunter41
or view my profile : vk.com/id66092196
or write in my icq : 362664751
or my mail : mshunter@bigmir.net
PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!
I am a 33 year old single parent of 2 boys who is in desperate need of a vehicle to try and get back and forth to work to provide for my kids, it is very hard right now for me as the economy has taken its toll on my bills and now that I do not have a car, it is just that much harder, so if there is anyone that can help me it would be much appreciated, I am not picky, I just really need some reliable transportation as I have exhausted all means,God bless anyone if they can help me, you will continue to be blessed. thank you, sincerely, much needed….
HI EVERY PHILANTHROPIST
THE FIRST I WILL APOLOGY BECAUSE I CAN NOT VERY GOOD SPEAK AND WRITE ENGLISH
I AM SHAHIN MOMENI FROM IRAN AND I AM 31 YEARS OLD . I AND MY FATHER HAVE THE FACTORY THAN PRODUCTION CARPET WITH MADE MACHINE AND
FACTORY NANE IS FADAK CARPET INDUSTRY.
UNFORTUNATELY FOUR YEARS AGO ON RECESSION IN IRAN OUR FACTORY BE FAIL AND WE ARE DEBTOR WITH BANK AND PERSONAL
OUR BUSINESS .
WE SELL OUR HOUSE , CAR AND NEEDFUL FOR PAYMENT PARTIAL
OUR DEBTOR. ANYWAY NOT PATMENT INTOTO DEBIT EVERYBODY
NOW WE ARE VERY PROSTRATE AND OUR LIFE IS VERY BAD.
PLEASE I WILL EVERY BODY THAN READ MY TEXT WITH HELP ME
AND GIFT MONEY FOR ME EVEN LOW.
MY ADDRESS:NUMBER 53 FLOOR 2 DOCTOR BEHESHTI STREET ISFAHAN IRAN AND MY PHONE: 00983112330755
MY EMAIL:shahinmomeni@yahoo.com
MY BANK FULL DETAILES :
NAME BANK : BANK MELLI IRAN ISFAHAN BRANCH
ADDRESS MY BANK : SEPAH STREET ISFAHAN IRAN
BENEFICARY: SHAHIN MOMENI
ACCOUNT NO: 3001/2/200/4317
SWIFT CODE: MELIIRTHIFN
PLEASE I WAIT ANSWER WITH EMAIL BECAUSE I CAN NOT VERY GOOD SPEAK ENGLISH.
REGARDS
I just would like to approach even through by e-mail a philanthropy to provide that He or She have to lend me a money to start a business. Simple message as it goes and hope so that they we’ll give me an opportunity to be an entrepreneur to start a business. And my E-mail address is georgeco68@yahoo.com
My name is George Co and I am from Paranaque Philippines.
And also that I do hope that you will always give an apology to my message if and when I’ll be of a wrong grammar it is because that i am not that well versed of speaking english cause we’re not on everyday using English language.