Bill Gates has changed. The Microsoft part of his personality has gone in the background. Bill Gates is the creation of the Microsoft success story but he is charting a new course with equal success and is now known more for that. He has literally and truly made philanthropy the mission of his life. The best part is that he is learning about it and at the same time teaching others.
Bill Gates is travelling around the world and interacting with the billionaires and sharing his thoughts and experiences about philanthropy and the idea of giving. The Giving Pledge is a concept that requires billionaires to release a letter explaining their intentions. It neither asks for nor receives any money. It simply urges the ultra rich to give a moral commitment. So far 59 billionaires have joined The Giving Pledge, publishing their letter on www.givingpledge.org.
Paul Schervish, director of the Centre on Wealth and Philanthropy at Boston College is fascinated by Bill Gates. He says that Bill Gates’ influence has been dramatic. He is no doubt leading the whole movement but very humbly admits that he has not created something new. But we have to admit that he has given birth to a trend as more and more people are beginning foundations and endowing them at higher levels while they are still alive.
Via: reuters
