Money

Buffett Donates Record $6B in Berkshire Stock to Charities

Published JUN 28 2025

Story

Above: Warren Buffett at a news conference on May 4, 2003, in Omaha, Nebraska. Image credit: Eric Francis/Getty Images

The Facts

Warren Buffett donated $6 billion worth of Berkshire Hathaway stock to five foundations on Friday, marking his largest annual charitable contribution since he began his philanthropic efforts in 2006.
FOX News
FX Leaders
The donation consisted of about 13.4 million Class B shares, which were converted from 8,239 Class A shares. The Gates Foundation received 9.43 million shares, valued at approximately $4.6 billion.
Reuters
Barrons
Four family foundations received the remaining donations: the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation and three charities run by his children, focusing on reproductive health, Nebraska nonprofits, global hunger, and marginalized communities.
CNBC
Reuters
Barrons
Buffett's total charitable contributions have now exceeded $60 billion since 2006, when his entire net worth was approximately $43 billion.
CNBC
Business Wire
Despite the donation, Buffett retains 13.8% of Berkshire's stock and maintains control through his Class A shares, which carry significantly more voting power than Class B shares.
Bloomberg.com
FOX News
The 94-year-old billionaire has amended his will to allocate 99.5% of his posthumous wealth to a charitable trust managed by his three children, who must reach unanimous decisions on the distribution of the funds.
Reuters
FX Leaders
The Giving Pledge

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

CENTER

PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

This donation exemplifies Buffett's masterful wealth management strategy, which preserves voting control while maximizing tax efficiency through share donations rather than cash transfers. The move reinforces Berkshire's strength as a compounding machine with $182 billion in cash reserves ready for strategic acquisitions.

AInvest

Gatesfoundation

Narrative B

The massive donation raises questions about wealth concentration and the influence of billionaire philanthropy on public policy, particularly given the Gates Foundation's significant role in global health initiatives funded by private wealth rather than democratic institutions.

The Hindu

The Nation