Wealth-X, the research outfit that keeps its eye on the doings of the ultra wealthy, has come up with a list of the next 20 mega donors "based on their efforts to emulate forebears of modern major giving, such as Carnegie and Rockefeller."
Four of these emerging mega philanthropists are Americans, while seven come from India and China. During the past three years, they have contributed a total of $250 million, Wealth-X said.
These donors were focused on causes related to higher education, followed by health and social programs and support for the humanities. Fifty-six percent of Asian emerging mega donors and 55% of the top 20 donors gave to educational causes.
Forty-five percent of the elite donors are from Asia. They gave on average a larger proportion of their income to philanthropy than the average American.
Wealth-X said mega donors prefer "organized philanthropy," and many are actively involved in causes they fund.
Following are the Top 20 New Mega Donors in order of percentage of wealth donated:
(Solomon Lew, No. 18, of Australia and his wife, Rosie. Photo: AP)
No. 20
India: Indu Jain, 77, has a net worth of $2.2 billion, amassed in the media sector. She contributes 0.01% of her wealth to higher education.
No. 19
Greece: Philip Niarchos, 58, has a net worth of $2.6 billion. The investor donates 0.02% of his fortune to education and humanitarian aid.
No. 18
Australia: Solomon Lew (above), 67, has a net worth of $1.2 billion made in retail and distribution. His philanthropic focus is arts, culture and the humanities to which he contributes 0.02% of his wealth.
No. 17
China: Xiangjian He, 70, made his $5.9 billion fortune in manufacturing. He donates 0.04% to humanitarian aid.
(Image of India's Dr. Kallam Anji Reedy, No. 14, from his corporate website.)
No. 16
Sweden: Hans Anders Rausing, 86, has a net worth of $10 billion made in the packaging sector. He directs 0.08% of his wealth to health issues and his foundation.
No. 15
Taiwan: Wan Tsai Tsai, 83, has a net worth of $4.7 billion amassed in the financial services sector. He contributes 0.13% of his fortune to higher education.
No. 14
India: Kallam Anji Reddy (above), 72, made his $1 billion fortune in pharmaceuticals. He gives away 0.27% of it to health-related causes.
No. 13
Brazil: Aloysio de Andrade Faria, 91, has a net worth of $4 billion from the financial services sector. He donates 0.33% to health-related causes.
(No. 12 Bruce Kovner of the U.S.. Photo: AP)
No. 12
U.S.: Bruce Stanley Kovner (above), 67, has a net worth of $3.5 billion. The hedge fund manager gives away 0.57% to higher education.