Nine more ultrawealthy families, including two from outside the U.S., have joined the global Giving Pledge initiative created three years ago by Warren Buffett and Bill and Melinda Gates, the organization announced Tuesday.
The new pledges bring to 114 the number of signatories who commit half their wealth to charity. They represent 10 countries and 23 U.S. states and the District of Columbia.
The new pledge signatories:
Lord Ashcroft, former treasurer and deputy chairman of the U.K.'s Conservative Party and founder of Crimestoppers
Sara Blakely, founder of Spanx and youngest self-made woman on the Forbes billionaires list
Joe Craft, coal baron who announced his commitment to the Giving Pledge in late 2012.
Monica Gelbaum and David Gelbaum, chairman of Axion Power International
Craig and Susan McCaw, telecom entrepreneur and former U.S. ambassador to Austria, respectively
