How We Chose the TIME100 Most Influential People in Philanthropy 2025

In May, partners of the Gates Foundation gathered in Manhattan to announce their plan to spend $200 billion over the next 20 years and then shut down by 2045. Supporters, including Michael Bloomberg, celebrated at Carnegie Hall, a venue built by a 19th-century philanthropist, to honor American giving traditions and modern philanthropic trends.

Michael Bloomberg and Mark Suzman, who will lead the Gates Foundation’s next phase, were recognized in TIME’s inaugural TIME100 Philanthropy list. This list, curated by individuals from 28 countries and compiled by TIME’s team, sheds light on generous donors and leaders directing funds to communities in need.

Foundations in the U.S. face challenges as the government withdraws from certain sectors, prompting philanthropic responses from individuals like Elizabeth Alexander and Nick Allardice. These honorees are focusing on democracy and humanitarian aid, respectively, in a changing philanthropic landscape.

A new wave of donors, such as Katherine Lorenz and Marlene Engelhorn, are reshaping family giving traditions and involving communities in decision-making. Meanwhile, leaders like Dustin Moskovitz, Jeff Atwood, and others are adopting innovative approaches to philanthropy, emphasizing impact and community involvement.

Collective giving movements, like giving circles, are gaining momentum, allowing individuals to pool resources for greater social impact. As philanthropy evolves, community action is seen as the future by leaders like Status Lee, emphasizing the importance of immediate and visible change in philanthropic endeavors.