If you could be a billionaire, (and we believe anyone can be), what kinds of things would you want to do? What would you get involved in? After amassing great wealth… wouldn’t you get bored just with a pile of money? So imagine yourself with $10,000,000. Do you feel like donating $1,000,000 to charity? Do you have a rule about tithing that you like to live by?

One of my favourite billionaire philanthropists is Ted Turner. Here’s a quick list of his
philanthropic concepts. SOURCE

Turner has actively sought publicity both for himself and for a number of causes he supports such as the environmental movement, world peace, especially when they have been associated with Turner’s media or sports holdings. Two example are WTBS’s Captain Planet environmental cartoon or the Goodwill Games between United States and Soviet athletes to which Turner has broadcasting rights. And with his third wife, former actress, fitness guru, political activist and multimedia mogul Jane Fonda, Turner has added support for Native American causes (including a series of original films on TNT) to atone for his formerly racist promotions of the Atlanta Braves. Long accustomed to his role as “captain of his own fate,” it remains to be seen how he will arrange a position in a corporate structure he arranged for but does not control. -Susan McLeland

And Bill Gates is pretty famous for his offerings to the world too: SOURCE

Bill Gates’s Charity Work, Events and Causes, Charity biography

Gates talked about creative capitalism at the World Economic Forum in Davos. The Forum saw world leaders discuss extreme poverty, among other topics. A thirty minute video of Gates’ speech is available on YouTube.

At a bridal lunch the day before his wedding to Melinda, Gates’ mother Mary read a letter to the couple saying, in effect, “From those who are given great resources, great things are expected.”

With further encouragement from their friend the investor Warren Buffett, Bill and Melinda established a charitable foundation that has grown to be among the largest of its kind.

In 2006 the Microsoft founder announced that in 2008 he would dramatically reduce his involvement in the running of the company in order to concentrate his efforts more fully on the Foundation.

Causes supported: AIDS, Animals, At-Risk/Disadvantaged Youths, Children, Education, Environment, Family/Parent Support, Health, Homelessness, Hunger, Poverty

Bill Gates has supported the following charities: Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Children’s Vaccine Program, Children with AIDS, Earth Institute, Food Bank For New York City, GALVMed, Make A Child Smile Appeal, The Lunchbox Fund

And here are some ideas from Richard Branson: SOURCE

Richard Branson’s Charity Work, Events and Causes, Charity biography

Branson has pledged to commit $3 billion, all profits from his travel firms over the next ten years, to the reduction of global warming. He has previously donated to educational charities in Africa. Branson started his first charity, “Student Valley Centre”, when he was only 17. Richard is Patron of the International Rescue Corps. In 2007, Branson formed The Elders – a small, dedicated group of leaders, working objectively and without any vested personal interest to solve difficult global conflicts – with Peter Gabriel, Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, Kofi Annan, and Jimmy Carter.

In March 2008, he hosted an environmental gathering with Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Wikipedia Founder Jimmy Wales, and Larry Page of Google at his private island in the Caribbean to discuss global warming-related problems facing the world.

When Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait, Richard Branson organized to fly 40,000 blankets to refugees fleeing into Jordan. He single-handedly had to fight with Government ministers to make sure the supplies got to those who needed them.

In 2004 he set up Virgin Unite to encourage all of his staff around the world to tackle tough social problems. He persuaded Elton John to sing Candle In The Wind at the funeral of Princess Diana – which eventually raised $40 million for charity.

Causes supported: Adoption, Fostering, Orphans, AIDS, Animals, Children, Disaster Relief, Education, Environment, Family/Parent Support, Health, Homelessness, Hunger, Mental Challenges, Miscellaneous, Peace, Physical Challenges, Poverty, Weapons Reduction.

Charities & foundations supported: 21st Century Leaders, 46664, Children with AIDS, Heavens Angels, International Rescue Corps, Life College, Make A Child Smile Appeal, Mineseeker Foundation, Peace One Day, ROTA, Starfish Greathearts Foundation, Swan Lifeline, The Elders, Virgin Unite, Whatever It Takes

So why am I so incredibly lucky today? What did I do to deserve this AMAZING life?

Steve