From Billionaires to Small Business Owners: Entrepreneurs Are Giving Back

Entrepreneurs are known for turning big ideas into successful businesses. Increasingly, some are also finding creative ways to turn their financial success into charitable impact. While headlines often focus on extraordinary fortunes, business owners of all sizes are demonstrating that philanthropy doesn't require billions of dollars to make a meaningful difference.

Consider the founders of Anthropic, the artificial intelligence company. In an essay earlier this year, CEO Dario Amodei confirmed that the company's co-founders have pledged to donate 80% of their personal wealth from the company to charitable causes. As Inc. reported, that pledge covers all seven co-founders. With the company's potential valuation reaching extraordinary heights, the commitment could eventually translate into substantial charitable resources.

The founders' approach reflects a desire to use business success to address significant societal challenges.

But this spirit of generosity extends well beyond the founders of multibillion-dollar companies.

Building generosity into business

Another recent Inc. article highlights a new generation of entrepreneurs who are building charitable giving into their businesses from the start, following the example of Newman's Own.

Actor Paul Newman co-founded the company with author A.E. Hotchner, and 100% of its after-tax profits go to charitable purposes through nonprofit ownership.

One example is WellWithAll, a health and wellness company that commits 20% of its profits to initiatives addressing health equity. Another is Two Blind Brothers, an apparel company founded by brothers Bradford and Bryan Manning. For years, the company directed its profits to organizations supporting people affected by blindness. According to Inc., the company became a 501(c)(3) public charity in 2026, modeled on Newman's Own.

These businesses illustrate how entrepreneurs can make charitable giving a defining part of their companies' missions, even without the financial resources of a technology giant.

You don't need billions to make a difference

Of course, you don't have to own a business to make a difference. You also don't need to commit a particular percentage of your wealth to charity.

Whether your charitable resources come from a successful business, retirement savings, an inheritance, appreciated investments, or money set aside from your annual budget, there are opportunities to make an impact.

That's where the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation (GMCF) can help.

For example, a business owner preparing to sell a company might explore contributing a portion of their business interest to a charitable fund well before a sale is agreed upon, subject to appropriate legal, and tax planning. Business owners may also want to explore ways to incorporate charitable giving into their company's operations.

A donor-advised fund at GMCF can provide a flexible way to support favorite charitable organizations over time while involving family members in giving decisions.

Meanwhile, a donor with more modest resources might establish a fund to support a favorite local cause, contribute to an existing GMCF fund, or make gifts over several years to help build lasting support for an organization or community need.

Donors can also explore gifts through their estate plans, allowing them to make a meaningful charitable commitment while preserving financial resources during their lifetimes.

Your generosity. Your impact. Your legacy.

The common thread is that philanthropy is not defined by the size of a gift. What matters is the intention behind it and the difference it can make.

At GMCF, our mission is to build relationships between donors and community needs. We work with individuals, families and businesses with a wide range of charitable goals and financial circumstances to help turn generosity into meaningful community impact.

Whether you're considering a significant gift following a business transaction or simply looking for a more intentional way to support the causes you care about, we're here to help you explore the possibilities.

You don't have to build a billion-dollar company to leave a lasting charitable legacy. GMCF is honored to be your home for charitable giving, whether you're investing $250, $25,000 or $25 million to improve our region's quality of life.

Interested in exploring your charitable giving options? Contact the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation at 785-587-8995 or foundation@mcfks.org to start the conversation.

Charitable giving strategies may have different tax and legal implications depending on individual circumstances. Please consult your financial, tax and legal advisors before making significant charitable gifts.