Oprah Keeps On Giving

It got harder to get on BusinessWeek's 50 Most Generous Philanthropists list this year. The bar jumped to $157 million in giving over the past five years, up from $120 million last year.

Each year, Oprah Winfrey gives roughly $50 million personally to empower and educate women, children, and families. She has given away over $300 million, about 20% of her net worth. She is once again the only black person on BusinessWeek's list where she rank 32nd Most Generous Philanthropists.

This fall, she opened a youth center in her Mississippi hometown. And in January, she'll open a girls academy in South Africa. The billionaire talk show host boosts her giving power through Oprah's Angel Network, a public charity through which audience members have funded scholarships and schools, youth centers, and women's shelters.

Warren Buffett jumps two spots to No.1 on BusinessWeek's 2006 ranking of "The 50 Most Generous Philanthropists." Buffett, the world's second-richest man, announced this year a planned $31 billion transfer of wealth to the foundation of the world's richest man, Buffett friend and Microsoft Corp. co-founder Bill Gates. Bill and Melinda Gates retain the No.2 spot for the second year.

Eleven new names made it on board BusinessWeek's ranking, with more money coming from fortunes made in the hedge fund and energy world. Giving to global causes was up, and big money went to promote research for disorders and diseases where donors have a personal connection.

BusinessWeek's special report, "The 50 Most Generous Philanthropists," is in the Nov. 27th issue on newsstands November 20th. Expanded content, including an interactive database, profiles of the top philanthropists, and methodology is available online.