Paul Allen Accepts the Gates-Buffett Challenge

(7-16-10) On July 10, the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation announced grants totaling nearly $4 million, with $1,597,500 directed to the arts. On the same day, Paul Allen announced his intention to leave the bulk of his $13.5 billion estate to philanthropic causes—in part, answering a challenge to "America's uber-rich," issued by fellow billionaires Warren Buffett and Bill and Melinda Gates, to make public pledges of substantial support to philanthropic causes.

July 10 marked the 20th anniversary of the foundation, which has given "3,000 grants totaling about $400 million to a wide range of cultural, educational, scientific, and philanthropic organizations" since Allen established it with his sister, Jo Lynn Allen, in 1990. Allen has also gifted $600 million to additional projects, including the Experience Music Project and the Science Fiction Museum in Seattle.

More on Allen and his giving history/philosophy in The Seattle Times.