Craigslist founder gave away $500 million—and now he’s calling out other billionaires

Business & Finance
17 Jun 2026 • 10:39 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Craigslist founder gave away $500 million—and now he’s calling out other billionaires

  • Craig Newmark, founder of Craigslist, has donated half a billion dollars to charity and encourages other wealthy individuals to embrace philanthropy.
  • Newmark's commitment to giving is rooted in childhood lessons from Holocaust survivors about kindness and knowing when one has enough.
  • His philanthropic efforts contrast with those of some billionaires, such as Peter Thiel, who actively discourage participation in initiatives like The Giving Pledge.
  • Newmark finds the criticism from some wealthy individuals against philanthropy illogical, particularly claims that donations primarily support 'left-wing' causes.
  • Living modestly and prioritizing values over wealth, Newmark established Craig Newmark Philanthropies in 2015 to support areas like cybersecurity, journalism, and military families.

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