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Jeff Bezos, who is one of the richest men in the world, is more than an inspiring businessman. Bezos is also a philanthropist who has several times made headlines for his big donation cheques. Recently, commuter engineer pledged to donate the majority of his $124 bn fortune. Over the last 12 years, the billionaire has donated major chunks of his income and here’s a look at it.

Jeff Bezos has donated millions from his wealth to Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Centre since 2009. In October this year, the Amazon founder announced a donation of $710 million to the non-profitable cancer organisation.

In 2013, Jeff Bezos pledged to give away $500,000 to Worldreader, a non-profit funded by a former Amazon employee. Worldreader aims to bring literacy to outlying, under-served areas by supplying towns and villages with e-readers and e-books.

Later in May 2017, Bezos gave $1 mn to the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press. This organisation provides pro bono legal services for American journalists.

In September 2018, the billionaire committed to donating approximately $2 bn to deal with American homelessness. He also pledged to develop a network of non-profit preschools for low-income communities. In the past, he has given away a portion of his fortunes for children’s education as well.

The Amazon founder in January 2018, donated $33 mn to a scholarship fund for young immigrants, who were brought to the United States illegally as children.

In June 2018, Bezos donated to Breakthrough Energy Ventures, a private philanthropic fund founded by Bill Gates aimed at promoting emissions-free energy.

The Amazon chief in February 2020, pledged $10 bn to combat climate change through the Bezos Earth Fund. This non-profitable organisation funds scientists, activists and other groups to protect the environment and counter the harmful effects of climate change.

In April 2020, when the world was reeling under the Covid-19 pandemic, Jeff Bezos donated $100 mn to food banks through feeding America. These food banks delivered food to homeless, underprivileged and stranded people in the country amid the Coronavirus outbreak.