Warren Buffett, on July 10, 2017, contributed $3.2 billion of Berkshire Hathaway stock to several charities. According to Berkshire’s press release:
“Warren E. Buffett, Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, today converted 12,500 of his Class A shares into 18,750,000 Class B shares. Of these Class B shares, 18,628,189 have been donated to five foundations: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation, Sherwood Foundation, Howard G. Buffett Foundation and NoVo Foundation. These shares have a current value of $3.17 billion. This contribution is pursuant to the June 26, 2006 pledge letters posted on www.berkshirehathaway.com, subsequently modified upward for three of the foundations. Mr. Buffett has never sold any shares of Berkshire. With the current gift, however, more than 40% of his 2006 holdings have been given to the five foundations. Their value at the time of the gifts, including the 2017 gift, totals $27.54 billion. Mr. Buffett intends to have all of his Berkshire shares given to philanthropy through annual gifts that will be completed ten years after his estate is settled. In all cases, his A shares will be converted into B shares immediately prior to the gift.”
