Bill Gates: Philanthropist With a Capital G

Don't ever say again he's not charitable. According to Fortune.com, Microsoft's megaboss just plunked down $3.3 billion for the benefit of two charitable foundations, whose names (if not functions) you may recognize: the William H. Gates Foundation and the Gates Learning Foundation. The former supports world health and human services programs, while the latter helps libraries in poor neighborhoods obtain software and computer services. TIME magazine Wall Street columnist Daniel Kadlec says that this is believed to be "the largest charitable donation by any individual. The donations are a testament not only to Microsoft's huge success, but also to the incredible wealth that is being made across Silicon Valley." Of course, notes Kadlec, "the man is worth over $70 billion. He can afford it."