Adams joins Canva co-founders Melanie Perkins and Cliff Obrecht in giving the majority of his fortune to charity as part of his promise.
Key Takeaways
- Canva co-founder Cameron Adams and his wife Lisa Miller have signed the Giving Pledge, where the wealthy promise to donate the majority of their fortune to charity.
- Adams joins his co-founders Mel Perkins and Cliff Obrecht, who signed the Pledge back in 2021.
- Adams’ fortune is estimated by Forbes to be US$2.9 billion (AU$4.5 billion).
- The pair have promised to donate the majority of their wealth to protect and restore biodiversity through the Wedgetail Foundation.
Key background
The Giving Pledge, signed by Canva co-founder Adams, is a promise by the world’s wealthiest philanthropists to give the majority of their wealth to charitable causes in their lifetime or wills. It was launched in 2010 by billionaire investor Warren Buffett and Microsoft founder Bill Gates and his then-wife Melinda French. All members are billionaires, or would be if they had not donated most of their wealth.
Perkins and Obrecht signed the pledge back in 2021 with a simple note outlining their company’s two-step plan: to build one of the world’s most valuable companies, and to do the most good.
“We have this wildly optimistic belief that there is enough money, goodwill, and good intentions in the world to solve most of the world’s problems. We feel like it’s not just a massive opportunity, but an important responsibility and we want to spend our lifetime working towards that,” the pair said at the time.
Related
Big numbers
US$2.9 billion (AU$4.5 billion). That’s what Forbes estimates Adams’ net worth to be.
$39 billion. That was Canva’s last valuation in 2024.
What we know
Adams and Miller say they’ve spent the last few years protecting and restoring biodiversity and supporting communities on the frontlines of conservation via the Wedgetail Foundation, which was founded by Miller to “reimagine regeneration and help bridge the gap by 2030”.
Through the Giving Pledge, the pair say they’ll direct the majority of their wealth toward this.
Crucial quote
“Philanthropy is more than charity; it is a means of addressing systemic issues, driving meaningful change, and ensuring that future generations inherit a world rich in possibility and biodiversity. By joining the Giving Pledge, we aim to emphasise this responsibility and commit our resources to the planet that we all rely on.”
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