From billionaires to small business owners: Entrepreneurs are giving back

Entrepreneurs are known for turning big ideas into successful businesses. More and more, some are also finding creative ways to turn their financial success into charitable impact. And while the headlines often focus on extraordinary fortunes, business owners of all sizes are showing that philanthropy doesn’t take billions of dollars to make a meaningful difference.

Consider the founders of Anthropic, the artificial intelligence company. In an essay earlier this year, CEO Dario Amodei confirmed that the company’s co-founders have pledged to donate 80% of their personal wealth from the company to charitable causes. As Inc. reported, that pledge covers all seven co-founders. With the company’s potential valuation reaching extraordinary heights, the commitment could eventually translate into substantial charitable resources. The founders’ approach reflects a desire to use business success to tackle significant societal challenges.

But this spirit of generosity isn’t limited to the founders of multibillion-dollar companies.

Another recent Inc. article on a new generation of founders highlights entrepreneurs who are building charitable giving into their businesses from the start, following the example of Newman’s Own. Actor Paul Newman co-founded the company with author A.E. Hotchner, and 100% of its after-tax profits go to charitable purposes through nonprofit ownership.

One example is WellWithAll, a health and wellness company that commits 20% of its profits to initiatives addressing health equity. Another is Two Blind Brothers, an apparel company founded by brothers Bradford and Bryan Manning. For years, the company directed its profits to organizations supporting people affected by blindness, and this year, according to Inc., it became a 501(c)(3) public charity modeled on Newman’s Own. These businesses show how entrepreneurs can make charitable giving a defining part of their company’s mission, even without the resources of a tech giant.

Of course, you don’t have to own a business to make a difference. And you don’t need to commit a particular percentage of your wealth to charity. Whether your charitable resources come from a successful business, retirement savings, an inheritance, appreciated investments, or simply money set aside in your annual budget, there are opportunities to make an impact.

That’s where we come in.

For example, a business owner preparing to sell a company might explore contributing a portion of the business interest to a charitable fund well before a sale is agreed, with the right legal and tax planning. Business owners may also want to explore ways to build giving into the company itself, not just their personal finances. A donor-advised fund can be a flexible way to support favorite charitable organizations over time while involving family members in giving decisions.

Meanwhile, a donor with more modest resources might establish a fund to support a favorite local cause, contribute to an existing Kitsap Community Foundation fund, or make gifts over several years to help build lasting support for an organization or community need. Donors can also explore gifts through their estate plans, making a meaningful charitable

commitment while keeping financial resources available during their lifetimes.

The common thread? Philanthropy isn’t defined by the size of a gift. What matters is the intention behind it and the difference it can make.

We work with individuals, families, and businesses with a wide range of charitable goals and financial circumstances. Whether you’re considering a significant gift after a business transaction or simply looking for a more intentional way to support the causes you care about, we’re here to help you explore the possibilities.

You don’t have to build a billion-dollar company to leave a lasting charitable legacy. We’re honored to be your home for charitable giving, whether you’re investing $250, $25,000, or $25 million to improve quality of life on the Kitsap Peninsula.

Know a local business that gives back? Nominate them for the 2027 Kitsap Celebration of Philanthropy! Nominations close Friday, December 11, at KitsapFoundation.org/celebration.