David Hockney tops Giving List 2

Fundraising | Celina Ribeiro | 30 Apr 2012

Artist David Hockney gave away more than twice his wealth in 2012, to become the most generous person on the Sunday Times Giving List.

The Rich List, published yesterday, revealed a nearly 5 per cent increase in the wealth of Britain’s richest people to top £414bn – more than before the 2008 financial crash. More of them, however, are also giving their money away, according to the Charities Aid Foundation, which produces the Giving List with the newspaper. For the first time, 100 of the wealthiest people named in the list gave away at least 1 per cent of their income to good causes.

The Giving List, which is published alongside the Rich List and ranks philanthropists according to how the proportion of their wealth they give away, featured Hockney as a new entrant after the artist gifted his eponymous foundation with £78.1m of his artwork. Last year’s top giver, Arung Dikshit, donated £23.4m - or 66.72 per cent - of his wealth to come in third place, with Christopher Cooper-Hohn, who gave away £72.1m, in second.

Impact is a central concern for the Giving List philanthropists, nine out of ten of whom said they are confident that their gifts have had an impact. Giving strategically was also identified as important to 81 per cent of them, according to CAF which surveyed the wealthy for their views on philanthropy.

Two-thirds said they were motivated by the enjoyment they got from giving.

Fundraising magazine features monthly interviews with major donors. In the May issue, we speak to Richard Ross, ranked 24th on the Sunday Times Giving List, about his giving.

To read what he thinks about charity, and keep up to date with other philanthropists and funders, subscribe to the magazine or check out the Meet the Funders section online.

Directory: Charities Aid Foundation

Place a comment

David
1 May 2012

He is similar to the Bank of England in the way that they can print money out of fresh air. David Hockney can create new art, and then an art auctioneer determines its value based on sale of previous similar items. If he has a warehouse full of previously unsold items someone will say that they are worth x amount. If he wanted to sell, then this is what they would be worth.

Or am I wrong?

[Reply]

Jo Wood
30 Apr 2012

How can anyone give away more than what they own, let alone twice as much ?

That just doesn't make sense ?

What's the explanation ?

[Reply]

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