Michael Bloomberg, the mayor of New York, gave away $235m last year, making him the leading living donor in the US — and probably the world. The self-made billionaire of Bloomberg, the financial firm, contributed to more than 1,200 organisations, according to the Chronicle of Philanthropy’s recent list.

Stephen Schwarzman, co-founder of the Blackstone Group, donated $105m while casino billionaire Sheldon Adelson pledged $41.9m, mostly to the Birthright Israel Foundation.