politics

Let's just say the competition was fierce. Just one Minnesotan made the list of the nation's Top 10 mega-philanthropists of 2009.

Caroline Amplatz's $50 million donation for a new children's hospital at the University of Minnesota squeaked into last place in this rarefied ranking published recently by the Chronicle of Philanthropy. Amplatz is the daughter of Minnesota medical device pioneer Dr. Kurt Amplatz.

How much cash would have vaulted the Minnesota donation to the top? Try $748 million. That would edge out the $747 million donated by John C. Haas to the William Penn Foundation in Philadelphia to improve the quality of life in that metro area. The foundation was created by Haas' parents.

Meanwhile, Microsoft founder Bill Gates shelled out $350 million for new offices and a visitor center at his foundation's Seattle campus.

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg donated $125 million to several nonprofits to prevent traffic accidents in developing countries.

Financier George Soros dropped $100 million to create a climate-change advisory group for politicians and policymakers.

With just 10 donations stacking up to nearly $3 billion last year, wasn't that cause for dancing in the streets? Apparently not.

"The 10 single biggest gifts donated by Americans in 2009 totaled just $2.7 billion,'' compared with $8 billion in 2008 and more than $4 billion in 2007, the Chronicle reports.

In spite of the recession, it wasn't the worst year for giving by the wealthiest Americans. In the past dozen years, the top 10 donated $2 billion or less in 1998, 2002, 2003 and 2005.

So what about the Top 10 big spenders in Minnesota?

Good luck finding out their names.

Jean Gorell, president of the Minnesota Association of Professional Fundraisers, reports that individual Minnesotans donated millions of dollars last year, "but donors wish to remain anonymous.''

Jean Hopfensperger • 612-673-4511