A $1.8B startup sale made him wealthy—now he plans to donate half his net worth: ‘The American Dream isn’t just about getting rich’

Jeff Atwood, co-founder of Stack Overflow, which sold for $1.8 billion in 2021, plans to donate half his net worth within the next five years. He has already made substantial donations to nonprofits and is concerned about wealth inequality and barriers to the American Dream. Atwood's urgency in giving contrasts with other philanthropists, like Warren Buffett, who plan to donate much of their wealth posthumously. Atwood's dedication to philanthropy echoes efforts by other major donors who focus on impactful and effective charitable giving.