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Canva CEO's 80% wealth donation pledge

By · Published by Everything Blog

In short

Melanie Perkins and Cliff Obrecht signed The Giving Pledge in 2021, committing to donate the vast majority of their wealth through the Canva Foundation. The foundation has already distributed over $80 million through 2025, which includes funding for a partnership with GiveDirectly to combat extreme poverty in Malawi. Beyond cash contributions, the company has donated $2.5 billion worth of products and services to educators, students, and more than one million nonprofits. These substantial charitable efforts reflect the rapid trajectory of Canva, which grew from a Sydney startup in 2013 into a tech powerhouse.

Key points

  • The founders plan to transfer an eventual 30% equity stake in Canva toward charitable end…: The founders plan to transfer an eventual 30% equity stake in Canva toward charitable endeavors.
  • Departing employees during 2026 layoffs received career coaching, healthcare support, and…: Departing employees during 2026 layoffs received career coaching, healthcare support, and $10,000 entrepreneurship grants.
  • Perkins established herself as a prominent unicorn founder at age 30 after Canva reached…: Perkins established herself as a prominent unicorn founder at age 30 after Canva reached a $1 billion valuation.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

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The package also provides career coaching, healthcare assistance and financial support for employees interested in launching their own businesses. Amid Canva layoffs 2026, the name of Canva CEO Melanie Perkins has grabbed eyeballs for offering financial support (employees can apply for grants of $10,000) who want to start something of their own after leaving the company.

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Canva CEO's to donate 80% of their wealth

In July this year, billionaires Cliff Obrecht and Melanie Perkins, the husband and wife cofounders of Canva announced the launch of a new philanthropic initiative called the Global Goals Platform. The effort, funded by their Canva Foundation, will survey citizens across the globe about the changes they’d most like to see in the world; it is an initial step toward fulfilling their pledge to eventually give away a 30% stake in their $42 billion private company.Melanie Perkins and Cliff Obrecht each own an…

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