Warren Buffett’s couple of decades of annual lunches and $53 million raised is probably a record that will stand the test of time, but Salesforce Chair and CEO Marc Benioff is going to try to beat it.
Winning bidders of the Power of One Charity Auction Lunch will be invited to lunch with Benioff to support GLIDE, a nationally recognized center for social justice in San Francisco, dedicated to fighting systemic injustices, creating pathways out of poverty and crisis, and transforming lives. Salesforce is also based in San Francisco.
The lunch will take place at a location of Benioff’s choosing on a mutually decided date and time. The winning bidder may invite up to seven guests.
The auction will begin May 5 with an opening bid of $25,000 and continue through May 10, although you must pre-qualify by May 8. The Power of One Charity Auction Lunch has raised $53 million to support GLIDE’s programs since 2000.
Conceived by the late Susie Buffett, the Power of One Charity Auction Lunch was launched in 2000 and initially raised $25,000. In 2003 and at Warren Buffet’s suggestion, the auction moved to eBay and has since raised more than $53 million to support GLIDE. Winning bids have exceeded $1 million since 2008 and Buffett’s last lunch in 2022 raised $19 million.
“We are so grateful that Marc Benioff is continuing Warren Buffett’s legacy of supporting San Francisco’s most vulnerable,” GLIDE President and CEO Gina M. Fromer, Ph.D., said via a statement. “Warren Buffett’s vision, generosity, and friendship over the last two decades has enabled GLIDE to directly improve the lives of thousands daily. This legacy is in excellent hands with Marc, who has long been an outspoken champion for equality and justice in the Bay Area and worldwide.”
“The baton is in the right hands with Marc Benioff,” said Buffett via a statement. “He’s going to do a wonderful job improving on what I did over the years. With Marc’s enthusiasm and commitment, along with GLIDE’s leadership and volunteers, GLIDE will be able to continue providing its vital services for San Francisco.”
Said Benioff via a statement: “I’m incredibly humbled to continue Warren’s legacy by supporting the Power of One Charity Lunch Auction, and I’m so grateful for the passion of Susie and the leadership of Warren and Reverend Cecil Williams. We’re thrilled to work with GLIDE, building on their great work to support the amazing city of San Francisco.”
