Iowa couple top Oprah on 2009 giving list

Iowans John and Mary Pappajohn find themselves among heavy hitting company on the Chronicle of Philanthropy's annual "Philanthropy 50" list of top charitable donors.  The Pappajohns ranked No. 23 -- coming in two spots above noted giver Oprah Winfrey, who ranked No. 25. Not too shabby for the generous Iowans and venture capitalists.

The list says the Pappajohns donated $47.3 million in 2009, compared to the $41.4 million donated by Winfrey.  The total given by the Pappajohns in 2009 includes a landmark $26.4 million gift to the University of Iowa for the new Pappajohn Institute, to be housed in the under-construction John and Mary Pappajohn Biomedical Discovery Building. Announced in November, it was the single largest gift to the UI from individual Iowa donors.

The Pappajohns have long been generous donors to Iowa's regent universities and civic institutions. Their 2009 giving also included $13 million to the Des Moines Art Center to create a sculpture park downtown.

Topping the Philanthropy 50 list for 2009 was Stanley and Fiona Druckenmiller, who gave $705 million. Third on the list were Bill and Melinda Gates, who gave $350 million, and fourth was Michael Bloomberg, who donated $254 million.

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