The Givers

Despite a still-iffy economy and another dip in consumer confidence last month, Americans continue to open their checkbooks for charity, with total philanthropic donations last year growing 4 percent to $298.42 billion versus 2010, according to Giving USA Foundation. Corporate giving, meanwhile, remains sluggish. But with these portraits, commissioned by Adweek, we applaud individuals bucking that trend. By committing their companies’ capital and human resources, giving their own time and money, and lending their influential voices to causes as diverse as climate change, access to clean drinking water, the arts and the support of military families, these powerful people are making a colossal difference.