Филантропическая активность российских миллиардеров: структура и институциональные особенности

Журнал институциональных исследований. 2026. Т. 18. № 3. С. 116–130.

Shvetsova E.

This article analyzes the philanthropic activity of Russian billionaires as a mechanism for the

institutional legitimization of capital, aimed at its preservation and the transformation of economic

capital into symbolic capital. The empirical analysis is based on a self-contained database containing

information from public sources on the philanthropic activity of 146 Russian billionaires included in

the 2025 Forbes list, as well as information on 180 heirs of billionaires. An analysis of the areas of

charitable activity, the level of transparency and systematicity of initiatives, and the participation of

the next generation in philanthropic projects is included, allowing us to understand the overall degree

of institutionalization. The results show that approximately 70% of Russian billionaires are involved

in philanthropy, but only 46% have institutionalized it through their own foundations. Philanthropic

activity is concentrated primarily in socially legitimate areas – culture, education, healthcare, and

support for vulnerable groups – while areas related to civil society support are often ignored. Regional

philanthropy serves as a significant complementary tool for implementing social policy measures in areas

where businesses operate. The level of foundation transparency varies, indicating that this practice is not

fully institutionalized. Heirs' involvement in philanthropy is still unsignificant, but initial examples of

institutionalized transfer of symbolic capital to the next generation are being recorded. It is concluded

that philanthropy can function as a mechanism for legitimizing super-wealth, but it is currently only a

partially institutionalized and not very sustainable practice within the Russian business elite, the size of

which is incomparable to the level of philanthropic activity in developed capitalist countries. 

Keywords: благотворительность, филантропия, charity, philanthropy, Forbes, Forbes ranking, russian billionaires, российские миллиардеры, billionaire heirs, наследники миллиардеров

Publication based on the results of: Recommendations on family policy and active ageing policy measures taking into account the dynamics of quality of life indicators (2025)