GLIDE’s 20th annual eBay for Charity Power Lunch with Warren Buffett Sold for a record-breaking $4,567,888

SAN JOSE, Calif., June 3, 2019 /3BL Media/ — GLIDE’s annual eBay for Charity Auction for a Power Lunch with Warren Buffett, sold to the highest bidder for $4,567,888.The record-breaking sale coincides with the 20th anniversary of the legendary auction, which to date has provided over $30 million to support GLIDE’s comprehensive suite of social services that help San Francisco’s most vulnerable residents.

Justin Sun, founder of blockchain platform TRON and CEO of peer-to-peer streaming leader BitTorrent, is this year’s winner. Sun and up to seven invited guests get to attend a private lunch with Buffett at Smith & Wollensky Steakhouse in New York City. 

“BitTorrent and TRON’s US headquarters are in San Francisco, and bidding on this charity auction was a key priority for our team,’’ Sun said. “I’m proud to have my bid donated to GLIDE, a foundation that provides critical support for our local homeless community.”

“I’m looking forward to meeting a true pioneer in investing,” Sun added. “I’m excited to talk to Warren Buffett about the promise of blockchain and to get valuable tips and insights from him about entrepreneurship and making bold bets on the future.”

Bidding for this year’s eBay charity auction opened at 7:30 pm PDT on Sunday, May 26, and closed at 7:30 p.m. PDT on Friday, May 31. The bidding started at $25,000.

“GLIDE has done tremendous work to alleviate suffering and break the cycles of poverty and marginalization in San Francisco. We are incredibly proud that this year’s Power Lunch with Warren has broken our all-time record of funds raised,” said eBay’s President and CEO Devin Wenig. “eBay’s portfolio of programs and resources for non-profits enable and inspire charitable giving around the world and we’re thrilled to partner with Warren Buffett and GLIDE on this important effort.”

“Getting eBay involved changed the experience from a very local lunch to a worldwide lunch,” said Warren Buffett recently. “We’ve not only raised money together, but I’ve been able to meet very interesting people from all over the world. The one universal characteristic with all the winners is that they have a good time and feel like they’ve gotten their money’s worth.”

“On behalf of GLIDE and the communities we serve, I want to thank Warren Buffett for his unwavering friendship and dedication to this auction, and the winning bidder for their generous support,” said GLIDE President and CEO Karen Hanrahan. “GLIDE's partnership with Warren is 20 years strong, and this year's auction broke all previous records.  The funds raised through the Power of One Lunch auction go directly to support GLIDE’s programs and services.  As GLIDE builds upon our legacy and works to further our reach and deepen our impact, the partnership of Mr. Buffett and our winning bidder's generosity translates into more people with the services, support and community they need to move from crisis to stability to resiliency."

Over the past 19 years, the winning bids have ranged from $25,000 (prior to eBay’s involvement) to the highest bid of $4,567,888. Last year’s bid was $3,300,100. Funds raised go directly to support GLIDE’s programs. eBay hosted the auction for the 17th year in a row.

For over 50 years, GLIDE has stood with the most vulnerable, including the poor and marginalized, those with illness, people of color, immigrants. GLIDE remains a place for all in need to find a warm meal, access to healthcare and shelter, childcare and family services, and someone to advocate for them. GLIDE serves roughly 750,000 free meals a year.

For more information, please contact GLIDE at 415-674-6060, Buffett@GLIDE.org or visit eBay.com/GLIDE. 

About GLIDE: 

Building on the 50-year legacy of Co-Founders Rev. Cecil Williams and Janice Mirikitani, GLIDE challenges inequities and stands with the poor, people of color, LGBTQ persons, and others facing oppression, isolation and stigma, while offering a holistic, integrated model of programs and services to address the complex needs of the community. Today, under the leadership of President and CEO Karen Hanrahan, GLIDE continues to deepen its impact and extend its reach to thousands of people in need. Through comprehensive services, fearless advocacy and spiritual connection, GLIDE remains a powerful beacon of hope for a healthier, more just and inclusive city.

For more information about GLIDE please visit GLIDE.org. Twitter: @GLIDEsf, Instagram: @GLIDEsf, Facebook: facebook.com/GLIDEsf

About eBay

eBay Inc. (NASDAQ: EBAY) is a global commerce leader including the Marketplace, StubHub and Classifieds platforms. Collectively, we connect millions of buyers and sellers around the world, empowering people and creating opportunity through Connected Commerce. Founded in 1995 in San Jose, Calif., eBay is one of the world's largest and most vibrant marketplaces for discovering great value and unique selection. In 2018, eBay enabled $95 billion of gross merchandise volume. For more information about the company and its global portfolio of online brands, visit www.ebayinc.com.