Our 18th annual edition of this list consists of entries featuring 15 philanthropists in Asia who have made significant contributions and demonstrated commitment to causes they cherish over the past year. Some of this year’s listers chose to direct funds—or company shares—to their family foundations to support causes such as healthcare and women empowerment. Case in point is Indian billionaire Abhishek Lodha, who transferred 180 million shares (valued at $2.5 billion) in listed real estate company Macrotech Developers to Lodha Philanthropy Foundation last month. Also in India, billionaire brothers Sudhir and Samir Mehta pledged 50 billion rupees ($595 million) to their family’s UNM Foundation to be disbursed over five years, with a focus on healthcare, education, ecology and the arts.

Others of the 15 philanthropists in Asia on this list are paying it forward and donating to their alma mater. Xiaomi cofounder and chairman Lei Jun pledged 1.3 billion yuan ($182 million) to Wuhan University, having received a scholarship himself while a student there. Similarly, South Korean billionaire Michael Kim made a $25 million donation to establish the Institute for Ethical Inquiry and Leadership at Haverford College in Pennsylvania, while Taiwan’s Daniel Tsai made a $30 million donation to Georgetown University’s law school.

Education is the cause most favored by our 15 philanthropists in Asia. These include Hong Kong’s Solina Chau and Singapore’s Eduardo Saverin, two of the nine newcomers to the list this year.

The 15 philanthropists in Asia on this unranked list were selected for their philanthropic efforts in the past year, making significant donations from their own fortunes. It does not consider corporate philanthropy unless the company is privately held and the individual is a majority owner.

Research and reporting for this list of 15 philanthropists in Asia: Jonathan Burgos, Shu-Ching Jean Chen, Gloria Haraito, John Kang, Zinnia Lee, Anuradha Raghunathan, James Simms, Yue Wang, Jennifer Wells and Ardian Wibisono.

Abhishek Lodha: Abhishek Lodha and his family transferred 180 million shares in listed real estate company Macrotech Developers to the Lodha Philanthropy Foundation in early November. The shares, representing a fourth of the family’s 72% stake, had a value of 209 billion rupees ($2.5 billion) on the day of the transfer. Dividend income from the shares will be used to fund philanthropic activities in four areas: women empowerment, children, the environment and promotion of Indian culture.

Read the full article about the list of 15 notable philanthropists at Forbes.