By Lawrence Delevingne

Close to $12 Billion of Generosity

Saving major charity for the end of life may seem passé, but mega-bequests are still happening—and still having a big impact. Billions of dollars will flow to higher education, global health, and various pet causes of the wealthiest Americans in 2008. At least one bequest took pet causes to the extreme: more than $5 billion to help dogs. Totaling nearly $12 billion, here are 15 of the largest bequests announced over the past 12 months:

Note: Some estates are not settled, so an asterix denotes an estimated figure