Lottery Winners Who Gave Everything Away
Most lottery fantasies start with what you'd buy. A small number of real winners started somewhere else entirely: who they could help. Some gave away most of their winnings. A few gave away nearly all of it. Their stories are some of the most striking in lottery history — and the research on giving suggests they may have made themselves happier in the process.
Giving Money Away Can Make You Happier Than Spending It
It's natural to assume a lottery winner who gives away millions is making a pure sacrifice. Psychology research suggests it's more complicated than that.
In a widely cited 2008 study published in Science, psychologists Elizabeth Dunn, Lara Aknin, and Michael Norton found that people who spent money on others reported greater happiness than people who spent the same money on themselves. Later research found similar patterns across many countries.
We call this the generosity dividend: the emotional return people get from giving that can outlast the brief boost from buying something new. For some winners, giving isn't the opposite of enjoying their luck. It's how they enjoy it.
Stories of Winners Who Gave It Away
Tom Crist: The Entire Jackpot
In 2013, Tom Crist, a retired businessman from Calgary, Canada, won a C$40 million Lotto 6/49 jackpot. He later announced that he would give the entire prize to charity through a family foundation.
Crist said he was already financially comfortable, and that his late wife, who had died of cancer, had inspired a focus on cancer-related causes. His story stood out because he didn't give away a portion — he gave away all of it.
Allen and Violet Large: 98% in Months
In 2010, Allen and Violet Large, a retired couple from Nova Scotia, won about C$11.2 million in Lotto 6/49. At the time, Violet was undergoing cancer treatment.
The couple said they already had what they needed. Within months, they gave away roughly 98% of the prize to family members, local organizations, churches, fire departments, hospitals, and cancer-related charities, keeping only a small amount for themselves.
Frances and Patrick Connolly: Two Foundations
On New Year's Day 2019, Frances and Patrick Connolly, a couple from Northern Ireland living in England, won £115 million in EuroMillions. They drew up a list of friends and family they wanted to help and set up two charitable foundations.
Frances later spoke about how much meaning she found in giving, and the couple became well known in the UK for putting a large share of their win toward charitable causes.
Why Some Winners Give So Much
Winners who give generously often share a few characteristics.
1. They were already financially secure
Many of the most generous winners were retired or comfortable before winning. They didn't need a life-changing sum, so the win felt like an opportunity to help others.
2. They had personal experience with hardship or illness
Illness, loss, and community struggles often shaped where winners chose to give.
3. They valued community over lifestyle
Rather than new houses or luxury goods, they focused on the people and institutions around them.
4. They saw money as responsibility
Several generous winners have described large sums as something to manage for others rather than simply enjoy.
How to Give Away Lottery Winnings Wisely
Generosity after a big win is admirable, but giving effectively takes planning. We call this approach structured generosity: giving that is organized, tax-aware, and sustainable rather than impulsive.
Get professional advice first
Large gifts can have tax consequences for the giver and, in some places, for recipients. A tax professional and attorney can help set up gifts correctly.
Consider a foundation or donor-advised fund
Foundations and donor-advised funds let winners give over many years, involve family in decisions, and plan giving strategically.
Research charities
Look for organizations with clear goals, transparent finances, and evidence that their programs work.
Be careful with direct gifts to individuals
Gifts to friends and family can transform lives, but they can also change relationships. Clear, consistent rules help — for example, one-time gifts rather than open-ended support.
Don't give away what you need
Some winners give generously and then face unexpected costs. A financial plan should come first.
Giving Options at a Glance
| Option | Best for | Consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Direct charity donations | Supporting specific causes quickly | May need tax planning |
| Donor-advised fund | Flexible, long-term giving | Fund fees and rules apply |
| Private foundation | Large, lasting family philanthropy | More administration and legal requirements |
| Gifts to family and friends | Personal impact | Relationship and tax implications |
| Community projects | Local, visible change | Needs coordination with organizations |
Rules and tax treatment vary by country; get professional advice before making large gifts.
What These Stories Teach Everyone
You don't need a lottery win to benefit from the generosity dividend. The research suggests that even small acts of giving — buying coffee for a coworker, donating to a cause, helping a neighbor — can increase happiness.
The generous lottery winners simply did it at a scale most people will never have the chance to.
Key Takeaways
- Some lottery winners have given away most or all of their prize.
- Tom Crist of Calgary announced he would donate his entire C$40 million Lotto 6/49 win in 2013.
- Allen and Violet Large of Nova Scotia gave away about 98% of their C$11.2 million win in 2010.
- A 2008 study by Elizabeth Dunn, Lara Aknin, and Michael Norton found spending on others boosted happiness more than spending on oneself.
- Generous winners were often already financially secure and motivated by personal experience with illness or community needs.
- Tax and legal advice, donor-advised funds, and foundations help winners give wisely.
Quick Answers
Has anyone given away all of their lottery winnings?
Yes. One widely reported example is Tom Crist of Calgary, Canada, who won a C$40 million Lotto 6/49 jackpot in 2013 and announced he would donate all of it to charity. Allen and Violet Large of Nova Scotia gave away about 98% of their C$11.2 million win in 2010.
Why do lottery winners give their money away?
Many generous winners were already financially comfortable and saw the win as a chance to help others. Personal experiences with illness, loss, or community needs often shaped their decisions. Research also suggests giving money to others can increase happiness, which may make giving feel rewarding.
What's the best way for a lottery winner to donate money?
Most experts recommend getting tax and legal advice first, then choosing a structure such as direct donations, a donor-advised fund, or a private foundation. Researching charities carefully and setting clear rules for gifts to family and friends helps winners give generously without creating new problems.
Where Winner Philanthropy Is Heading
Donor-advised funds and online giving tools make it far easier to give strategically than it was a generation ago. Our prediction: more big lottery winners will announce giving plans alongside their wins — sometimes the only thing they share publicly — as philanthropy becomes a way for winners to control their own story in an era when privacy is hard to protect.
For how to handle a big win responsibly, read What to Do After Winning the Lottery.