Facebook boss Mark Zuckerberg to sell shares for charity efforts

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg has said he will sell a large number of his company’s shares that could raise upto USD 12 billion that he intends to use to fund philanthropic efforts in health and education.

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg has said he will sell a large number of his company’s shares that could raise upto USD 12 billion that he intends to use to fund philanthropic efforts in health and education.

Mark Zuckerberg (R), founder and CEO of Facebook, and wife Priscilla Chan arrive on the red carpet during the 2nd annual Breakthrough Prize Award in Mountain View, California November 9, 2014. (Reuters File Photo)

Zuckerberg said he plans to sell 35 million to 75 million shares - worth up to USD 12 billion at current prices - over the next 18 months for philanthropy.

He said because Facebook is now so valuable, he can sell a smaller allotment of his stake in the company to contribute capital to his charity initiatives to help eradicate diseases and provide education to all children.

“Over the past year-and-a-half, Facebook’s business has performed well and the value of our stock has grown to the point that I can fully fund our philanthropy and retain voting control of Facebook for 20 years or more,” Zuckerberg wrote in a Facebook post.