Photo: AR

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg celebrated the birth of his daughter with a post on the social network, where he promised to give 99% of his stake to charity.

In a message that Zuckerberg posted on Tuesday evening, he said he had decided to give 99% of his Facebook stake to charity and social causes during his lifetime. According to the founder of one of the largest social networks, this money should go towards developing human potential and creating equal opportunities for children around the world.

Zuckerberg promised to talk more about his plans after entering a new rhythm and returning from maternity leave, which he sent himself on a few weeks ago. In his message, which Zuckerberg addressed to his daughter named Max, he also wished her to grow up in a world that would be better than ours.

Now the value of Zuckerberg's entire stake is about $44.9 billion (at the December 1 closing price of $107.12 per share). According to documents Facebook filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on December 1, Zuckerberg plans to donate or sell no more than $1 billion worth of Facebook shares annually over the next three years.

At the same time, the founder of the social network promised that “in the foreseeable future” he will retain his voting role in the company. As the majority voting shareholder, Zuckerberg controls all key decisions in the company, including transactions, re-election of top management, purchase or sale of assets - everything that must be submitted to shareholders for discussion.

Donations or money from the sale of shares will go to the new company Chan Zuckerberg Initiative LLC, which Zuckerberg founded with his wife Priscilla Chan. A legal structure in the form of a limited liability company (LLC), and not in the form of a non-profit organization or foundation, will allow the Zuckerberg family not only to make grants, but also to invest in securities, engage in lobbying activities, and also participate in discussions of socially important issues, notes The New York Times. Non-profit charitable organizations in the United States are prohibited from such activities.

Facebook notes that all Chan Zuckerberg Initiative actions or investments will be aimed at “positive change in areas of greatest need.” Any profits that may be generated from such investments will be returned to the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative to fund future projects, the company said.

Since Facebook went public in May 2012, the company's shares have risen in price by more than 180%, and 90% of analysts surveyed believe that this trend will continue, Business Insider notes.

Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan met as students at Harvard University. They dated for ten years, after which they decided to get married.

Facebook for the benefit of humanity