More than 19,000 on Clinton foundation donor list in '09

WASHINGTON - Foreign governments, longtime Democratic fundraisers, entertainers and thousands of individuals gave money to former President Bill Clinton's charitable foundation in 2009, according to a list of donors the foundation released Friday under an agreement with President Barack Obama to prevent the appearance of conflicts with Hillary Rodham Clinton's role as secretary of state.

Some foreign governments that had been multimillion-dollar donors in the past, including Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Kuwait and Qatar, did not give in 2009, which was Hillary Rodham Clinton's first year in the cabinet post. Others that continued their giving included Norway, which has donated $10 million to $25 million over the past several years, and Oman, whose donations have totaled $1 million to $5 million.

The list says whether donors gave money in 2009, but states only the range of the total amount each donated since the charity started in 1998, not what each gave in 2009 alone.

Also among the 19,047 donors from last year are Slim-Fast founder and billionaire Democratic donor S. Daniel Abraham, who has given the Clinton Foundation between $5 million and $10 million; Canadian mining tycoon Frank Giustra, who has given more than $25 million; and Scottish financier Sir Tom Hunter, whose foundation has donated between $10 million and $25 million. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation also gave money in 2009 and ranks among the top donors, having given more than $25 million.

"I am deeply grateful to the many generous contributors who made it possible for my foundation to accomplish so much in 2009, including increasing the number of people on lifesaving HIV/AIDS treatment, helping cities reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and inspiring millions of children to lead healthier lives," Bill Clinton said in a statement.

Clinton resisted revealing his foundation's donors during his wife's presidential campaign, but he agreed to do so in late 2008 when she was negotiating with Obama's transition team to join the cabinet.