"Glide really takes people who have hit rock bottom and helps bring them back," Buffett said in a statement. Buffett, 87, has raised $29.6 million for Glide through the 19 auctions. His first wife Susan, who died in 2004, introduced him to Glide after volunteering there. The Reverend Cecil Williams, 88, Glide's charismatic co-founder, remains a minister at its affiliated church.

"The $3.3 million is an extraordinary gift, not just the money but the fact that Warren Buffett lends his name and reputation and shines a light on the work Glide does," Glide's president, Karen Hanrahan, said by phone.

"Demand for our services is skyrocketing, in this city of innovation and wealth."

The winning bidder and up to seven friends can dine with Buffett at the Smith & Wollensky steak house in Manhattan. Buffett will discuss anything apart from what he might invest in next.

Ted Weschler, a hedge fund manager, paid a combined $5.25 million to win the 2010 and 2011 auctions, and later joined Berkshire as one of Buffett's investment managers.

Berkshire has more than 90 businesses in the insurance, energy, food and retail, industrial, railroad, real estate and other sectors, and also invests in companies such as Apple Inc , Wells Fargo & Co and Coca-Cola Co.