{"id":19,"date":"2025-02-28T11:06:24","date_gmt":"2025-02-28T19:06:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.givingpledge.org\/?page_id=19"},"modified":"2026-05-22T09:57:23","modified_gmt":"2026-05-22T16:57:23","slug":"about-the-giving-pledge","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.givingpledge.org\/about-the-giving-pledge\/","title":{"rendered":"About the Giving Pledge"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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About the Giving Pledge<\/h1>\n\n\n

Joining the Giving Pledge is more than a one-time event\u2014it means becoming part of an energized community of some of the world\u2019s most engaged philanthropists. More than fifteen years since its founding, the Giving Pledge has created new norms of generosity and evolved into a connected, forward-thinking, and active global learning community.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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A source of energy,\u00a0inspiration, and learning\u00a0\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The\u00a0Giving Pledge\u00a0was\u00a0created to shift norms in philanthropy \u2013 to encourage the ultra-wealthy to embrace philanthropy sooner, inspire one another, and learn how best to give.\u00a0\u00a0Today, the Giving Pledge is a cascading movement that\u00a0continues to grow,\u00a0diversify, and experiment with\u00a0new approaches\u00a0to\u00a0giving.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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How it works<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Philanthropists join the Giving Pledge through making a public commitment, and many write letters to explain their reasons behind joining. They pursue their philanthropy independently and often come together to learn or embark on collaborative giving efforts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pledgers support a wide array of issues in every corner of the globe and give in a multitude of ways. What unites them is a shared promise and a commitment to creating an impact.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Finding connection, inspiring action<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Being part of this community means Pledgers\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0need to\u00a0go it\u00a0alone. It means finding trusted peers to learn with and from.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Giving Pledge\u00a0has\u00a0brought profound impact, learning, and connection\u00a0to philanthropy, but much work remains to be done.\u00a0The remarkable growth of the community means there are now more opportunities than ever for Pledgers to collaborate, learn from one another, and make an impact together.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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See who has taken the Pledge<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Shifting norms, lasting impact<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Since the beginning, the Giving Pledge  has focused on individuals and couples with a net worth of at least one billion dollars (or who would be billionaires if not for their giving) due to the enormous potential of the resources they can deploy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That potential has translated into impact in every corner of the globe\u2014from shifting philanthropic norms to seeding innovation and helping people survive and thrive worldwide \u2013 though there is always more work to do. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Explore stories of our signatories’ impact<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
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Engaging across generations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Responding to  interest from children and grandchildren of Pledgers who were engaged with their family\u2019s philanthropy, the Giving Pledge Next Generation group\u2014or \u201cNext Gen\u201d\u2014was born in 2014. The goal of the Next Gen group is to enable participants to achieve the impact they hope to see in the world\u2014either through their own philanthropy, or by supporting their family\u2019s philanthropic endeavors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, the Next Gen group has more than 300 active participants around the world, ranging in age from 18 to 75, and it is growing rapidly.  <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

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\n\t\t\"Warren\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\tMore than 99% of my wealth will go to philanthropy during my lifetime or at death. Measured by dollars, this commitment is large. In a comparative sense, though, many individuals give more to others every day.”\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\tWarren Buffett, Pledged in 2010\t\t\t\t<\/cite>\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t

\n\t \n\t\tPledge letter\t <\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<\/article>\n\t\n\t
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\n\t\t\"Melinda\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\tI recognize the absurdity of so much wealth being concentrated in the hands of one person, and I believe the only responsible thing to do with a fortune this size is give it away\u2014as thoughtfully and impactfully as possible.”\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\tMelinda French Gates, Pledged in 2010\t\t\t\t<\/cite>\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t

\n\t \n\t\tPledge letter\t <\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<\/article>\n\t\n\t
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\n\t\t\"Bill\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\tMy dad used to say, \u201cThere\u2019s no problem bigger than we are.\u201d I never doubted him, but the work of the Giving Pledge gives me absolute certainty that he was right. I\u2019m honored to be part of this community of problem solvers.”\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\tBill Gates, Pledged in 2010\t\t\t\t<\/cite>\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t

\n\t \n\t\tPledge letter\t <\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<\/article>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n
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Explore the Giving Pledge community’s learning and impact<\/h2>\n\n\n\n