By the end of the academic year, I will donate $1,000 to support access to high-quality books and learning materials for K-12 students in underserved communities in the Madison area, partnering with a local organization that directly distributes educational resources to schools and youth programs.

Once I have a stable job and income, my giving goal is to consistently dedicate a portion of my earnings and time to improving the lives of marginalized women in my community. I hope to support organizations that address structural inequalities such as racism, poverty, and gender discrimination through regular donations, volunteering, and participation in advocacy efforts. I also want to stay engaged in systemic change by supporting policies and leaders working to advance equity. Over time, I aim for these commitments to grow alongside my financial stability and remain a lifelong priority.

I hope to give both time and money to organizations in my community to support causes I care about. As I earn more money, I hope to be able to contribute at least 5% of my income to some of these causes. I think volunteer work is so important, so I plan to also give a couple hours of my time each month to help organizations in my community.

Giving Goals If circumstances aligned and I had the capital to give, I would allocate my money in a variety of ways. Firstly, I would save and secure long term housing and passive income needs for my family. I would start a fund for my children’s education and have some capital left over for them. Throughout the time, I would consider giving to specific organizations. Specifically I would love to be involved with projects like one I had heard of in New Hampshire where artists of every discipline (but for me specifically music and visual arts) are given time and space to work. I’d love to be one of the donors who gets involved and learns about their work by collaborating, learning and consuming their art. Additionally I would fund youth orchestra organizations and public school music programs. Here, I’d love to be on the board, hear proposals of where to put the money but also influence these places with directions I see as strong for their future. If I had lots of capital, I would love to invest in a collection of fine instruments and loan them to deserving artists. If the money left to give was more modest, I would likely donate to chamber music festivals and artists and organizations like the Berlin Philharmonic, whom I truly believe in. I would consider giving to nature preserve organizations and local parks. Perhaps to have a bench donated as an anonymous donor or to my children. Music and environment are two of the most likely places I see myself actively giving money to. This aligns with my personal interests and with the understanding that these are the things I know and love best. If there was lots of money, I would consider also giving to science organizations or universities for research funding. Places like the Institute for Advanced Study or Oxford University are places I feel at this moment are great places to give.

My giving goal is to build a lifelong practice of values driven philanthropy that grows with me. I plan to give each year starting with around 4-5% of my income and growing from there. I am particularly committed and interested in supporting organizations that advocate for children and families with disabilities, or within the criminal justice system, or those that have served me growing up. For me, that means supporting Jewish communal organizations like Friendship Circle, Chai Lifeline, my temple at home, and The UW Madison Chabad. Beyond the financial contributions, I want to also be able to give by being actively involved by serving on boards, volunteering my time, and using my skills in the Community and Organizational Development major to improve strategies and impact. I want to help shift the systems in the long term for the organizations that I truly care about.