TCU’s Nature of Giving class has helped me to understand what it means to give well. While I have always had a heart for giving and helping others, I now know how to perform extensive due diligence to carefully assess every aspect of a nonprofit to ensure that I am giving effectively and intentionally. As a result of what I have learned in this class coupled with my passion to give, I pledge to give 10% of my income to nonprofits close to my heart, such as cancer research and support organizations, grief counseling services, education support services, and mental health advocacy groups. Of course, my giving may not always be limited to these specific causes, and I will keep myself open to spontaneous giving as the world’s needs shift unpredictably over time. I will continue to do my due diligence by performing annual evaluations on nonprofits to which I may choose to give and use that information to guide my giving decisions in the future. Finally, I pledge to share the philanthropic experiences and knowledge that I have learned from this class to encourage others to give smart and give from the heart, just as I have pledged to do.

Out of thankfulness for all I have been given and the belief that every human life has both immense and equal value, I pledge to make giving a foundational part of my life. First, I pledge to give 12% of my annual gross income, beginning immediately after college. Every six months I will use the research methods taught to us in this class to choose where to allocate the money. Second, I pledge to give to causes that are close to my heart at the time while also doing extensive due diligence to ensure the dollars I am providing will be used effectively and efficiently for the benefit of the people they are serving. Third, I also pledge to spontaneously give to people around me that have an immediate need that I can help meet. Finally, I pledge to support anyone around me with my personal skillsets and, specifically, my degree in Finance and Accounting. Whether that be helping people to create a budget, assisting nonprofits in organizing their finances, and/or illustrating to people how to give well, I will use my skillsets to support people in this way. I am thankful for all that I have learned through TCU’s Nature of Giving course and I am excited to apply these principles as I give throughout my life.

In order to fulfill my obligation to participate in the betterment of the world around me, I commit to utilize my time, talent, and earnings in the pursuit of alleviating basic inequalities — such as food security, educational differences, and world health initiatives. To accomplish this, I commit to distributing 10% of my net wages to organizations I thoroughly evaluate on an annual basis. Additionally, I will invest an additional 2.5% a year in stock purchases, passing along any dividends to my selected organizations. I will also pursue a partnership with a charity, where I devote both my time and any relevant skills to their work.

I’m determined to use the opportunities & resources I’ve been given for good. Faith is a driving factor in my life, and God makes it known that to whom much has been given, much will be required (Luke 12:48). Everything I have is a gift from God, and I want to glorify Him in all things. Practically, I will give 10% of my gross income to the church I call home. I also want to give from the heart, engaging in spontaneous giving. I will set aside an additional 5% of my net income to fund a separate generosity account from which I will serve those in my community. I always want to be a cheerful giver, giving with joy, knowing God more than provides for me daily. Additionally, I believe it is incredibly important to not only give financially, but also to partner alongside the people and organizations I give to with my time and talent. Every month, I will set aside at least 2 hours to collaborate and engage with the organizations I am partnered with – making it a point to serve their needs – not my own. I believe each of us is planted in our communities for a reason. I want to be actively engaged in my local community, partnering with nonprofits and engaging with the people around me. As I move to a new state, I will create relationships with new, local non-profits, annually evaluating these partnerships and my giving goal, to remain diligent and led from the heart. Above all, I want to live with a posture of generously daily.

I pledge to give a minimum of 5% of my yearly income to charitable nonprofits that are aligned with my personal set of values. Issues such as health, education, and basic needs are important to me, and have many worthy nonprofits targeted to improving the situations of many. Additionally, I plan to donate my time through volunteering a minimum of 20 hours a year. I will look over my giving portfolio two times a year to assess my contributions and make any changes needed. TCU’s course on giving and philanthropy has inspired me to develop a long-lasting relationship with a nonprofit in whatever community I end up living in after graduation.

I pledge to give a minimum of 5% of my income once I begin to receive an official paycheck. I will donate to nonprofits that work to bridge the gap of inequality, and support underfunded and under resourced communities. While my perspective on which organizations do this best will likely change over the years, I will do the work to ensure my donations are being used efficiently, effectively, and ethically. In my personal and professional life I also pledge to give my time and skills to children who have experienced trauma. I believe giving can take many shapes, and when your life reflects gratitude and generosity, giving means much more than a once a month donation.