One of my greatest fears about growing up is losing my idealism. I believe strongly in the power of individuals and teams to effect meaningful change in the world. I pledge to search for ways to make the world a better place, and in Granddad’s words, to “dedicate myself to helping poor people eat better and laugh more.” Every month, I will donate time, skills and/or money to causes that support this goal. At this point, I do not know what my life will be like and which types of donation will be most effective and meaningful. In any case, I pledge to whole-heartedly search for ways to help others on a regular basis.

I pledge to give substantially as I grow older. I will try to give 5-10% of my income away annually to and to engage in substantial volunteering. Depending on my eventual career path, that may include pro bono work. I plan to volunteer regularly and to join at least nonprofit board and try to volunteer in a leadership position. Later in life, I plan to transition my career to public service, ideally using connections I have made in my career to create a substantial impact in an area I have not yet chosen.This may be through political advocacy or though the creation of a foundation.

I pledge to give 10% of my monthly income to philanthropy after I start getting paid. 5% will go to regular donations to provide long-term support for organizations I know well and feel promising, and the other 5% will go to innovative projects I happen to discover or urgent cases (like disease or natural disaster). Besides, as my career aspiration, I would like to work in my home country, China and start my own non-profit (and hopefully non-profit incubators, as a mid-term goal). The current regulation of NGO in China still faces with a myriad of challenges but that is also precisely what makes me thrilled to contribute to it. I am determined to work to help ease human suffering, develop civil society and encourage innovative solutions to solve social problems.

I pledge to give 10% of my income while I am employed until I reach the upper-middle class/upper class income bracket (which I will dedicated 25% of my income) to charity. In circumstances in which I am unemployed, I pledge to dedicate my time in volunteer hours to a nonprofit organization.

I believe that all we have is with us only to be shared: I aim to make a regular practice of giving throughout my adulthood, both as I do now in meaningful gifts to friends, as well as concerted monetary gifts based in an analysis of what can be impactful, transformative, and helpful. I will give a minimum of 5% of my income when I have little, and more regularly (I hope) 10-20% of my income to non-profits, charities, philanthropies, and other organizations that improve people’s condition, give relief, or empower them. Beyond that, I aim to volunteer my time and skills regularly and thoughtfully, God willing.