I know how lucky my family and I have been and there are so many less fortunate in the world. I can’t imagine going through life without trying to make the world a better place than we found it. It doesn’t feel like something optional to me, but an obligation and one some of us should shoulder more than others.

When I was five, I remember giving birthday and chore money to the homeless. Seeing those who are living on the street was the most striking example of people who are struggling. As I got older, I realized how life can reward the few and so many are left behind. This brought my attention to a number of causes like the Make-A-Wish Foundation and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

When the opportunity presented itself to lead the world’s first all-civilian mission to space, I realized the world must benefit from the mission in an extraordinary way. For as important as it is to make progress for tomorrow, we can’t ignore the problems on earth today. If we can explore and one day inhabit the worlds beyond ours, we better tackle childhood cancer along the way.

Throughout history, humanity has advanced and managed great improvements in healthcare, education and technology. We need to continue to move forward in each of these areas, but we must go faster for the benefit of all. Access to information and education will be the foundation to tackle the challenges facing us, including climate change, social injustice, healthcare and much more.

While I remain committed to supporting causes that help children and families in incredibly difficult situations, I will also find ways to support and expose more children to STEM and other intellectually stimulating experiences to inspire the pioneers of tomorrow.

With enormous gratitude, my family and I pledge to donate the majority of our wealth, to making life better for those in need, and help build the foundation for the human advances of tomorrow.

– Jared, Monica, Mila and Liv Isaacman