June 1, 2016

We are humbled to find ourselves at a young age in an extremely privileged place. We recognize that the world has many real challenges and that we are in a unique position to have significant positive impact. We feel a responsibility to share our good fortune, and we pledge to dedicate the majority of our wealth over time to philanthropy. As we begin to think more about this, two themes stand out to us: the potential of children and of transformative ideas.

Children have so much potential and their trajectory is often established at quite a young age. Most of the capabilities that have helped us to succeed took root early in our lives. Nathan’s parents taught him to question and understand how things work, and they helped him to be confident and motivated. From those lessons arose a passion for computers — he started writing computer programs at the age of 12 and by the age of 14 this hobby became a business that further fueled his confidence and ambition.

Elizabeth’s parents taught her to know herself, to look outward to the needs of the world and to use her strengths to better that world. She benefited from mentorship of great educators at an all-women’s Catholic secondary school rooted in intellectual rigor and social awareness. This paved the way for her life’s work as a pediatrician, caring for healthy and fragile newborns. Every day when Elizabeth is in the hospital she sees how attentive care and positive interventions can make a profound difference in a child’s life.

More recently the success of Airbnb illustrates and reminds both of us about the power of thinking differently and of a supportive ecosystem. Airbnb went from an off-the-wall idea to a transformative company as a result of assembling the right team — cofounders, mentors, investors, and later employees — and now we want to help others pursue unconventional ideas that can make the world a better place. Our areas of interest are quite broad and include education, scientific research, medicine, space exploration, conservation of the planet and more effective governance.

Our philanthropic approach will be reflected through the lens of our own passions and experiences but rooted in analysis to ensure we are choosing wisely. We see our young age and long time horizon as beneficial aspects to our future giving. As we become more involved in philanthropy we hope to have a broader awareness of the needs around us and learn from those who have given and are giving around us. We are looking forward to the mentorship and community that comes with committing to The Giving Pledge.