Giving Pledge Commitment:

 

Many years ago I decided to dedicate the majority of my fortune to philanthropy. I believe that those fortunate to achieve great wealth should put it to work for the good of humanity. In spotlighting this responsibility, The Giving Pledge reminds us all that our net worth is ultimately defined not by dollars but rather by how well we serve others. Ultimately, my greatest satisfaction comes from working to make our world a better place.

In recent years, I have felt a growing sense of urgency about the mounting challenges confronting our planet. Through my giving, I seek to tackle climate change, prevent dangerous epidemics, save Earth’s most iconic species from extinction and restore our oceans to health, before it’s too late.

I am striving to advance the frontiers of science in ways that can help researchers prevent brain cancers, dementia and other diseases, through the Allen Institutes for Brain Science and Cell Science. I also support the cultural institutions, arts organizations and social service nonprofits that do so much to strengthen our world, particularly in my hometown of Seattle and throughout the Pacific Northwest. Our community is so much richer for their efforts, and I am grateful I can contribute to their initiatives.

My philanthropic strategy is also informed by my enduring belief in the power of new ideas. By dedicating resources that can help some of the world’s most creative thinkers accelerate discovery, I hope to serve as a catalyst for progress—in large part by encouraging closer collaboration and challenging conventional thinking. When smart people work together with vision and determination, there is little we can’t accomplish.