Philanthropy is a set of choices and our choices have been informed by our life experiences.

We have chosen the path of “giving while living.” Rather than waiting, we are giving now. The challenges in the world are too real today; and we want to be part of the solution.

We have chosen to focus on the outcomes that research says really matter – and to work on relentlessly driving measurable and meaningful improvement in those outcomes.

We have chosen to learn – from the thoughtful and experienced philanthropists that Bill, Melinda, and Warren have assembled in the Giving Pledge; from experts in our chosen fields; from the beneficiaries we aim to serve; and from the grantees we are privileged to work with.

And we have chosen to focus on some of the greatest challenges of our time. The fact that low-income children get to Kindergarten already a year behind through no fault of their own. The fact that our nation’s public schools widen the achievement gap for these same children. The outsized damage that methane and greenhouse gas accelerants do to our climate. And diseases whose causes and cures are not well understood.

These challenges are too great and complex to face alone. Through the Giving Pledge, we have learned to be smarter about how we spend our finite resources. And we’ve experienced the impact of collaborative philanthropy – working together with other donors to swarm giant problems.

We are starting to see signs of real progress – thanks to the tireless work and wisdom of social change leaders, experts, and philanthropists that have been working on these problems for a lot longer than we have.

For examples of real progress, visit valhalla.org.