This is not the “Gates – Buffett Giving Pledge” — which invites “the wealthiest individuals and families in America to commit the majority of their wealth to philanthropy.” That generous effort is off to a solid start with almost 70 individuals and couples signed up. Not yet as wealthy as Gates or Buffett? Serious about your giving? The Serious Givers Pledge is the giving pledge for the rest of us.
The rest of us are a charitable giving force to be reckoned with
- 65% or more of U.S. households donate to charity.
- Individuals and families across the U.S. gave $250 billion to charity in 2010.
In terms of charitable giving, the generosity of America’s most wealthy is the tip of the charitable giving iceberg. The rest of us — we’re the iceberg!
The giving pledge for the rest of us
When you take the Serious Givers Pledge you promise to focus your giving, investigate before you give, and build stronger relationships with the charities you support. When you live up to the Pledge, you give wisely, seriously, and with purpose.
Serious givers boost the work of strong charities and encourage other charities to grow stronger. Serious givers act to make the world a better place. Together, serious givers can make $250 billion a year an even greater force for good. Together, serious givers can change the world!
By the way,
- Taking the Serious Givers Pledge doesn’t commit you to donate any portion of your wealth. Keep giving at the level that works for you.
- You’re invited to take the Pledge even if you’ve already signed up for the Gates – Buffett Giving Pledge.
More than a dozen reasons for taking the Pledge.
The Serious Givers Pledge
___ I pledge that I will:
- Identify issues and causes I specially care about – and focus my giving there.
- Screen charities before I give to them.
- Develop stronger relationships with the charities I support.
The Super Pledge
___ I take the Serious Givers Pledge and also pledge that I will:
- Maintain a recent giving inventory for my charitable giving.
- Make and pay attention to an annual budget for my charitable giving.
- Examine charitable giving in my estate planning.
- Discuss charitable giving with my close family.
| My Initials | Today’s Date | ||
| My Initials | Today’s Date |
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For your records: Print this page, place a check mark on each pledge you are making, and enter your initials and the date. Couples may do separate or combined pledges. The Serious Givers Pledge is also available in PDF format.
Resources: Find or research a charity | Not all charities are equal | Selecting causes and issues | Giving inventory form | Charities, nonprofits, taxes | Discuss charity issues | Tips & news.
Data sources: Center on Philanthropy Panel Study 2007, The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University; Giving USA 2010: The Annual Report on Philanthropy for the year 2009, from the Giving USA Foundation™; The 2009 Slate 60, www.slate.com.
