Introduction
A year after issuing a public invitation for Americans to join a pledge to Share the American Dream, the initiative has evolved from a simple call to action into a tangible movement. The pledge originally outlined two core commitments: first, to support organizations effectively helping those in need across the United States right now; and second, to contribute public dedications of time or funds within the next five years toward longer-term efforts that keep the American Dream fair and attainable for future generations.
The Guiding Philosophy
At the heart of this effort lies a powerful quote from Mary Gates: "From those to whom much is given, much is expected." These ten words have resonated deeply with the family leading the initiative, shaping their philanthropic approach. As partner Betsy explained, "We have everything we need. How do we make sure everybody has what they need?" This question—defining what "enough" means when basic necessities like housing, food, and healthcare are secured—has driven the family's giving since 2021.
Short-Term Action: Immediate Donations
Beyond an initial $1 million to eight nonprofit charities announced in January 2025, the urgency of needs prompted an additional $13 million in donations within just a few months, bringing the total to $21 million. These funds were distributed across a diverse range of organizations addressing immediate crises:
- Team Rubicon — $1M
- Children’s Hunger Fund — $1M
- PEN America — $1M
- The Trevor Project — $1M
- NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund — $1M + $100k
- First Generation Investors — $1M
- Global Refuge — $1M
- Planned Parenthood — $1M
- VoteVets — $2M
- Mastodon — $1.5M
- 404 Media — $1.1M
- Ryan Broderick / Garbage Day — $1M
- Internet Archive — $1M
- Common Crawl Foundation — $1M
- Wikipedia / Wikimedia Foundation — $1M
- Internet Security Research Group — $1M
- DNA Lounge — $1M
- Murena — $500k
- Sharewell — $300k
- Precious Plastic — $100k
- Economic Security Project — $100k
- Rural Democracy Initiative — $100k
- Civic Nation — $100k
- Sojourn Project — $750k
- Alameda Food Bank — $150k
- Urban Compassion Project — $75k
Beyond Emergency Response
While these reactive donations address immediate fires, the initiative recognizes that a purely short-term approach is unsustainable. As one family member put it, "You can’t take a completely short-term view and fight each individual fire reactively. You’ll never stop firefighting." The next step is to invest in fire abatement—long-term structural solutions that prevent crises from emerging in the first place.
The Long-Term Vision
The pledge’s second commitment—public dedications of time or funds over five years—points toward systemic change. This longer horizon aligns with the family’s belief that everyone deserves a comfortable place to live, enough to eat, and access to healthcare. The upcoming Rural Guaranteed Minimum Income Initiative embodies this shift, aiming to provide a stable economic floor for communities that have been historically overlooked.
How to Join the Movement
The invitation remains open for all Americans to take the pledge. Support organizations that are effectively helping those most in need right now, and within the next five years, contribute public dedications of time or funds toward longer-term efforts. By combining immediate relief with sustained investment, the American Dream can remain fair and attainable for all our children.
Stay gold, America.