There’s an ethically popular quote that goes “When you’ve been blessed you be a blessing to others” and that’s exactly what Mackenzie Bezos, who recently received over $35 billion in her divorce from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos plans to do. Bezos has signed a giving pledge committing to donate more than half of her earnings to charity and philanthropic causes. In a letter announcing her pledge, Bezos adds reasoning behind her generous act “I have no doubt that tremendous value comes when people act quickly on the impulse to give. No drive has more positive ripple effects than the desire to be of service. There are lots of resources each of us can pull from our safes to share with others — time, attention, knowledge, patience, creativity, talent, effort, humor, compassion. And sure enough, something greater rises up every time we give” Although Bezos doesn’t specify exactly how she will distribute the $18 billion her philanthropy acts in the past focused on transitional housing for homeless families, marriage equality and funding research into cancer and Alzheimer’s disease.
The giving pledge was started back in 2010 by Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett. Those who sign the giving pledge make a moral commitment to give more than half of their wealth to philanthropy or charitable causes, according to the giving pledge’s Website. Since the start of the organization it has been praised for giving public inspiration for others who have the urge to give back but it also has been receiving criticism for lacking a legal enforcement tool. Participants are not required to name the organizations or causes they plan to support with their fortunes and -which makes it hard to define when their pledge are indeed being fulfilled or if their donation is going to personal charities or family trust funds . None the less Bezos assures she will give much thought into where she donates her wealth “My approach to philanthropy will continue to be thoughtful. It will take time and effort and care. But I won’t wait. And I will keep at it until the safe is empty.