It all starts with a pledge. That’s the simple commitment at the heart of Founders Pledge today – a promise by entrepreneurs to dedicate a portion of their success to tackling the world's most pressing problems. This core idea actually stems from a scribble in my notebook just over ten years ago: what if company founders gave away a share of their stock to the most impactful nonprofit organizations?

That initial spark developed into the audacious organization Founders Pledge is today. Our driving purpose remains to empower entrepreneurs to realize their vision for a better world by guiding them toward the best ways to give. We bridge the gap for entrepreneurs who want to create meaningful change but often lack the time or expertise to do so effectively. As this report shows, we’ve never been more impactful than we are right now.

Looking back, I am profoundly moved by what our community and my team have achieved together. Fueled by over 2,500 pledges, our members have consistently demonstrated that business can, and should, be a force for good. From pledging nearly $11 billion to donating $1.4 billion into the charitable sector, this community—now over 2,000 members strong (not even counting partners and families!) across 47 countries—has supported over 1,772 charities and projects along the way.

Behind these headline figures lies tangible, real-world change, all stemming from our community's commitment to do good. They signify lives saved, healthier children, futures brightened by education, families lifted out of extreme poverty, and vital work to build a more resilient world by tackling climate change and global catastrophic risks. Our nearly 900 grants have supported cutting-edge research, fueled innovative solutions, and helped scale the most effective interventions.

Over the past decade, we've evolved significantly. In many ways, we look a lot like a multi-family office, focused entirely on philanthropy. We've established our high-leverage pooled Funds, developed bespoke advising services, built a vibrant global community connected through inspiring events, and created streamlined end-to-end grantmaking infrastructure.

Given that we charge no membership fees, we’re only able to do this work thanks to the generous donors who believe in our mission as an impact multiplier. Our efficiency has only increased over time; to date, for every $1 invested in our operations, $35 was donated to the charitable sector; and in 2024 alone, $16 was granted to our high-impact opportunities for every $1 supporting our operations. That's leverage in action, ensuring every dollar achieves maximum positive change.

As we look ahead, our ambition remains unwavering. We’re aiming to 10x our impact over the next decade, continuing to refine our approach and tackle pressing problems in a world that sorely needs our collective commitment.

Thank you for being on this transformative journey with us.

David Goldberg
Co-Founder & CEO of Founders Pledge