Each month I give 5% of my earnings (income not profit) to causes that benefit others and improve our long-term future.

I select charities recommended by organisations such as Effective Altruism and Give Well to maximise my donations and turn them into real action.

This page exists not to boast, but to hold myself accountable. It’s an implementation intention.

Why?

I’ve been incredibly fortunate. I was born in a safe and prosperous country, raised by loving parents, siblings, extended family and friends. I’ve had everything I’ve needed, and then some.

On Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs my physiological (food, water, shelter), safety (health, physical, financial) and love (family, friendships, belonging) needs are being met. I’m now working within the realms of the fourth and fifth needs: esteem (the drive to achieve, live meaningfully, be recognised) and self-actualisation (“to become everything that one is capable of becoming”).

I feel it’s now time to turn more of my attention and energy to others and to improving our long-term future. This is one way I can help.

Yancey Strickler’s book This Could Be Our Future has had a big influence on me in this regard. In it, Strickler introduces a concept called Bentoism which has helped me realise I should be spending far more time thinking in the top two quadrants of his Bento box vs the bottom two.

Richard Strudwick’s 4% page and Yancey Strickler’s This Could Be Our Future were the inspiration for this page and catalyst for action, respectively. Thank you.

If you have any comments, suggestions, or just want to say hello, please get in contact.