It would probably be worthwhile to encourage legally binding versions of the Giving Pledge in general.
Donations before death are optimal, but it’s particularly easy to ensure that the pledge is met at that stage with a will which can be updated at the time of signing it. (I presume most of the 64% did have a will, but chose to leave their fortune to others. I guess it’s possible some fortunes inherited by widow[er]s will be donated to pledged causes in the fullness of time).
I don’t think this should replace the Giving Pledge; some people’s intentions and financial situations are too complex to write into a binding contract, but such pledges should be taken more seriously (even though in practice they are still likely to be reversible).
It would probably be worthwhile to encourage legally binding versions of the Giving Pledge in general.
Donations before death are optimal, but it’s particularly easy to ensure that the pledge is met at that stage with a will which can be updated at the time of signing it. (I presume most of the 64% did have a will, but chose to leave their fortune to others. I guess it’s possible some fortunes inherited by widow[er]s will be donated to pledged causes in the fullness of time).
I don’t think this should replace the Giving Pledge; some people’s intentions and financial situations are too complex to write into a binding contract, but such pledges should be taken more seriously (even though in practice they are still likely to be reversible).