Why I Donate to Khan Academy

Education is an enabler of social mobility. It increases the chances of getting a good job, a higher salary, and stronger economic participation. This force has the potential to reduce inequality in our societies.

I am not saying it is enough to change inequality around the world, but I strongly believe that education is the most powerful force driving prosperity and systemic change.

This is something I have experienced close to home, the Netherlands. My home country’s education system is not perfect but does provide high-quality low-cost education for all. Coming from a family where I was the first to go to university, I have experienced the power of education myself.

There are counter forces to social mobility: racism and corruption being particularly harmful. But education can be the driving force that combats these negative forces as well.

Nelson Mandela understood this when he doubled down on studying a wide variety of topics while he was imprisoned on Robben Island, South Africa. He became the country’s first black head of state in 1994.

Shaka Senghor understood this when imprisoned for nearly 20 years, 7 years of which he spent in solitary confinement. He used knowledge to reshape prison culture. He now serves as a director’s fellow of the MIT Media Lab and is a thought-leader on criminal justice reform.

Access to high-quality education should, therefore, be one of the key strategic objectives of any government and society.

This is why, 5 years ago, I started donating to Khan Academy.

Khan Academy is an American non-profit educational organization created in 2008 by Salman Khan, with a mission to provide free, world‑class education for anyone, anywhere. Resources are being translated to 36 languages, creating a truly global classroom.

I encourage you to do the same or to find other organizations that strive towards similar goals.

Even if you don’t have much cash to spare (which I understand given the economic uncertainty we are experiencing), you can help.

Simply make it a habit to order your stuff via smile.amazon.com instead of the regular site (assuming you’re using Amazon already), and select your charitable organization of choice. Amazon will donate 0.5% of your purchase, and it doesn’t cost you any extra.

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