What is a Giving Goal?

Often, the idealism of youth is lost as one achieves success and acquires material possessions later in life. What was originally considered to be “enough” or even “beyond my wildest dreams” can become just another milestone on one’s quest…

Capturing your current vision of how you wish to give of yourself and your resources in the future could help you plan to give more meaningfully. Revisiting this vision in ten or twenty years could provide a reminder of the ideals of your youth that may shape or re-shape your future actions.

If you have already posted your Giving Goal and would like to update your email for future reminders, please contact [email protected]

Step 1

Have a healthy and vigorous dialogue in your class on the general idea of having a personal Giving Goal as a college student.

Step 2

Set a Giving Goal concerning your future giving plans.

Step 3

Share a brief statement of your Giving Goals on The Philanthropy Lab’s portal as a way to inspire others to do the same. You may post anonymously to the public if you wish.

Step 4

Share your permanent email address and phone number with The Philanthropy Lab, for the sole purpose of the reminder mechanism, so we can remind you of your goal in 5 year increments for 20 years into the future.

Alumni Reflections

"What a sweet reminder of this pledge! I've definitely given and volunteered in the last 6yrs. It's been a joy to continue the journey of generosity since graduating from undergrad. I'm back in grad school and I am looking forward to finishing my MSW. There will be new ways I give back to the community!"

"Thank you so much for this valuable reminder of my Giving Pledge. I'm proud to say I've dedicated several hours of volunteer time & services to Arts Education non-profits and will continue to live out this pledge"

“Thanks for reaching out––I'm actively still volunteering at two non-profits now in NYC (one free food service called "Wellfare" and a neighborhood homeless shelter)”

"Thank you for your email! The Philanthropy Lab was a life changing experience for me. I ended up joining the board of Malawi Children's Village to run the women empowerment program, which is what the Philanthropy Lab grant was for. In August, I am going to Malawi to see the project in action!"

"I was so happy to see this email pop into my inbox, it feels like a lifetime ago I was in this course. I appreciate all that I learned in this class and have taken its messages with me through these past 5 years. I do plan on maintaining the promise I made in this class"

"Thanks for this reminder. I actually still have a handwritten version of that note on the magnet board in my home office."

Search for Giving Goals

Over 4,200+ course participants have written giving goals in a demonstration of leadership!

Anonymous

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Fall
2023

I pledge to donate $50 a month to various charities once I start earning a salary (2024)

Anonymous

University of Arkansas

Fall
2023

I wish to give back the equivalent of what I feel was gifted to me throughout the course of my life. I have an opportunity to go to college and an opportunity to feel safe, and I would like to help other people reach this goal as well.

Anonymous

New York University

Fall
2023

My life has been informed by reception, and because of this, I have enjoyed a life furnished with opportunity. I don’t doubt for a second that the constellation of my successes are all linked in one way or another to the social capital I have been bequeathed. I have enjoyed a comfortable life, and as I age, I realize the growing necessity to share the fruits of excess that I have been handed, to use the generational labor and luck I have inherited to materially improve the lives of those around me who have not been graced by fortune in the same ways that I have been. I understand that the accumulation of my social capital has been linked to various factors outside of my control, such as the color of my skin, my gender identity, and my socioeconomic status. I see it not only as my giving goal but also as my moral obligation to give back to communities that have been denied these opportunities as a form of reparations—to redistribute my surplus to those who have not been permitted the same advantages.

Anonymous

New York University

Fall
2023

My giving goal is to turn my passion into my purpose by combining my talents in music with personal experiences, observations, and education in the mental health, stroke rehabilitation, and substance abuse spaces to ultimately reach my self actualization. Eventually I want to expand my passion project “Music4M.I.R.A.C.L.E.” in numerous communities globally and raise funds from companies, organizations, individuals of all fields.

Anonymous

New York University

Fall
2023

I want in the future to continue to engage in social difference and to engage in conversations allowing to share my own journey with this project to inspire others. My am is to be an activist and to one day be able to give back and make large donations.

Anonymous

New York University

Fall
2023

As a beneficiary of generous philanthropic groups and individuals who have facilitated my education, living, and work, I pledge my commitment to paying it forward twofold. Whether through mentoring, financial support, or contributing to the organizational or initiative-based structure, progress, and success, I sincerely promise my engagement, persistent effort, and support to the best of my abilities—leveraging my network, knowledge, and financial resources. This dedication is especially meant as an everlasting expression of gratitude and recognition to those who have supported my journey to today and will continue to shape its future. With that said, it is now my turn to double the impact by passing it forward.