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

Washington University In St. Louis

Spring
2023

I pledge to give 10% of my income to 501(c)(3)s that support initiatives I value like the Black community and arts. I hope that no matter where I move after graduation that my commitment to the development of my hometown of Saint Louis, Missouri does not end. Additionally, I will continue to volunteer in the community in which I live, especially using some of my talents for pro-bono services.

Anonymous

Washington University In St. Louis

Spring
2023

I pledge to donate a portion of my income on a bi-monthly basis, in order to build the habit of giving and also allow flexibility to donate based on causes that are important to me and my service goals at the time and reflective of the income that I am working to earn.

Anonymous

Washington University In St. Louis

Spring
2023

Beginning immediately, I would like to give money at least once a year to a nonprofit organization working to improve the quality of life for local marginalized groups. Upon graduation, I will re-evaluate my philanthropy goal. I will also commit to re-evaluating every five years afterwards to avoid the potential “”lifestyle creep”” that comes with increasing income.

Anonymous

Vanderbilt University

Spring
2023

My goal is that I will continue to live life with the goal of helping all beings on the earth in the present moment with whatever resources I have, energy, time, and money. I believe we are all one, sharing the same suffering, so there is no way to avoid the need to help yourself and others simultaneously. I intend to serve more than I give monetarily because in order to get money, someone else has to lose it, so I view it as the most efficient to give the energy I have without the intermediary of money. To multiply my effects I can also use my time and energy to influence others to consider if their true priorities are to make money for their own personal wealth, or how giving might actually be more fulfilling and make their lives better in infinite ways.

Anonymous

Vanderbilt University

Spring
2023

I will ensure that I am continuously supporting and uplifting women, LGBTQ+, and other marginalized groups through direct support to populations. I will aim to volunteer once a week to once every other week and donate a part of my salary to these causes. I will frame my career through social justice in order to target populations such as those experiencing mental health issues or homelessness. The giving I engage in will be community-centered and I will work to dismantle stereotypes about imperfection” from the invisible people in our society.”

Anonymous

Vanderbilt University

Spring
2023

I pledge to donate as much of my annual income as I am financially able to. This goal is intentionally a bit broad since a 5% guarantee can be a lot more difficult to achieve when living paycheck to paycheck than when making millions. I plan on working at nonprofit organizations where the latter is not a possibility, and I only intend on striving to make enough to live comfortably, not be rich. As my salary grows, I pledge to grow the percentage I donate in tandem.