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

Vanderbilt University

Spring
2023

100 a year once work actually starts

Anonymous

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Spring
2023

When I am financially stable enough to donate, I pledge to give 10% of my income to various causes that support youth sports programs. I also will volunteer every weekend at my local food pantry when they give food to those that are in need. This will help lead me to a tendency to give back to my community in more ways than one, which will help the people around me to have a better chance to succeed despite certain obstacles.

Anonymous

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Spring
2023

Upon graduation, I aim to donate $100 monthly to an organization that connects with me the most. This may change on a monthly basis, but these organizations will be youth- and education related. I also want to be a regular volunteer at different nonprofits. Ultimately, my goal is to build a healthy habit of giving to ensure I am investing in the future of current youth.Â

Anonymous

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Spring
2023

My goal is to give my time, treasure, and talents to organizations that advocate for mental health and substance use treatment as an alternative to incarceration. I plan to volunteer on the Journey Mental Health Public Policy and Advocacy committee for the remainder of this year. In 2024 I will volunteer on the Board of Directors of a nonprofit whose mission aligns with my passion for justice reform. My goal is to continue to serve on at least one Board for the next 10 years.

Anonymous

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Spring
2023

My goal is to donate 10% of my salary each year to NAMI and planned parenthood. I also plan to volunteer twice a month at local food pantries or other social service organizations that I support in my future community.

Anonymous

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Spring
2023

My goal is to continue giving back to my community year after year. I will not only give back through volunteering but also eventually give back a percentage of my income. This will start as 5% of my income and increase as time passes. There is no specific organization I am looking to support, and I will determine what organization or organizations will receive my donations on a year-to-year basis. This will allow me the opportunity to use my personal experiences to help determine what organizations match my goals for the year.