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 Texas

Spring
2023

After I get my degree and a certified job, I plan on giving 10,000 to a charity in the local Austin area even if I dont live there anymore

Anonymous

University of Texas

Spring
2023

After graduation, I want to give at least 10% of my income to nonprofit organizations each year. I hope to also volunteer by directly serving others at least twice a year.

Anonymous

University of Texas

Spring
2023

50 dollars per month to various charities every month.

Anonymous

University of Texas - McCombs

Spring
2023

I pledge to give 3% of my salary annually after beginning my first career job when completing school. In the years after that, I will raise the % I am giving of my salary to a minimum of 10%, which could be higher, depending on the job I have and if I have the means after supporting my family.

Anonymous

University of Texas - McCombs

Spring
2023

I intend to donate 10% of my income annually to local nonprofits. I plan to research organizations in the city I move to next so that I can learn as much as possible about orgs doing work that aligns with my values and determine how I can make the most impact. I would also like to volunteer with the organizations I donate to as regularly as possible so that I can be more fully engaged with my local community.

Anonymous

University of Texas - McCombs

Spring
2023

1. Contribute 5% of my income to giving areas across LGBTQ+ Community Issues (40%), Personal Networks (40%), and Human Services (20%), re-evaluating my giving portfolio every year to align with my interests, values, and learnings 2. Open a donor-advised fund and eventually contribute enough to it to get an itemized tax deduction 3. Donate maximum amount of corporate employee matching to pass along as much “”free money”” as possible to charitable organizations 4. Deeply invest time and money in the specific charities I care the most about for potential future opportunities for board seats and leadership