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

Baylor University

Spring
2023

I pledge to donate 10% of my annual salary to local and international philanthropies which meet human needs by following models of community empowerment. Beyond giving, I plan on becoming involved within local philanthropies through volunteer work and nonprofit leadership as need arises.

Anonymous

Abilene Christian University

Spring
2023

My giving goal for my lifetime is to donate a total of $100,000 towards organizations that support education and empowerment for underprivileged communities.

Anonymous

Abilene Christian University

Spring
2023

My giving goal begins with giving time in my final semester at ACU to get involved with the Palm House Abilene and serve alongside them. Upon graduation and obtaining a steady job I would like to transition from giving not only time out of my week but also 10% of my income to local non profit organizations around Abilene and/or the Fort Worth area. Throughout this semester I have learned that money donations are not the only way to serve well in the community. Graciously giving your time and energy is just as special. I believe that through this I will also learn how to serve the Lord better, which has great meaning in my life.

Anonymous

Abilene Christian University

Spring
2023

I plan to give 10% of my income monthly to sponsoring missionaries, non-profits, and any extra to people in my local community who are in need. As my income may increase the longer I work, I hope to increase the amount I give after figuring out the base in which I need to live off of. I eventually hope to volunteer my time and talents at non-profit organizations across the globe as well as researching and educating myself on the inequities of people affected in regions I donate to.

Anonymous

Abilene Christian University

Spring
2023

Following graduation, I intend to donate 10% of my salary. 5% to a non-profit of my choice that supports Christian values, and the remaining 5% to whichever church becomes my home church. I plan to spend one day a month volunteering my time and services to a non-profit organization. I also would like to continue to be educated about philanthropy in order to hopefully someday have the opportunity to sit on a board for my local community.

Anna Coulter

Baylor University

Spring
2023

I pledge to donate 10 percent of my income very year to various charitable organizations that are proven to be equitable, efficient, and sustainable. I also pledge to donate my time at least once a week to volunteer with a local group that proves to help the people it seeks out to aid. The amount of money would be automatically deducted from my paycheck so that I would not see it at all, meaning that it would never be money that I would be expecting in order to take away the temptation to use it for other personal needs. Both time and money are valuable resources that are needed in the philanthropic world, and no matter the amount, I believe that they can make a difference.