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!

Ryan Watts

Vanderbilt University

Spring
2022

I pledge to be an active member in my community and volunteer my time (when I do not have excess money). I also pledge to be concious of my environmental impact; I will aim to reduce my usage of single-use plastic, recycle, use renewable energy sources and cut down on my single-occupancy vehicle usage in order to do my part in protecting the environment.

Ryan Gehm

Texas A&M University

Spring
2022

I want to give 5% of my salary away to year to organizations that I have identified as effectively serving the community. I commit to playing an active role in the community around me to best give back the way many have given to me.

Robin Gee

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Spring
2022

I pledge to donate 5% of my yearly income, partly to local organizations who support prison abolition or transgender/gender-diverse youth, and partly to organizations dedicated international humanitarian aid and ending global poverty.I also pledge to volunteer a minimum of 5 hours per month to supporting youth in my community, either through tutoring and mentorship programs, or volunteering for a group such as 4-H.

Robin Gee

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Spring
2022

After I graduate and start my career, I pledge to donate 5% of my yearly income to organizations that reflect my values. I’d like to designate about 3% partly to organization(s) which supports transgender/gender-diverse youth (preferably local to wherever I end up), and partly to prison abolitionist groups such as Black and Pink. About 2% I would like to designate to organizations dedicated international humanitarian aid and global poverty (for example, Lutheran World Relief). I also think it’s important to donate my time and labor as well, and to that end I pledge to volunteer a minimum of 5 hours per month to supporting youth in my community, either through tutoring and mentorship programs, or volunteering for a group such as 4-H.

Robin Eby

University of Texas

Spring
2022

My giving goal is to give 10% of my income to organizations that are committed to effective and responsible philanthropy. Giving to community development initiatives that encourage ownership and long-term community health is important to me. Most importantly I want to serve and give more than just monetarily, because relationships matter so much in successful philanthropy.

Robby Gay

Texas Christian University

Spring
2022

I pledge to give 10% of all my earned income by directing it to a separate charitable giving account and making donations on a regular basis (regularity of donations depends on the amount I want to give). If I get to a savings/income level where I could give more and continue to support myself and my family in a reasonable way, I will increase the giving percentage accordingly (10% of $100,000 and 10% of $10,000,000 are not equivalent in their sacrificial nature, or their ability to support living expenses).When giving, I will do so in a discerning, thoughtful manner, as taught in TCU’s Giving and Philanthropy class. I will give to the areas that I am most passionate about, making sure that my gifts are as financially efficient as possible. More important than the amount and the process, I will cultivate a lifestyle of giving. Not only giving money, but time and talents as well. I will encourage others to do so and create a strong example for what thoughtful, impactful giving looks like.