For the rest of my life, I pledge to only donate to organizations and movements that take a dual, intersectional approach to helping: they must focus on both helping in the immediate (such as feeding people in poverty today) while also working towards a larger goal of dismantling and combatting the systems that create that poverty in the first place. I pledge to donate at least 5% of my income (and some of my time) to sustainable organizations as soon as I have a job outside of college.
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
Search for Giving Goals
Over 4,200+ course participants have written giving goals in a demonstration of leadership!
Anonymous
- Spring
- 2022
When I am of a stable financial status, I pledge to give 10% of my income to trustworthy local organizations and non-profits.
Anonymous
- Spring
- 2022
I want to give 5% or more of my income for the rest of my life
Anonymous
- Spring
- 2022
I pledge to take a fixed amount of my income and donate it to local charities every year and choose a charity to volunteer with at least once a week after I graduate college and have a stable income.
Anonymous
- Spring
- 2022
I pledge to give my entire career to public service, preferably through advocating for and creating policy change. I also pledge to give 10% of my salary, beginning with my first paycheck.
Anonymous
- Spring
- 2022
I pledge to give at least 5% of my total income, as well as my career. I hope to work in the nonprofit industry my whole life.