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

Emory University

Spring
2021

My Giving Goal is to incrementally increase my involvement and financial contributions to several major organizations I deeply care about as I continue to advance my career and impact in my local community and the world. I will start with giving 5% of my income and increase it each year that follows with specific emphasis on organizations that tackle income inequality, climate change, and food security.

Anonymous

Emory University

Spring
2021

I pledge to spend the first two years of my professional career as a teacher in a low-income community. After that, I hope to donate 4% of my income to causes that I care about. At the same time, I look forward to volunteering with a diverse array of local organizations to determine which I want to sit on the board of and help lead. I look forward to building bridges and continuing to serve the school I teach at long after I leave.

Anonymous

Emory University

Spring
2021

I pledge to engage in a career that keeps philanthropic purpose and missions in mind and hope to contribute anywhere from 2-8% of my income to philanthropic organizations or missions as I am able. Maintaining a sense of awareness, community, and responsibility will be at the forefront of my mind when approaching philanthropy and I pledge to contribute to causes that give a voice to the marginalized groups who have been historically denied a seat at the table of policy and law.

Anonymous

Emory University

Spring
2021

I pledge to always engage in philanthropy beyond a monetary donation. Whether it be volunteering or another form of civic engagement, I will commit to the philosophy that donating my financial resources is the bare minimum that I can do. It is necessary, which is why I will commit to donating 5% of my income for as long as I am financially able, but I will measure my philanthropic success by my ability to get proximate to the causes I support beyond my monetary contribution.

Anna Horzen

Vanderbilt University

Spring
2021

I pledge to focus on sustainability during my years in college. I will avoid red meat and – honestly 0 any meat, take shorter and colder showers, and talk to people about sustainability. When I begin to have an annual income, I will commit 5% of that income to philanthropical needs having to do with sustainability. Then, when (and if) I reach over 500k per year, I will up my giving to 20% (and I will probably shift that upwards in the future).

Anjali Dhanani

Texas A&M University

Spring
2021

I pledge to give 3% of my income every year to nonprofits that are important to me and volunteer at least 50 hours of my time every year to causes that are important to me.