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!

Zach Colton-Max

Northwestern University - Undergraduate

Winter
2020

I pledge to give 10% of my income to charity annually.

Sarrin Chethik

Northwestern University - Undergraduate

Winter
2020

I pledge to give 5% of my salary away each year. If my income exceeds $150,000, I will increase my contribution to 10%. I also pledge to try creating positive impact through my career.

Robert Winter

Northwestern University - Undergraduate

Winter
2020

I pledge to give 10% of my income annually beginning after graduation, and to actively gauge my capacity to give at a higher level as my income increases over time.

Rebecca Branch

University of Washington

Winter
2020

My goal is to pursue work in the philanthropic and non-profit sectors to ensure that I make an impact on those around me. My goal is to use my education to provide an informed impact in the non-profit and philanthropic sectors to create a more equitable, inclusive and sustainable society.

Paulina Andrews

University of Washington

Winter
2020

It is difficult to claim an exact percentage of earnings to donate because I don’t know what my future holds and what circumstances will arise, so instead of pledging to donate a certain percentage of my income I plan to, at first, be aware of different causes to donate to and donate however much I feel fit. Some years I may donate 15% while others I might end up only donating 3% because my money needed to be spent elsewhere. Once my life becomes more stable I pledge to donate between 5-10%, and as my income (hopefully) increases, this range will increase as well, from 5-10 to 8-12 to 10-15% etc. I also plan to donate my time and focus my primary employment around the helping of others, along with inspiring others around me to donate their money and/or time as well.

Nadene Paltep

University of Washington

Winter
2020

I believe that it is important to give either your time or money to community based work. For me, when I give, I try to volunteer my time to help out in a community that has helped me become the person I am today. This includes going back to my middle and high school in Seattle and volunteer in my Chinese classroom by assisting my teachers in teaching, grading assignments and working with students who want a student mentor. I enjoy that the most because it feels that my time is being used in the most effective way. In terms of wanting to give monetary donations, I want to do so when I am in a stable financial situation. This includes having a stable job and then committing at least 5% of my income to give away to NGOs and organizations that would need the funds the most. I hope that through this experience, I can learn where I should offer donations.