In a world that is, in the eyes of our generation, so centered around money, focused on personal success, and cluttered with material possession, it’s hard to remember what really matters. It’s even harder still to sacrifice your time and money resources to contribute to a cause that, at the end of the day, may not make a difference. My Giving Goal is to always remember that a life lived for oneself and only oneself is not a life at all. Such a life is simply survival and servitude. A full life, the only one worth living, is full of people and love and contributions to the shared human experience. I pledge to spend 5-25% (increasing percentage as I get older) of my time and money resources to contribute to development of/and freedom around the world at all the levels that I can access.
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
- Winter
- 2020
I pledge to dedicate my time to support nonprofit organizations that align with my passions. Once I have a steady job following graduation, I will dedicate 10% of my salary to charitable giving.
Anonymous
- Winter
- 2020
I plan to spend at least 60 hours a year pursuing volunteer opportunities in my local community as well as donating 10% of my annual income to a philanthropy that focuses on impact and causes I care about.
Anonymous
- Winter
- 2020
I plan to make my giving as effective as possible by comparing the impact of different organizations working on causes I care about. I also plan to donate at least a weekend of my time each year to causes I care about close to home.
Annalise Nahlin
- Winter
- 2020
My goal is to continually be aware of how my earnings and time can be impactful to other individuals and communities. I believe this awareness is necessary because it is a reminder of my privilege and the opportunities I have to make significant change in the world. I aim to donate a percentage of my annual earnings to organizations that I have done extensive research on and which I believe have an effective approach to creating sustainable solutions in communities in need around the world. I also pledge to give my time doing volunteer work in my own community each month.
Yuanmeng He
- Fall
- 2020
I will be giving 5 percent or more of my annual income to charity once I am able to sustain my life.