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

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Fall
2020

I pledge to donate as much time as I can to volunteering and helping nonprofits achieve their upward goals. When I reach financially stable state in my life, I hope to consistently give to nonprofits that I feel a connection with.

Anonymous

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Fall
2020

I pledge to donate a considerable portion of my time and at least 10% of my future income to organizations that promote issues that I am passionate about and align with my personal values. I hope to mainly focus on organizations that promote equality and justice.

Anonymous

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Fall
2020

I pledge to dedicate part of my time working for non-profits and helping under- served populations of person with disabilities. I also would like to give back by giving a portion of my income to relevant non-profits within the community that I will live in.

Anonymous

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Fall
2020

I pledge to dedicate my career to doing good in this world and helping the people around me. I pledge to always be involved in nonprofit work even if I do not end up working professionally in the nonprofit field. I pledge to always volunteer my time at nonprofit organizations that align with my values and when I have a stable salary I pledge to donate a percentage of my income to nonprofit organizations.

Anonymous

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Fall
2020

I pledge to dedicate large portions of my time to nonprofit organizations in the future through volunteering, and hopefully employment. I also pledge to dedicate 5% of my income each month to a specific nonprofit that I feel has strong core values, and is underfunded when it comes to their access to mandatory resources needed to give back to the community.

Anonymous

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Fall
2020

I pledge to continue to dedicate my time, service, and money to causes which I am passionate about. My education emphasizes the importance of working with organizations where I share the same values and fundamentals of their mission. I want to continue creating relationships with nonprofits, stakeholders, and the surrounding community. I am confident working with nonprofit organizations throughout the rest of my life will allow me to gain knowledge on social impact and help create a sense of community in everything I do.