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

Baylor University

Fall
2020

I pledge to use my medical education to serve those in my local community and globally. I plan to not only give money but to also personally connect with the philanthropies I support. After paying off my medical school loans, I plan on donating 10% of my income and adjust that according to increases in my income as I become a more established doctor. I also plan to involve my family and kids in community service so they develop a servant heart.

Anonymous

Baylor University

Fall
2020

I pledge to give my time, knowledge, and to share my experiences where it may help organizations or other nonprofits to succeed.

Anonymous

Baylor University

Fall
2020

I pledge to give at least 10% of my income once I am financially independent and hope to increase this amount as I am able! I believe it is important that financial giving is still relationally-based, so to me this will look like supporting the Bible Camp I grew up at, Baylor, and two mission organizations I have gotten to serve through, in addition to my church. It is my desire to be a good steward of the blessings I’ve been given and give back in ways that will further the fulfillment the Great Commission—both financially and by serving.

Anonymous

Baylor University

Fall
2020

I pledge to give a certain percentage annually to an organization in my community striving to better that community.

Ana Balderas

Texas A&M University

Fall
2020

My giving goal is to donate my time at least five times a year every year for the rest of my life to different organizations or a couple of hours every month to one organization that’s meaningful to me. I want to use my skills learned in the workplace to be applied to nonprofits so my time can be even more valuable to them. I also want to be able to donate financially every month to organizations I connect with. This can be as little as $10 a month, I just want to be consistent with it.

Aleah McGowan

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Fall
2020

I would like to give 16% right after college because I will hopefully not have debt, as I get older I would like to increase that up to at least 20%. Hopefully it would be much more but it would depend on what else I am fiscally responsible for. I would also like to invest in something larger for an organization like office space.