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!

Victoria Bennett

University of Texas

Spring
2020

After graduation I pledge to give 10% of my income to my local church. I also pledge to give an annual gift to a local food bank or an organization fight food insecurity and give a significant amount of my time to organizations whose mission I feel passionately about.

Thomas Corcoran

Columbia University

Spring
2020

This course has provided me with a deeper understanding of philanthropy and has given me the tools needed to make informed, rational decisions about donating my resources. While in school, I pledge to volunteer through nonprofits 2-3hrs/week. After graduation, I pledge to donate at least 10% of my income to nonprofits with the intent on gradually raising that percentage over time.

Tammy Chun

University of Texas - McCombs

Spring
2020

I pledge to give at least an hour a week with my family back to the community. I hope this can help grow the community and instill the value of philanthropy in their lives. I also pledge to find one organization that I will continue to be involved in and donate to consistently at least once a year.

Surya Choudhury

University of Texas - McCombs

Spring
2020

Donations towards education in my home state in Orissa (India)

Sunayana Yadav

University of Texas - McCombs

Spring
2020

I’d like to provide my time to an organization or cause close to my heart (education and underprivileged communities) for two years after graduation. After this, I’d like to still volunteer one hour a month and through this, identify an organization to donate to and hopefully have a company match for!

Stuart Bryant

University of Texas - McCombs

Spring
2020

I plan to annually give 10% of my compensation to efforts that look to reduce inequities in our society. In particular, through education improvement and judicial reform.