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!

Steven Soroka

University of Texas - McCombs

Spring
2020

I pledge to be a more engaged boardmember. I will respond to emails from the executive team faster and with more attention. If my engagement dips I promise to leave the board and find other causes to get involved with it as either a donor, volunteer or board member.

Stephanie Bell

University of Texas - McCombs

Spring
2020

I pledge to give 3-5% of my income to non-profits each year.

Stephanie Abt

University of Texas - McCombs

Spring
2020

After graduation, I strive to donate time, treasure, and talent to my local community. I target to donate at least 5% of annual pre-tax salary to organizations or causes that are aligned with my values. Today, I’m pulled to donate towards human services to ensure that resources are available for deserving members of my community, but I recognize that these values may change over time. As I’ve considered geographic preferences after school, I have been drawn to find a community where I feel a sense of pride and belonging. Therefore, I want to find an organization that I can donate my time and talent to further benefiting its overall mission while at the same time further developing a sense of strong community engagement. This time/talent donation could be in terms of simply volunteering on a consistent basis or serving on a non-profit board.

Stehl Carriere

Columbia University

Spring
2020

I pledge to donate 1% of my time and income upon graduating from university and increasing the percentage of my income as I progress in my career.

Sophie Frostbaum

Emory University

Spring
2020

I pledge to donate at least 5% of my annual salary and volunteer 5 hours per week.

Sidnee Landau

Emory University

Spring
2020

I pledge to volunteer at least 25 hours a year to a philanthropy that I care about. I also pledge to donate 5% when I have enough disposable income.