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 Texas

Spring
2020

I pledge to donate a minimum of 50 hours per year of my time to non-profit organizations. In addition to volunteering my time, I will give a percentage of my annual income depending on the extent of my earnings. If my salary increases overtime, I plan to increase my financial giving as well.

Anonymous

University of Texas

Spring
2020

After graduation, I pledge to give 5% of my income to local nonprofits. I also want to become a regular volunteer at the nonprofits I choose to donate to.

Anonymous

University of Texas

Spring
2020

After Graduation and in the future, I pledge to donate 10% of my income to charities of my choosing. Additionally, I hope to engage in volunteer work, either through donating my time to helping these charities or pursuing a career in the nonprofit sector.

Anonymous

University of Texas - McCombs

Spring
2020

Volunteer with Habitat for Humanity one a quarter

Anonymous

University of Texas - McCombs

Spring
2020

I pledge to donate at least 5% of my income, and find ways to donate my time to non-profits promoting musical education

Anonymous

University of Texas - McCombs

Spring
2020

After I graduate and start working, I will volunteer for local nonprofit-best related to education, I contacted Big Sister Big Brother before and think it is a good one to get involved with-at least one hour per week. After one year, I will working on setting up scholarship and grants in the elementary school in my hometown. And I hope that I can scale up it and make more impact.