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

Columbia University

Spring
2020

I pledge to work in a career with a philanthropic mission. I will utilize my privilege and skill-set to contribute positively to the world.

Anonymous

Columbia University

Spring
2020

I pledge to use my most valuable resource for the institution of philanthropic good in the future. I imagine that this will be a life spent focusing on instituting change through my work. However, if I accrue an annual salary approaching 6-figures I plan that my financial gifts will be a minimum of 10% of my annual income. I will continue to utilize my labor and efforts as a valuable and vital resource for the institution of philanthropic change.

Anonymous

Columbia University

Spring
2020

I pledge to give to philanthropy each year I am able. I pledge to remember what philanthropy has done for me. I pledge to give to institutions that have the power to enhance the lives of those in communities I care about, I pledge to give through volunteer work every year, and to remember why it is important. I pledge to also remember how money can act like power for those in need. I pledge to use my voice and resources to uplift vulnerable populations.

Anonymous

Columbia University

Spring
2020

I pledge to give a combination of time and partial income (10%) to assist vulnerable groups with humbled backgrounds similar to my own. No matter how successful I become, philanthropic efforts and social impact will play a role in everything I set to accomplish.

Anonymous

Columbia University

Spring
2020

I pledge to donate my time, future expertise, and available resources to helping create more stability within impoverished communities via a heavy focus toward youth and mental health. I plan to work closely with existing organizations as well as build my own network of skilled individuals with a similar mission. Upon resolving my finances and settling student loan debt, I plan to provide roughly 10% of my available income toward this end, though it may end up varying slightly, dependent upon circumstances. In the time before that, liquidity, I plan to be using that period to gain more ‘on the ground’ experience with existing organizations during my continued education.

Anonymous

Columbia University

Spring
2020

I hope to one day be in a position to donate at least 5-10% of my income to non-profit organizations in support of health education and the arts.