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

Abilene Christian University

Spring
2020

I commit that I will give a portion of my time and no less than ten percent of my earnings each year to non-profits or causes that I believe in.

Anonymous

Abilene Christian University

Spring
2020

I aim to be generous with my time, money and resources. My goal is to find a cause and contribute to it a way that will benefit the organization or people in need. I hope to able to serve alongside focused organizations in order to bring a mindset of generosity to the generations to come.

Anna Marchio

University of Pennsylvania

Spring
2020

I pledge to donate monthly to a cause that I am passionate about, women’s reproductive justice. I currently give a minute amount of my pay, but I pledge to increase this by 1% every year. I also pledge to give the cost of my medication each month to the Lupus Foundation for America, because without them, I would not have access to the doctors and medication that I need.

Alyssa Hatsukami

University of Pennsylvania

Spring
2020

I pledge to commit 5-10% of my salary annually to a nonprofit in my community. I will also commit my professional life to working as a social worker. Later in my career, I hope to serve on a nonprofit board.

Alexandria Moragne

University of Texas - McCombs

Spring
2020

I am pledging to donate $1,000 a year once I start working to non-profits dedicated to education, human services, or the arts. If there comes a point where I can’t donate that level of money, I want to be able to utilize my organizational talents to assist a non-profit organization.

Alex Tung

University of Texas - McCombs

Spring
2020

I aspire to give 3-5% of my annual income to philanthropic causes. After taking this course I will do my due diligence to ensure I am making impactful contributions. In terms of my time, my goal is to sit on a nonprofit board in within the next 5-10 years. If not on a board, I hope to be actively involved in a nonprofit that I care deeply about. This topic might surround homelessness and food scarcity.