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!

Alejandro Arregui

University of Texas - McCombs

Spring
2020

After graduation, I pledge to give my time volunteering, in particular using my skills learned during my MBA. I would give 5-15% of my income over the next 7-10 years to several local non-profits (in particular education related), as well as my local church. I would also like to serve on the board of a non-profit in the next 20 years.

Adrian K

Columbia University

Spring
2020

I pledge contribute as much as I can, whether it be financially, professionally, or personally, to support the dire needs of the world’s most poverty stricken people.

Anonymous

University of Washington

Winter
2019

I pledge to make a conscientious and informed effort to give a portion of my disposable income to charities on a regular basis starting now. I also promise to live below my means and, in the future, use any money that is not necessary for a comfortable life to improve the world around me. Finally, I pledge to conduct myself professionally with an eye toward helping the marginalized and underprivileged, no matter where I am in my career.

Anonymous

University of Washington

Winter
2019

I pledge to dedicate a portion of my time every week and salary every month to those in positions less fortunate than mine regardless of my career path. I plan to do this through intentional philanthropy, close listening to people of different backgrounds than my own, and active allyship. I want my children and their children to understand that there will be plenty of people in our community and abroad that will be wealthier than us, but more importantly that there will be an unimaginable amount of people with far less opportunities than us. I will instill a sense of duty in my children to help others through an altruistic lens. I aim to live a life full of giving and to pass on the same values that my parents instilled in my brother and I.

Anonymous

University of California, Irvine

Winter
2019

Since the moment I first started giving back to my community through my services, I have gained a passion to give back and make a difference. For this reason, I pledge to donate at least 0.5% of my salary to a non-profit sector within my community. I also pledge, as it has been a dream of mine, to create a philanthropic project within my community to request donations or funding for my community that has experienced educational barriers and/ or homelessness to seek opportunities and change to the people.

Anonymous

University of California, Irvine

Winter
2019

I pledge to work to create a positive impact in the work I do, continuously staying engaged with what is going on around my community and giving to the best of my ability. I am determined to provide as much as I can for others, just as many have provided for me. Even though I do not know where I will be a while from now, I hope to be in a position where I can give back at least 7% of my income to my community and be able to provide at least 5 hours of volunteering a week.