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 California, Irvine

Winter
2019

I pledge that I will continue to enhance my knowledge of philanthropy and gain valuable skills that will allow me to provide help to those organizations that I feel most passionate about. I will provide my help to disadvantaged communities, such as the one I grew up in. I will use my knowledge learned in this course to give back to the people that have shaped who I am, regardless of where I stand financially. Lastly, I pledge that ,once I have the financial means to donate, I will give monetary contributions to those organizations in need that align with my values.

Anonymous

University of California, Irvine

Winter
2019

As I begin to dive into my career and becoming financially stable, I want to be able to give to more less-known causes in order to help people that usually don’t see as much help.

Anonymous

University of California, Irvine

Winter
2019

Although most giving goals are using materials such as money, I want to pledge my time in order to help those less fortunate. Through this course, I was able to visit organizations who work very closely with volunteers and rely on their help in order to stay running. As a student, any money I make is directed towards my schooling, but I still want to help in a way I know I can. Therefore, I hope to have had over 100 hours of community service and volunteer opportunities by the time I graduate in 2022.

Zara Kintz

Baylor University

Fall
2019

I pledge to give 10% of my income. As my income increases, I want to increase my giving to 20% of my income. I will also volunteer regularly with non-profits that are doing worthwhile work in my community.

Walter Johnson

Texas A&M University

Fall
2019

I am not ready at this uncertain time in my life to make a giving pledge. Fidelity to one’s commitments are of the utmost importance and given many factors in my life, I do not want to make a promise which I may not be able to keep. Having said this, I understand the importance of service and giving and I am confident in my values and my commitment to humanity and nature that I will live a life full of service and giving.

Sydney Reyes

Washington University In St. Louis

Fall
2019

I pledge to give start giving 2% of my income every year after college and volunteer 30 hours a year until I reach 30. Then, I pledge to give 5% of my income and volunteer 50 hours a year and increase both by 2 every 10 years.