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!

Cara Shipley

Baylor University

Fall
2019

I pledge to give at least 15% of my income. I plan to tithe 10% of my salary to my local church. I plan to give at least 5% to organizations both in my community and around the world that are working to improve the welfare of those in need. I will conduct extensive research on the organizations in my community before choosing which organizations to give to. I pledge to live my life with open hands, freely giving and serving those in need to the best of my ability. I believe I have a calling as a Christian to serve God’s people, so I pledge to give not only financially but also through my talents and time. Ultimately, I hope to inspire my friends, current and future family, and anyone I come in contact with to approach giving as both an opportunity and a calling.

Camille Robert

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Fall
2019

I pledge to dedicate the rest of my life to empowering those around me through physical, emotional, and financial contributions. I will give as much as I can in those three ways to organizations I believe in, while also working to dismantle the systems that have created such inequality in our society.

Caitlin Lewis

Tulane University

Fall
2019

I would like to continue my philanthropic journey in my future career and in my future salary. I plan on pursuing a degree in Psychology, and would love to work for a non-profit organization in the future. With any future salary I have, I would like to donate a percentage of it to a non-profit organization that I am passionate about. I also would like to donate my time as a volunteer if I do not end up working full time for a non-profit. This class opened my eyes to all of the different factors that should go into deciding where you donate your money. I pledge to continue to educate myself on the organizations that I am passionate about and only donate my money once I have thoroughly considered all of the aspects of the organization.

Barbara Oedayrajsingh Varma

Harvard University - Undergraduate

Fall
2019

I pledge to hold my own moral and ethical beliefs at the center of the personal and career decisions I make. After I finish my education, I pledge to give back at least 5% of my income, both to the people, communities and organisations that have helped me reach where I am today, and to causes that work on creating the world that I hope to live in.

Bailey Havis

Baylor University

Fall
2019

After I receive my first job, I plan to give away 10-15% of my earned salary. I plan to give 10% of my earned income to my church and the other 5% to a nonprofit or two of which I am passionate about. Along with my financial giving, I plan to volunteer my time and talents to organizations in which my family and I are passionate about. I believe it is critical that my family does things together so that we can continue giving back to those less fortunate for as long as we can.

Audrey Mirasola

Baylor University

Fall
2019

I pledge to give 15% of my income, after graduating and obtaining a job, to effective philanthropic organizations of my choice. If I earn a significant amount I would like to increase this percentage to 20% or possibly even 30%. These donations will be aimed at supporting economic and social growth in America and around the world. Contributions of my time will supplement these donations.