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

Texas A&M University

Spring
2019

Upon graduation, I pledge to give 15% of my income to my church, nonprofits, and individuals in need. I pledge to become informed about important gaps in my community and world so that I may be a passionate advocate about things that truly matter. I pledge to also invest in my community by giving my time and skills and to encourage the people around me to have a similar mindset about the role of volunteering and nonprofits in their communities.

Anonymous

Texas A&M University

Spring
2019

I pledge to use the privilege of both my income, my time, and my career to empower others by supporting the philanthropic community. I pledge on annually donating 5-10% of my income to effective and cost efficient philanthropies that I have researched and am passionate about. I pledge to use my time and my professional expertise to help the philanthropic community through volunteering and serving on a non-profit’s board.Furthermore, I pledge to be a positive influence on the community I live and work in through my professional work, my philanthropic work, and the many other meaningful interactions of life for as the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche writes in Twilight of the Idols: “He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how.”

Anonymous

Texas A&M University

Spring
2019

I pledge to give my time, money, and expertise to nonprofits I am passionate about for as long as I am able to give. Until I begin to earn an income, I will regularly donate my time to nonprofits through volunteering efforts. When I have a stable source of income, I pledge to give 5% of my money to nonprofits, and gradually increase that number until it hits 10%. Within the next 15 years, I hope to serve on at least one Board of Directors of a nonprofit. I pledge to be mindful of the issues in society, thoughtful to the needs of nonprofits, and strategic in my giving.

Anonymous

Texas A&M University

Spring
2019

I pledge to give my time, efforts, and income to philanthropic causes that I am passionate and that I have strategically analyzed. I pledge to give 5% of my disposable income initially and then increase that to 10-15% of my disposable income once I become more financially secure. I pledge to one day start my own nonprofit like I have always dreamed of doing. I pledge to serve on nonprofit’s board.Overall, I pledge to be a light in the community and encourage others around me to give of their time and income as well. I want to be a positive influence and be philanthropic in my everyday life.

Anonymous

Texas A&M University

Spring
2019

I pledge to give freely of my time, talent, and treasure to philanthropic causes as long as I live. Following graduation, I pledge to give 5-10% of my income to worthy causes in my community with the goal of increasing that percentage as I become financially stable. It is a goal to one day serve on the board for a nonprofit I believe in. Starting today, I pledge to volunteer regularly and meaningfully with a local nonprofit.

Anonymous

Texas A&M University

Spring
2019

I pledge to give both my time and money to nonprofits upon graduation from college. Initially, I will give 4% of my income which will increase to 10% once I become financially stable.