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

I pledge to give both my time and money to non-profits I care about. I will give 15% of my income to non-profits I am passionate about when I become financially stable after I graduate college.

Anonymous

Texas A&M University

Spring
2019

I pledge to give 5%-10% of my income as I graduate college. I pledge to give 10-15 hours per month to serving the community.

Anonymous

Texas A&M University

Spring
2019

I pledge to give 10% of my income to philanthropic causes throughout my lifetime, increasing that percent as my income grows. I will give of my time to volunteer for nonprofits, serve on their boards (if given the opportunity), and fight to find ways that nonprofits can be more effective in moving the needle on their specific social issues.

Anonymous

Texas A&M University

Spring
2019

I pledge to give 10% of my income – as well as my time, energy, and intellectual talents – to organizations that provide youth with opportunities for transformational experiential learning or promote the virtues of ambition, empathy, or integrity. I also intend to begin serving on the Board of an educational nonprofit or foundation, if I am the best suited individual for the role, as soon as possible.

Anonymous

Texas A&M University

Spring
2019

I pledge to donate my time and money to nonprofits following my graduation. I aim to give 5% of my disposable income initially and increase to 15% after becoming financially stable. Additionally, I hope to serve on a nonprofit’s board of directors within 20 years of graduation.

Anonymous

Texas A&M University

Spring
2019

I pledge to approach the world with an open heart and mind by being educated and engaged with the needs of the world. I would like to give at least 5% of my income annually to causes that I am passionate about because I believe that my philanthropic efforts should be intentional and not just a donation of whatever I may have leftover. In addition to giving financially, I plan to give me time to organizations by volunteering regularly.