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 Texas - McCombs

Spring
2019

I pledge to donate 10% of my income to one or more NPOs that I am involved with. I hope to serve on the board of a non-profit in the next 10 years.

Anonymous

University of Texas - McCombs

Spring
2019

After securing full-time employment, I pledge to donate to organizations that are focused on creating equity through system-level changes.

Anonymous

University of Texas - McCombs

Spring
2019

After I secure a full-time job, I feel it is very important for me to reengage with the nonprofit sector which I was very involved with before returning to school. While I hope to have a career that allows me to support the nonprofit sector, I think it is critical to be involved in my personal life through giving 5% of my salary annually, volunteering with my family, and obtaining a board position for a nonprofit I am passionate about.

Anonymous

University of Texas - McCombs

Spring
2019

After I graduate and lock down a full-time job, I plan to donate a total of 2% of my income to a multitude of arts nonprofits in the Austin area.

Anonymous

University of Texas - McCombs

Spring
2019

After graduation, my goal is to volunteer at least an hour a week working with an organization that works in the mental health space. In addition to my time, my goal is to donate at least 5% of my income annually to charitable causes.

Anonymous

University of Texas - McCombs

Spring
2019

After graduation, I would like to volunteer my time at a local non-profit focused on youth development. Upon recovering a third of my original savings before business school, I would like to start donating 3-5% of my salary to charity each year. I’d also like to serve on a board of a non-profit I’m passionate about within the next 15 years.