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 Pennsylvania

Spring
2019

I pledge, in coordination with my wife, to continually explore our areas of interest and determine our philanthropic priorities. We will maintain our recurring donor status with the organizations we currently support and, when possible and appropriate, extend our support to other organizations operating in the spaces we find meaningful and important.

Anonymous

University of Pennsylvania

Spring
2019

I pledge to increase my giving(financially) by 1% yearly until I reach a point that yearly I am giving somewhere between 8-10% yearly as Iong as it is economically feasible for me.

Anonymous

University of Pennsylvania

Spring
2019

I pledge to donate at least 10% of my net income to organizations that foster collaboration among nonprofits and other sectors and provide a pathway to systemic change.

Anonymous

University of Pennsylvania

Spring
2019

I pledge to donate 5-10% of my net income to organizations that have supported my personal trajectory and/or reflect my values, beginning with 5% this year (2019), and growing to 10% over time.

Anonymous

University of Pennsylvania

Spring
2019

I pledge to continue working in the social impact sector and for mission-driven work I care about. When I have a salary again, I will resume my monthly and/or annual giving and plan to increase my giving as my compensation increases over time.

Anonymous

University of Pennsylvania

Spring
2019

I pledge to continue working in the nonprofit space and to give an amount of my annual income to nonprofits each year. In the future, when my income is greater, I will increase this amount and continue to give to causes I am passionate about.