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

Tulane University

Fall
2018

I pledge to dedicate my time to support nonprofit organizations that align with my interests and that are currently significant. I would like to dedicate 15% of my salary for donations to nonprofits once I am earning a steady income.

Anonymous

Tulane University

Fall
2018

I pledge to carry a sense of giving, understanding and selflessness. This is crucial to my personal philanthropic journey since I plan on joining a contentious, time-consuming and competitive industry: the legal field. I hope to disprove the widely-believed conventions of attorneys being amoral and self-seeking by starting my own independent non-profit organization during my years as an attorney. Additionally, I pledge that my current non-profit organization, Chess Stars NOLA, would have serviced the marginalized children of New Orleans for at least one year. My time in New Orleans is limited so I understand if Chess Stars NOLA is unable to continue after my college years.

Anonymous

Tulane University

Fall
2018

I aim to volunteer my time with an organization that I am passionate about. I also strive to get friends and family involved with volunteering to make a bigger impact.I think time and connections are extremely impactful but I would also like to donate 5% of my income (after college) to various organizations that I feel strongly about. As my career progresses I would like to give more and gradually increase to 15% of my income.

Anonymous

Tulane University

Fall
2018

I aim to hold philanthropy as an integral part of my daily life and career rather than a secondary concern. Making philanthropy a primary concern I hope to always have a large social impact and use the privileges which I do not deserve to help those in need. Regardless of occupation or economic status, giving will always be a part of my life.

Anonymous

Tulane University

Fall
2018

Following my college graduation, I pledge to always remember the impact that my philanthropic acts have had on me, as well as my community. I pledge to remain grateful for what I have, while making sure to give to those less fortunate than myself. Throughout my life I intend to donate an amount of money I see fit each year to an organization that I’m passionate about, to actively volunteer in some way, and to express the importance of philanthropy to my future family.

Anonymous

Tulane University

Fall
2018

As a college student, I currently have no continual source of income, and because of this, giving to others (monetarily) isn’t always at the front of my mind. However, once I’m settled after college, it’s in my plans to not only give my time but also my money to the organizations that I strongly believe in, and who support the values that matter most to me. I pledge to always keep philanthropy a part of my life, in some way or another.