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

As a college student aspiring to enter the field of architecture, pledging to donate a portion of my salary may be overly ambitious. I believe that I can have a larger impact on the world by practicing and promoting minimalism and environmental responsibility in architecture. Environmental decay is an issue that affects all of us, and it will continue to do so until drastic action is taken. I believe that a large part of this issue stems from the way we design, build, and live in the structures we inhabit. By reinventing construction practices, designing passive homes, and living minimally, we have the potential to change the fate of our earth. I hope that I can be at the forefront of this movement, whether it be through journalism, education, or practicing architecture.

Anonymous

Tulane University

Fall
2018

After graduation, I would like to donate time and property to organizations at least once a month.

Anonymous

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Fall
2018

I pledge to donate both my time and money to charitable causes for the rest of my life. I want to pursue justice related causes as well as donating 5% of my income annually.

Anonymous

Harvard University - Undergraduate

Fall
2018

Regardless of circumstance, I commit to donating both my time and earnings to public and social sector work. In terms of time, I will find ways to work with community service groups— this may be in terms of my career choice (working at an NGO) or volunteering outside of work hours. Financially, I pledge to donate some amount of my earnings annually to public service causes.

Anonymous

Harvard University - Undergraduate

Fall
2018

I pledge to work in the nonprofit world and commit my career to social justice work.

Anonymous

Harvard University - Undergraduate

Fall
2018

I pledge to use my resources, network, and talent to create and protect opportunities for the poor and to create Global quantum leaps in education and healthcare for the underserved.