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

Baylor University

Fall
2018

I plan to give at least 10% of my future earnings on an annual basis to philanthropic causes. I would like to increase this amount as my career goes on, student loans are paid off, and my financial stability increases. In addition to monetary donations I plan to give my time and effort towards regularly volunteering in a variety of capacities.

Anonymous

Baylor University

Fall
2018

I plan to give at least 10% of my annual income upon graduation. As my disposable income increases I hope to increase that percentage.

Anonymous

Baylor University

Fall
2018

I plan to give 10-15% of my salary to philanthropic efforts. The realization that sometimes even the smallest amounts at the right time can make all the difference to a philanthropic effort.

Anonymous

Baylor University

Fall
2018

I plan to give 10% of my income to organizations that I believe will promote the greatest good possible. I also plan to dedicate at least 2 hours each week to serving such organizations.

Anonymous

Baylor University

Fall
2018

I hope to live a life that is in its very nature philanthropic. The work I feel most led to is in the nonprofit realm and I hope the spirit of philanthropy and charity are represented through both my every day actions and my giving. Rather than setting a specific percentage of my income that I would like to give, like 10%, I would rather hope to pursue a radical style of living that was not defined by the traditional “standard of living” but defined by a standard of giving. Rather than a set amount each year, I would like to (and hope to) give as much as I can as often as I can. It is important to me that this giving includes monetary gifts, but also gifts of time, hospitality, etc.

Anonymous

Baylor University

Fall
2018

I hope to begin giving 10% of my income immediately, and in the future I will strive to give 10% of my income plus donations to 2-5 organizations a year that I feel passionate about. I also hope to spend at least 1 hour per week devoting time to some sort of service organization.