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

Giving goal: I plan to give 10% of my income upon entering the workforce.

Anonymous

Abilene Christian University

Fall
2018

Starting now, before graduation, I am pledging to give both time and money in my contributions. I will start by giving at least 8% of my income to nonprofits I am apart of and at least 10 hours of volunteer work a month.

Anonymous

Abilene Christian University

Fall
2018

I pledge to give 6% of my income to various non-profit organizations of my choice. Once I reach a $50,000 a year salary I pledge to give 12% of my income to various non-profit organizations of my choice. I hope to increase the percentage as my income increases.

Anonymous

Abilene Christian University

Fall
2018

I pledge to give 10% of my income annually once I have gotten my first full-time job and moved out on my own. In addition to this, I will be consistently looking for opportunities to give of my time and my talents in my church or my community.

Anonymous

Abilene Christian University

Fall
2018

I pledge to always stay vigilant of the needs and situations of those around me and of those around the world, and to do anything in my power to aid in their suffering. I pledge to never turn a blind eye to someone in need and to have a rational mindset of what the best course of action to help them is, whether it be a financial donation or physical or emotional assistance of some sort. I pledge to always do thorough research on the causes and organizations that I support and make sure that my philanthropic and charitable efforts are always maximized to their fullest potential to help the most people possible in the communities I wish to serve. I pledge to volunteer at least 5 days every other month at a charitable institution that I am passionate about. I pledge to donate 10% of my income once I make an annual salary of over $50,000 to a philanthropic organization that I am passionate about and that I feel does the most for the community I wish to serve.

Anonymous

Abilene Christian University

Fall
2018

I pledge to always believe in others to reach their full potential in anything they set their mind to and help people in need whenever I see an opportunity to help no matter the situation. I plan to give 10% tithe back to God and an additional 5% to whichever non-profit I see a need in starting with my first paycheck after graduation.