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 Texas

Spring
2018

I pledge to always give and volunteer consistently, to the extent of which I can afford, from today until my last breath.

Anonymous

University of Texas

Spring
2018

I pledge to always dedicate a significant amount of time to serve a nonprofit that I’m passionate about. Once I earn a steady income of my own, I will give 10% of my salary to charity.

Anonymous

University of Texas

Spring
2018

I pledge to access my financial situation in terms of how much I can give, as I am unsure where I will be in life. If I cannot donate money, I will donate my time and network to volunteer and/or advocate. I would like to support a local non-profit so that I can donate gifts, financial and goods, as well as volunteer.

Anonymous

University of Texas

Spring
2018

I pledge that as long as I am a student, I participate in at least one charity event per month. Once I am hired at my first (paid) job, I pledge to donate 5% of my annual income to a nonprofit that I have researched and feel passionate about. I also want to make an effort to track the impact of my donations, and form relationships within the nonprofit community.

Anonymous

University of Texas

Spring
2018

I plan to contribute my time and effort to charities that seek to help the most unprivileged sectors of society. In addition, once I become financially stable and have provided my family with a comfortable standard of living, I pledge to donate 10% of my income to charities or non-profits that support those in need.

Anonymous

University of Texas

Spring
2018

By the time i’m out of college, I pledge to spend at least 4 days of month volunteering.