I promise to do my best in daily recognizing the abundance of what I have so that I live a life characterized by generosity. I pledge to never turn a blind eye to the many ways I can serve my community and world. Instead, I will be an active listener with eyes wide to ways I can be helpful and causes which need a strong advocate. I pledge to give at least 10% of my income to strategic and sustainable organizations that align with my passions and Christian beliefs for the rest of my life. I will do my best to research the financial flooring, ethics, and leadership of each organization which I support. I pledge to give not just my funds, but also I pledge to use my education to provide financial services to nonprofit organizations. Finally, (and potentially most importantly), I pledge to be an advocate and teacher to the best of my ability to those around me on how to give generously and strategically to those in need.
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
Search for Giving Goals
Over 4,200+ course participants have written giving goals in a demonstration of leadership!
Anonymous
- Spring
- 2018
I pledge to:-Use my passions, strengths, and abilities to meet what I perceive as the greatest needs in my community and the world-Responsibly contribute at least 10% of my income towards strategic organizations whose missions align with my values-Commit at least 10% of my unstructured time to investing in my local community and issues I care about-Be generous with my time, talent, and treasure and excite those around me to do the same-Continue increasing my capacity to give by investing in my education, work, family, and community
Anonymous
- Spring
- 2018
I pledge to stay mindful of the abundance of blessing in my life, as well as consistent and strategic about giving monetarily and physically to the causes I am passionate about.
Anonymous
- Spring
- 2018
I pledge to live a life of generosity, of active listening, and of philanthropic knowledge. I pledge to take the values from this class and make them my own, to take them throughout my life and give a portion of my earnings to the betterment of our world. That may look like 10% of my earnings and/or 10% of my time. The world will only truly change when society is knowledgeable about nonprofits and giving, and I aim to do my part in making sure that happens.
Anonymous
- Spring
- 2018
I pledge to have a generous mindset for the rest of my life. I plan to give 10% of my income to non-profits, with the hope of increasing that amount later. I’m going to do this by budgeting my own money well, as I feel responsible to do that with the limited resources there are in the world. I also pledge to volunteer and support organizations I’m passionate about in multiple ways.
Anonymous
- Spring
- 2018
I pledge to give habitually and consistently to philanthropies and sustainable organizations that are seeking to make a difference in the world. I am dedicating my future habits to reflect the importance of philanthropy through giving money, volunteering time, and being a smart consumer. I desire to be someone who consistently seeks knowledge of the impact of my money and pledge to practice due diligence with every organization I interact with. My life will reflect the values I have learned in this class and I will aim to influence and educate those around me on the importance of philanthropy and sustainable impact.