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

Spring
2018

I plan to allocate 15% of my annual income to a charity that I have researched and fully support.

Anonymous

Baylor University

Spring
2018

I intend on giving a minimum of 10-15 percent of my annual income to charitable causes once I am working and have paid off loans. If I am more successful in my career, I hope to have the ability to give even more. I also plan on continuing to volunteer weekly in my community.

Anonymous

Baylor University

Spring
2018

I hope to give 10% of my future income every year to a philanthropic organization. I plan to increase and adjust this percentage as time goes on, and my career takes off. I want to give to causes that I resonate with and am passionate about. Also, I am planning to dedicate time to volunteer consistently with various philanthropic organizations in my community . Overall, I aspire to be an individual who works toward the goal of improving and benefiting my community.

Anonymous

Baylor University

Spring
2018

From here on out, I pledge to give at least 10 percent of each of my paychecks to worthy causes that I have strategically chosen. I also pledge to continue doing volunteer work in which every community that I call home. I also hope that one day I will be able to continue on with the seeds that this program planted in me, and work in the non-profit sector.

Anonymous

Vanderbilt University

Spring
2018

I pledge to consistently dedicate my time to a non-profit organization as well as giving 10% of my income once I get a steady job after graduation.

Anonymous

University of Washington

Spring
2018

We go through seasons when we have more or less of what we see as our desirable standard of living. Rather than committing to a fixed percentage of my income, I want to commit to a lifestyle of philanthropy. I purposely leave this vague because my commitments will fluctuate depending on my stage of life. My giving goal will be based one on proportionality and equity, giving more during seasons of surplus and holding back during seasons of need. The giving goal of one of my peers at UW resonated with me. He/she wrote, “I do not believe that giving has to be a monetary commitment.” A lifestyle of philanthropy not only includes giving away resources in terms of money, but it includes giving away my time and experiences. One type of philanthropy that has affected me personally and has helped my growth as a student is through mentorship programs. I have a passion for students from lower-income families who may have less access and exposure to the wide range of careers, work culture, or the how-to’s on navigating through our system. And as a first-generation immigrant who didn’t have the financial surplus growing up, I empathize and want to help younger students who may lack inspiration and confidence, or even knowledge of the many scholarships and support programs available. Giving shouldn’t be a burdensome task- I genuinely believe that some people are in circumstances without surplus to give away freely. When one says that it is our moral responsibility to give to others, they are blind to the circumstantial ails of some people who, if obligated to give, would be giving at the expense of hurting one self. But once these people have benefited from others’ giving, they have the moral responsibility to give back just as they were given to.