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

Columbia University

Spring
2018

In my life, I have been fortunate in many ways making me think of the adage “from those to whom much is given, much is expected.” I plan to keep this in mind as a pursue a career with the goal of reducing inequity in the world and paying forward the advantages I have received in my life. From this class I have taken specifically that while the world’s problems and inequities are complex, that cannot keep us from acting. Philanthropy is personal and while it may seem a small donation or a small act, doing something for a cause you feel passionately about is not only important, it is crucial. For me that involves reducing inequity among children. I will keep this call to action with me and empower my kids with the same ideals. After graduating, I plan to dedicate my time and efforts towards a cause I feel strongly about as well as 5% of my income.

Anonymous

Columbia University

Spring
2018

I’m committed to giving away 90% of the $38,000 I’ve inherited in the next year to two years. Moving forward, I also plan on having at least 5-10% of my income each year be given away or moved. My sister and I are working with both my parents to shift their wills so that their money will also go towards both promoting the long term fight against capitalism and supporting people who need it now. Part of my work now is also fundraising my extended family to move money to organizations and individuals who need support. With this, I think it’s imperative to engage them in moving money in terms of wealth redistribution and reparations, not simply charity or philanthropy, both of which are models which tend to replicate violent, classist, and often racist power imbalances.

Anonymous

Columbia University

Spring
2018

I will give 1% of my income to causes I cared about

Anonymous

Columbia University

Spring
2018

I will always try to give to organizations that support the upward mobility of the poor and marginalized. However, my goal is to donate my time to these organizations in order to give to them the wisdom that I have received from others.

Anonymous

Columbia University

Spring
2018

I want to remember a few things: – There is always a way to engage in philanthropy. I do not need to have fulfilled all of my life goals before sharing my income or other assets – It can be worth digging into organizations’ operations, but well-written proposals do not always tell the whole story – Similarly, I want to consider whether my goal is to give a gift or make an investment I pledge to think about what I’ve learned in this course as I move forward in life. My priorities and perspectives may shift, but this reminder may bring me back to where I am now.

Anonymous

Columbia University

Spring
2018

I think it is really important for me to give back to my immediate community’s needs in the future. I am not sure now what those needs will be, but I know it is important for me to give back to my community. I will also give back to organizations similar to organizations that gave me so much during my young adult life. I want to pay it forward to the next generation of young adults in advancing their professional and educational careers. I want to devote both my time and my money to organizations that will train the next generations of leaders.