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!

Allison Gentry

University of Texas

Spring
2018

I pledge to always hold compassion and empathy for others, and take action to support noble causes in whatever means I can – whether that be volunteering, donating money, or advocating. When I start to donate money, I plan to hold a “do-bester” mindset and only donate money after thoroughly investigating the impact and effectiveness of the organizations I am considering. If I have kids, I pledge to instill in them from a young age an understanding of the importance of community service and hope to model to them how to effectively support causes they are passionate about.

Abigel Chavez

University of Texas

Spring
2018

I pledge to give a minimum of 5% annually to charitable organizations beyond a 10% tithe to my church. Furthermore, I pledge to volunteer my time to philanthropic endeavors at least twice a month starting now.

Abbeegail Dillard

University of Texas

Spring
2018

I pledge to give 10% of my income annually after the arrival of my first paycheck upon completing school, and to give as much time and effort as possible to charitable organizations throughout my life.

Anonymous

University of California, Irvine

Winter
2017

My goal is to be able to give at least 20% of my annual income to organizations I feel are making a difference in the world while also being able to support my family. In addition, I know I will be volunteering a lot of my time to help firsthand. Protecting the goodness of the world is very important.

Anonymous

University of California, Irvine

Winter
2017

If I reach my goal of becoming a United States Representative, than I will donate 25% of my salary to a Non-Profit in my community. If I don’t become a congressman, I plan on donating 10% of my salary to local Non-Profits. I feel like it would be an honor to represent my community as a representative, and feel like 175,000 salary is too much. Hence, why I would be willing to donate more to local Non-Profits. If I don’t become a representative, I really want to work for a Non-Profit, and know the salary might not be that sufficient. That being said I would still be willing to donate 10% back to my local Non-Profit.

Anonymous

University of California, Irvine

Winter
2017

As I aim for graduation, my goals have developed into ones that are focused on communities who are underserved. I pledge to engage with these communities by both supporting local business and nonprofit organizations through donations and devoting my time and effort in being part of these organization in order to continue giving back.