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 Wisconsin-Madison

Fall
2017

I pledge to give whatever efforts I can to support the distribution of basic human needs to people whose needs for nutritious food, clean water, safe shelter, and accessible healthcare are currently not being met. I desire to give 5% of my money and consistent volunteering of my time to organizations that focus on sustainability, community-based approaches, and impacting the root issues that cause problems of poor health conditions around the world.

Anonymous

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Fall
2017

I pledge to donate my time, money, social efforts, and professional life towards environmental nonprofits, throughout college and into my career. It is my goal to donate 5% of my income towards missions that align with my values of conservation

Anonymous

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Fall
2017

I pledge to donate my time, money, and interest to support nonprofits that I find a passion in. I hope to make an impact by giving 5% of my income toward nonprofits focused on youth, education, and special education. I will also aim to advocate for those nonprofits’ mission and encourage others to do the same.

Anonymous

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Fall
2017

I pledge to donate my time, efforts, and support to nonprofit organizations that promote human rights and align with my values of eliminating poverty, diseases, gender inequality, animal abuse, and unequal educational opportunities throughout the world.

Anonymous

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Fall
2017

I pledge to donate my time, efforts and 3% of my annual salary towards non-profits that focus their efforts on health, more specifically organizations that have benefitted my family and myself in the past.

Anonymous

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Fall
2017

I pledge to donate my time and money to organizations that benefit causes I am passionate about.