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

Pepperdine University

Fall
2017

I pledge to have a heart of service and leverage my skills and resources for the betterment of the communities around me. I aspire to find ways to support the disadvantaged and marginalized as I work to identify and solve the root causes of complex issues. I want to be an advocate for refugees, children’s education, and women’s empowerment throughout the world. Thus, I pledge to commit my life to enacting permanent progress for global social justice.

Anonymous

Pepperdine University

Fall
2017

I pledge to give 10% of my income to a combination of both the church I attend and a variety of nonprofit organizations beginning immediately.

Anonymous

Pepperdine University

Fall
2017

I pledge to give 10% of my annual salary, after paying off my student loans, to organizations that I feel align with my philosophy of giving.

Anonymous

Pepperdine University

Fall
2017

I pledge to continue to live a life of true and pure service. This will manifest through both daily and long term implementations. Through genuine sacrifices for those around me, and continuing to gain knowledge on where needs lie, I hope to become an improved global citizen. I pledge to eradicate my seemingly intentional helping that in actuality hurts. I pledge to deliberately use my time through where my passion meets the needs of my external environment. I pledge to consciously increase my awareness of the suffering of others and to rejoice with those who rejoice. I pledge to give in abundance without an expectation of receiving in return. I pledge to remain a student of philanthropy, in the sense that I will continue to engage this sector- as an active part of my life. Through knowledge, time, and wealth; I wish to continue my participation in both philanthropy and service for the rest of my life. Overall, I pledge to continue to give to the nonprofit sector for the rest of my life.

Anonymous

Pepperdine University

Fall
2017

I pledge to always remember love and share, always give with my ability and resources to the community, and always volunteer in philanthropy services.

Anonymous

Pepperdine University

Fall
2017

I plan to support a non-profit every month by providing free consulting services for their organization. This may be through making promotional material or by providing accounting services to the organization (to name a few)