I pledge to spend time every other week to contribute to a local non-profit and if possible, serve as an advisor or member of the board for said non profit if I have the expertise to do so. I also pledge to contribute 10% of my salary to one non-profit five years after graduation and continue to do so into the indefinite future.
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
Search for Giving Goals
Over 4,200+ course participants have written giving goals in a demonstration of leadership!
Anonymous
- Spring
- 2017
With wealth inequality at the worst point that it’s been in all of history, it is now more important than ever that we set giving goals for ourselves. As far as my personal goals go, I expect to start donating 10% of my income after I turn 30. Until I turn 30, though, I expect to volunteer at least my time to local and perhaps international causes. If all goes according to plan, I expect to be able to make a humanitarian trip to Africa or South America before I turn 25. It is the little and individual pledges like this that slowly work to change and better the world. However, classes that teach about philanthropy and charitable giving also tend to leave a lasting impression on those that take them. If I take nothing else away from Dr. Pamela Paxton’s course, it is that there is no need for being materialistic in life. There are millions of people who can’t even afford to feed or clothe themselves or their children. In light of that, I just can’t bring myself to spend on luxury or excessive goods ever again. For swaying me to think like that, I’m eternally thankful to Dr. Paxton and The Philanthropy Lab.
Anonymous
- Spring
- 2017
While the cost of a college education has become a large burden for almost all students, I have been lucky enough to receive significant financial support through the university in the form of scholarships. In turn, I have been able to save the money I earn from my jobs, instead of funneling it directly into tuition. I pledge to donate 7% of my salary while I attend the University of Texas. When I enter law school, which will be considerably more expensive, I pledge to give away at least 5% of my income. When I am established within my career I plan to donate 10% of my salary. Finally, I would like to volunteer at least 100 hours each year.
Anonymous
- Spring
- 2017
I will donate at least $10 and 5% of any annual income in excess of $100,000 annually to charitable causes for the remainder of my life.
Anonymous
- Spring
- 2017
I pledge to use my knowledge to evaluate charities for future giving.
Anonymous
- Spring
- 2017
I pledge to give monetarily as soon as I am financially able to with no outstanding debts. Until then, I pledge to offer time, effort, money, and prayer to those that are in need of aid to the best of my abilities.