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

Harvard University - Graduate

Spring
2017

I pledge to create a NGO to provide access to the arts to underprivileged children in the Sahara desert

Anonymous

Harvard University - Graduate

Spring
2017

I pledge to continue to provide monthly contributions supporting women’s reproductive rights and in the next year will increase my volunteer commitment by joining the board of a nonprofit organization. When my student loan debt is paid off, I will continue to contribute this monthly amount to philanthropic causes I care about and increase proportionately with my income.

Anonymous

Harvard University - Graduate

Spring
2017

I pledge to continue giving monthly donations to women’s health causes. Once I am more financially stable, I plan to support the education organizations that my friends are starting with up to 5% of my salary. I also plan to increase the percentage as I earn more over the course of my career.

Anonymous

Harvard University - Graduate

Spring
2017

I pledge to build a foundation (obviously with lots of my own money) that will focus on investigating poverty across the globe. I am not so sure about when it’s going to be, but I will always strive for this goal. After I finish my graduate studies in Economics, I pledge to set aside 5% of my income for donating to philanthropic use (but not necessarily donate to philanthropic organizations).

Anonymous

Baylor University

Spring
2017

Once I finish paying off my student loans, I pledge on giving at least 10% of my yearly earnings to a philanthropic cause and likewise volunteer in my community throughout the year.

Anonymous

Baylor University

Spring
2017

Once I am financially stable and through with gradate school, I pledge to give a give significant percentage of my annual salary to to a philanthropic organization that I see making a difference in the lives of others for the better. Until that point, I will continue to volunteer at local non profits, giving my time and services in a non monetary form.