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

Vanderbilt University

Spring
2017

I pledge to give a minimum of 10% of my income every month from the start of my career. I will use the evaluation strategies I have developed in this class to guide my giving.

Anonymous

Vanderbilt University

Spring
2017

I pledge to give 5% of my salary to one charitable organization annually after starting full time employment and having paid off my student debt.

Anonymous

Vanderbilt University

Spring
2017

I pledge to give 5% of my income to charitable causes, and to give in a such away that maximizes the impact of each dollar. I also pledge to do my best in promoting socially conscious organizations to those around me.

Anonymous

Vanderbilt University

Spring
2017

I pledge to give 10% of my income to non-profit organizations that I believe in and either pursue a career in the non-profit sector or field of law. Should I choose the latter, I will dedicate at least 100 hours of pro bono service a year.

Anonymous

Vanderbilt University

Spring
2017

I pledge to give 10% of my income per year, acknowledging that during some years when my income is not high enough to support this goal, I will give through in-kind services and volunteering. I hope to give through hands-on volunteering and community action in addition to monetary donations, even when I can afford substantial philanthropy. I will be strategic in my giving, supporting organizations I believe can have the greatest impact and are doing the most genuine work, focussing both locally and globally. Most importantly, I will choose a career path through which I may benefit my society and community, bringing these social aspirations to the forefront of my life rather than leaving them as an afterthought.

Anonymous

Vanderbilt University

Spring
2017

I pledge to give 10% of my annual earnings to a charitable organization for the rest of my life as well as make every effort to volunteer with local charities/non-profits as time allows.