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 donate anywhere between 2-10% of my salary, depending on how much I’m making and the situation I am in, annually to organizations that I truly care about. Specifically, I want to create an scholarship fund for my fraternity so that people from low socio-economic statuses get to enjoy the same opportunities that I had in my college experience. I also pledge to make myself available to do pro-bono consulting for various non-profits in my area in order to use my areas of expertise to better society.

Anonymous

Vanderbilt University

Spring
2017

I pledge to do at least one half marathon, such as the New York half-marathon, and raise funds for a charity of my choice through that. I pledge to donate to at least two new charities each year after finishing my degree while focusing on a single broader issue to which I will pursue a networking position or volunteering role for raising awareness in a professional context, thereby integrating my commitment to that issue with whatever connections or success I have in the corporate world.

Anonymous

Vanderbilt University

Spring
2017

I pledge to dedicate at least the first 5 years of my career to working in organizations that fight educational inequities in the US. While I do this, I will give a minimum of $500/yr to other educational organizations that have similar goals. If I am ever to make over 75K/yr, I will then donate 5% of my income those years.

Anonymous

Vanderbilt University

Spring
2017

I pledge to annually give a minimum of 10% of my income away. I will conduct due diligence on the organizations and causes I want to give to and strive to give strategically in order to achieve high levles of social return on investment.

Anonymous

Vanderbilt University

Spring
2017

I pledge at least 5% of my annual income to philanthropic, socially conscious organizations once I am out of school and have paid off outstanding student loans. Additionally, until and beyond the marker for my financial donation goal, I pledge at least four hours of community service and volunteering at non-profits per week. I think financial contributions are important and should be supplemented by visible and measurable human support.

Anonymous

Vanderbilt University

Spring
2017

I plan to commit 5% of my annual salary to philanthropy once I am financially stable. Additionally, I plan on volunteering my time to nonprofit work. I also will consider working in the nonprofit sector as a career in the issues I am particularly concerned about.