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

University of Virginia

Spring
2017

As I enter a job as an educator after graduation, hope to pursue jobs in public service in the future, and plan to remain philanthropic throughout my life, I hope that my actions display my commitment to giving back to my community. As an undergraduate student giving campaign coordinator, I understand the value of contributing financially to my University and other deserving causes. I plan to make small annual donations after I graduate and, as my fiscal capacity expands, make gifts to other causes I feel passionately about, such as local women’s shelters and my church’s ministries.

Anonymous

University of Texas

Spring
2017

Once I graduate from college and consider myself to be financiall stable, I pledge to give 1-5% of my income and a considerable amount of my time (5-10 hours a month) to charitable causes.

Anonymous

University of Texas

Spring
2017

Once I am done with higher education and consider myself financially stable, I plan to give 1-5% of my salary and 5-10 hours a month of my time charitable causes of my choosing. I plan not to invest all in one charity but to diversify the types of organisations I assist. This way I will give a bunch of smaller organisations the head start they need instead of only making a difference in a single realm.

Anonymous

University of Texas

Spring
2017

I would like to give 10% of my income up until the age of 30. At the age of 30, I would raise the number to 15% of my income. From there, I would increase as I see it considering my life circumstances (children, job, living, etc.)

Anonymous

University of Texas

Spring
2017

I pledge to give at least 5% of my income for any amount of money I make and increase by 6.125% for every 50k I make.

Anonymous

University of Texas

Spring
2017

I pledge to give at least 10% of my income starting 3 years after graduating from college and to volunteer at least a few hours every 2 months. Additionally, I hope to start a non-profit if I become financially sucessful.