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 California, Los Angeles

Spring
2017

I pledge to give a portion of myself, whether it be money, time, or any form of support that is possible in my circumstances, to the causes that are important to me. I also pledge to make decisions with causes greater than myself in mind, and to keep hold of these causes throughout my life.

Anonymous

University of California, Los Angeles

Spring
2017

I pledge to give 9% of my income once I have achieved financial security and paid my student loans. Furthermore, I pledge to dedicate 6 hours a month to philanthropic efforts.

Anonymous

University of California, Los Angeles

Spring
2017

I pledge to give 10% of my income to non-profit or charity organizations once my income exceeds $60,000 annually, and I further pledge to donate at least 3 hours per month of my time to such organizations regardless of my income.

Anonymous

University of California, Los Angeles

Spring
2017

I pledge to generously donate my time and money in a way that is meaningful to the community throughout my lifetime.

Anonymous

University of California, Los Angeles

Spring
2017

I pledge to donate my available resources to philanthropic organizations throughout my lifetime, consisting mainly of my time until I have a stable job and income, at which point I will begin to add increasing percentages of my financial resources.

Anonymous

University of California, Los Angeles

Spring
2017

I pledge to donate all of my future income above $60,000/yr. to demonstrably effective charities. Below $60,000, I will donate between 10% and 30% of my income to effective charities, depending on the funds I need to support my family members. To increase the money I have available for giving, I will not buy new what can reasonably be purchased used. I will attempt to minimize my spending on all luxuries to increase the amount that I can give.