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 donate 10% of my income every month to charity, after I have acquired a job and paid off my student loans.

Anonymous

University of California, Los Angeles

Spring
2017

I pledge to continue to give 10% of my income to charitable causes and volunteer my time and services in various ways both domestically and internationally.

Anonymous

University of California, Los Angeles

Spring
2017

I pledge to be a lifelong philanthropist in the true sense of the word: man-loving. Whether I am rich or poor, I will always seek to benefit others in whichever way is most effective at a given moment. When it is best to give money to the needy, I will give generously; when a helping hand is needed more than dollars, I will give my time, my energy, my empathy, and my skills; when I see injustice or misfortune, I will not be silent or avert my eyes, and will instead use my expertise to take action. Most of all, I pledge to always be compassionate and non-judgmental of others, proactively seek to make the world a more beautiful place, and not allow any ideology to interfere with my helping improve the lives of the less fortunate.

Anonymous

University of California, Los Angeles

Spring
2017

I pledge that when my income reaches $50,000 or more and I am debt-free, I will donate 10% of my income to non-profit organization. No matter my salary or financial stability, however, I will always donate as much of my time as possible to charitable causes.

Anonymous

University of California, Los Angeles

Spring
2017

I pledge that throughout my professional career and personal life, I will continue to become more involved with philanthropy and charitable causes. Not only will I try my best to financially support different causes and effect positive change, but also I will strive to raise awareness about issues that really matter.

Anonymous

University of California, Los Angeles

Spring
2017

I pledge that my life hereafter will have philanthropy in its center; as soon as I get my first job, I will donate 3.7% – a number dear to me – of my income and upon retirement, I will set up a foundation to help a population in a more systematic way that I judge fit. The communities I focus will vary, but will reflect the pressing issues at the time.