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

Stanford University

Spring
2017

I pledge to consistently reevaluate my behavior pertaining to the pursuit of justice: am I living frugally and spending ethically beyond my basic needs; have I challenged my moral beliefs and maintained discourse with others; is my career self-serving or oriented toward some greater good?

Anonymous

Stanford University

Spring
2017

I pledge to be a lifelong advocate for social change and human rights. I plan to volunteer my skill set in my professional career to aiding nonprofits in their quest for social change and the protection of human rights and / or to donate at least 10% of my income once I have become financially stable enough to amply support my family and myself.

Anonymous

Rice University

Spring
2017

When I have paid off most of my debt from both undergraduate and graduate school, I will donate 10% of my income to organizations that support women’s empowerment including reproductive rights, civil rights, girl’s education, and anti-sexual assault initiatives. Additionally, I plan on dedicating at least 10-15 hours/week (both in a professional and personal setting) to a non-profit or policy organization that engages in women’s rights work.

Anonymous

Rice University

Spring
2017

When I am financially stable, I plan to donate 10% of my annual savings to a non-profit organization that supports international development. Upon graduation, I plan to start volunteering five to ten hours of my time per month at programs that support refugee resettlement.

Anonymous

Rice University

Spring
2017

When I am financially stable, I intend to donate 10% of my income to charity organizations that align with my philanthropic views. I will also spend a certain number of hours each week on volunteering with non-profits. I will be an advocate for education inequality and sustainable housing for communities, particularly in less-developed and disaster prone areas.

Anonymous

Rice University

Spring
2017

Upon graduating next May, I plan to donate 10% of my annual income and a large portion of my time to philanthropic causes advocating for equal rights and/or international development. I will not only donate this time and money, but stay in contact with these donations, monitoring the success and needs of the organization.