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

Baylor University

Spring
2017

I pledge to give my life away for the sake of others and the gospel. I pledge to support local businesses, be an active and inclusive member of my community, and give myself to the building of the church. I pledge to use my career as a platform for positive influence. I pledge to invest in my family and the next generation, empower young girls and women, and to stay informed and involved on issues of injustice with clarity and compassion. I pledge to value inclusion and diversity, and to live relationally and intentionally in such a way that creates scalable and multi-generational impact.

Anonymous

Baylor University

Spring
2017

I pledge to give a minimum of 10% of my income annually, scalable based upon financial position at the time, and to grow my family to be mindfully generous. I pledge to volunteer weekly in some capacity, whether it be at church or with a non-profit organization.

Anonymous

Baylor University

Spring
2017

I pledge to give 10% of my income as soon as I have a steady income to charitable organizations that serve my community. I also pledge to give regularly of my time to volunteer and serve with the organizations I support with my financial giving.

Anonymous

Baylor University

Spring
2017

I pledge to give 10 percent of my income to organizations and groups who are dedicated to assisting and empowering individuals who can not do it on their own.

Anonymous

Baylor University

Spring
2017

I pledge to donate at least 10-15% of my gross income to the church for the rest of my life. In addition to this, I will pray intentionally at the beginning of each quarter about ways I feel challenged to give to the community through time, money, and/or service.

Anonymous

Baylor University

Spring
2017

I pledge to continue micro-financing $25 through Kiva. I also pledge to give 10% of my annual income to my congregation, as well as an additional 2% to local non-profit organizations.