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

Winter
2016

Once I have accumulated enough wealth to comfortably provide for my family’s needs and have the resources needed to advocate for the causes I feel strongly about, I will gradually give away my wealth in a manner that creates the most benefit to society, while still allowing for my children to prosper in the future.

Anonymous

University of California, Los Angeles

Winter
2016

Once I have a steady income and am no longer dependent on my parents, I plan to donate 10% of my earnings to organizations I am passionate about. I pledge to continuously donate my time to these non-profits in the meantime.

Anonymous

University of California, Los Angeles

Winter
2016

No matter where I am in life, I pledge to use my non-monetary resources including my network and my volunteer time, to aid causes important to me. By the time I have an income of $40,000 dollars or more I plan on giving away 5% of my income to a worthy cause. By the time I have a family and am earning a combined income of $100,000 or more, I plan to give up to 15% of my income. When I die I plan to give half of my cash assets to a worthy cause identified over my life time, while the other half goes to my children in a safe and non-destructive trust fund plan.

Anonymous

University of California, Los Angeles

Winter
2016

I pledge to spend at least a day in each week engaged in a philanthropic activity, and to donate a meaningful monetary amount consistently each year as soon as my student debt is cleared.

Anonymous

University of California, Los Angeles

Winter
2016

I pledge to give 10% of my income once I am financially stable and capable of doing so.

Anonymous

University of California, Los Angeles

Winter
2016

I pledge to dedicate my career to service whether it be in the nonprofit or public service sectors. I also pledge to donate 20% of my wealth to charity once I die, leaving the other 80% to my children. Finally, I pledge to donate 10% of my earned income while I am alive.