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

I pledge that throughout my career I will give a percent of my annual income to non-profit organizations I believe in, in addition to working in service of the public interest. After I have paid off my student loan debt in full, I will give at least 10% of my income every year.

Anonymous

University of California, Los Angeles

Winter
2016

I pledge that once I accumulate a steady net income of at least $60,000 I will give 9% in charitable giving and philanthropic endeavors, that this percentage will increase in the case that my income does, and that 50% of my assets be left to these causes in the case of my death. Furthermore I pledge to at least 30 hours of my time a year to volunteering/philanthropic events.

Anonymous

University of California, Los Angeles

Winter
2016

I plan to generously give away my time and money throughout my lifetime, regardless of my personal financial situation at any given time. If I have less, I will give a bit less, but if I have more, I will give much more. Not a single day will go by that I don’t help someone in some way.

Anonymous

University of California, Los Angeles

Winter
2016

By the time I have stability in my life or by the age of 30, I plan to give away 15% of my annual earnings. Upon my death, I intend to give away a minimum of 50% of my assets.

Anonymous

University of California, Los Angeles

Winter
2016

By the time I have a steady job and salary, I pledge to give 10% of my income and time to both local and national causes.

Anonymous

University of California, Los Angeles

Winter
2016

At which point I gain full time employment, I pledge to work towards giving away 15% of my annual earning. I will start by saving 5% the first year, and donating the funds to a well researched, deserving non-profit organization. Each year thereafter, I will increase the percentage by 1%. After my first 10 years of employment, and every year thereafter, I will donate 15% of my annual income. I chose to stagger my contributions in this way to help myself maintain the routine of giving.