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 Wisconsin-Madison

Fall
2016

My goal is to give 8% of my income to organizations with the main areas of focus targeting mental health and education.

Anonymous

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Fall
2016

In the long run (once I am well-established in my career and have sorted out my other major priorities like paying off my student loans, finding a partner, starting a family, etc.), my goal is to contribute at least 10% of my income to two organizations whose service and work I admire (those organizations are yet to be determined), and another 5% to different organizations whose campaigns catch my interest (they will be different organizations each year).

Anonymous

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Fall
2016

In my professional career, I would like to be able to donate money or in-kind donations to organizations that support children, people suffering from mental illness, and people suffering from other illnesses. My eventual goal in life is to open a nonprofit mental health rehabilitation facility for low income individuals.

Anonymous

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Fall
2016

I will give a minimum of 10 to 15 percent of my income to nonprofit organizations that work for justice and rights for marginalized people in this country, especially organizations that are small and local. I will also support them with my time, whether that’s through a job or volunteer work.

Anonymous

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Fall
2016

I pledge to make monthly donations to organizations working toward social justice and environmental sustainability in order to support efforts toward making my community a safe and welcome space for all.

Anonymous

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Fall
2016

I pledge to give 10% of my salary after graduation to local non-profit organizations that share my enthusiasm for environmental conservation and protecting the natural resources of my community.