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

Fall
2016

I pledge to give at minimum 10 percent of my income to organization that address physical, emotional, or spiritual needs. I also pledge to give part of my time to serving others and volunteering with the organizations which I support.

Anonymous

Baylor University

Fall
2016

I pledge to give at least 10% of my salary each year as well as ask God at the beginning of each year if I should give an additional percentage of my salary away for that year. If the answer is yes, I will give that additional percentage of my salary for that year.

Anonymous

Baylor University

Fall
2016

I pledge to give a minimum of 10-15% of my income to charitable causes throughout my life once I have a steady income. I will give of my time by volunteering and investing in charitable organizations. Additionally, I pledge to utilize whatever influence I have to support the charitable causes and organizations in my community.

Anonymous

Baylor University

Fall
2016

I pledge to give a baseline 10% of my monthly income, giving more should my salary allow. Additionally, I pledge at least 5 hours of my time a month to volunteer at non-profit organizations in my community.

Anonymous

Baylor University

Fall
2016

I pledge to give 15% of my income to my church. In addition, I want to have 5-10% set aside for various nonprofit and charitable organizations I am personally involved in or attached to. I pledge to consistently give my time and intellectual resources to help organizations in any way I can.

Anonymous

Baylor University

Fall
2016

I pledge to give 15% of my income each year to various social sector organizations, including church, local organizations addressing hunger or poverty in some way, and international organizations. Five years after graduation (provided I am not in graduate school), I will increase that percentage to 25%. I also intend to give of my time and skills by volunteering with local organizations and working as a teacher in areas with great need.