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 Pennsylvania

Spring
2016

In my first year out of college, I pledge to give $1,000 to charity. As long as I am financially stable, I pledge to give at least that amount annually, and gradually work up to giving 5% of my income each year.

Anonymous

University of Pennsylvania

Spring
2016

I pledge to volunteer/invest my time to different organizations or charities of my choosing after I graduate for at least 30 hours on an annual basis. I pledge to donate a portion of my annual earnings once I am on solid financial footing in the future. I pledge to build relationships with any organization that I feel passionate about so that others may then support said organization.

Anonymous

University of Pennsylvania

Spring
2016

I pledge to volunteer/invest my time in a charitable, nonprofit organization of my choosing for at least 25 hours annually post graduation and up this number of hours as my schedule becomes more felxible. I hope to make a committed, lifelong relationship with a community group. I also pledge to donate a certain percentage of my income to local charities once I consider myself financially established, and once decided I pledge to never decrease that baseline percentage regardless of how my income fluctuates.

Anonymous

University of Pennsylvania

Spring
2016

I pledge to volunteer my time and talents to non-profit organizations at least one day per month. I also pledge to donate at least 5% of my income to a non-profit organization or organizations after graduation, and to increase the total value of my gifts annually.

Anonymous

University of Pennsylvania

Spring
2016

I pledge to volunteer my time and talents to non-profit organizations at least four days per month. I also pledge to donate 5% of my income to a non-profit organization or organizations after graduation, and to increase the total value of my gifts annually.

Anonymous

University of Pennsylvania

Spring
2016

I pledge to volunteer my time and labor for at least 10 hours per month, plus social media or real world marketing and advocacy on a weekly basis for organizations and causes which I feel passionate about. I will donate money when/if I can until I graduate and have gained a steady income. In the future, I hope to donate 5% of my income to charitable causes.