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

Spring
2016

I believe that I don’t need to wait until I can do something great in order to start doing good. I pledge to always remain aware of the privileges and opportunities I have, and use them to help others in any way I can. Currently this means giving my time, but with the success I hope to achieve in my life I pledge to also give monetarily. I also firmly believe in never staying stagnant, so I pledge to constantly re-evaluate myself and remain open to making changes in order to grow as a giver.

Anonymous

University of California, Los Angeles

Spring
2016

I believe in the positive power of direct service and I pledge to spend my life volunteering. I hope to pursue a career in the nonprofit sector, to dedicate my life to making the world a better place. I also believe that philanthropic giving is an equal partner in serving our local and global communities. So, I pledge to make charitable donations every year–including this one–not just around the end of the fiscal year or tax season. Even as a college student, I have the power to use my time and money for positive change and I will not squander my opportunity to start making an impact NOW.

Anonymous

University of California, Los Angeles

Spring
2016

I am a product of my community and of those who have selflessly helped and supported me. Without such nurturing guidance, I would not be where I am today and for that I am forever grateful. With this being said, I pledge to give both my time and money throughout my life starting now as an undergraduate student. In addition, while I plan to donate any amount of money that I am able to give, I will strive to give away 10% of the income annually and 15% of my acquired wealth when I pass away.

Anonymous

University of California, Los Angeles

Spring
2016

At this point in my life, I strive to volunteer my time to non-profits whether that be through helping facilitate events or helping coordinate fundraisers. In the future,I will give some percentage of my income to non-profits that provide services that I find worthy of my monetary resources. With my knowledge from taking a Philanthropy Lab course, I will make sure to thoroughly review the non-profits I support in order to maximize my funds towards meaningful causes.

Anonymous

Texas A&M University

Spring
2016

I pledge to start out giving 10% of my income. I also pledge to establish my standard of living and maintain that while giving away anything extra above the 10% as my means increase while also giving of my time consistently.

Anonymous

Texas A&M University

Spring
2016

I pledge to increase my giving to the organizations I already support by donating more of my time and money. I want to give away a total equal to or greater than 10% of my annual income. I will also remain open minded to new worthwhile giving opportunities and for ways to make a greater impact, such as through match campaigns.