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
2015

By the age of 30, I will aim to give away at least 8% of my income

Anonymous

Baylor University

Fall
2015

Within the first five years of college graduation, I plan to give away 5% of my income. After the first five years, I hope to increase my pledge to at least 10%.

Anonymous

Baylor University

Fall
2015

I pledge two things. First, to focus a large part of the care I provide, as a physician, to the less fortunate and financially burdened. Second, to use my money to improve the literacy of the young and impoverished Hispanic children in the Rio Grande Valley because reading well can provide confidence and also provides for higher levels of education later in life.

Anonymous

Baylor University

Fall
2015

I pledge to give away at least 20% of my income once I’ve reached an income level that can sustain my family. And as my income increases I hope to be able to increase that percentage.

Anonymous

Baylor University

Fall
2015

I pledge to give at least 10% of my income before taxes to philanthropic causes, foundations, etc when I start my career.

Anonymous

Baylor University

Fall
2015

I pledge to give 10% of my income to charitable causes, regardless of my station in life. As tithing is a religious obligation I already planned to adhere to, this is nothing dramatic. I also include in this pledge a challenge to my future self to forfeit all anxiety of monetary concerns and desire for the things of this world. Granted my dependence on my parents’ financial help at this time, this statement is easily made. I will begin an intentional effort to reject my attachment to money by sacrificing one hour of my time each week to some charitable cause during my remaining two years at Baylor, in the hope that a giving spirit will come more naturally than it does today.