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Our goal is to ignite students'
interest and participation in philanthropy
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Become A Philanthropy Lab Partner
The Philanthropy Lab is pleased to expand our programming to new universities, fulfilling our mission of igniting students’ interest and participation in philanthropy.
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Diary of a Budding Philanthropist
Emory Ambassador, Ian Wang, reflects on his experience at the Ambassadors Conference
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Granted
$ 0
Grants Awarded
0
Students
0
Classes Offered
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Universities
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$19,210,685

Granted

1,724

Grants Awarded

5,190

Students

255

Classes Offered

34

Universities

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We asked over 1200 Students how the Philanthropy Lab course stacks up against other courses at their university.

0 %

of those students said the Philanthropy Lab course was in their top 10% of all college classes.

0 %

of those students said the Philanthropy Lab course was in their top 25%.

Resources

Grant Map

Click below to view all grants awarded by students in Philanthropy Lab courses since 2010.

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Giving Goals

Warren Buffett and Bill Gates have called for the most affluent people in the world to demonstrate philanthropic leadership by committing to give away a large amount of their wealth to charitable causes. Many of these high net worth individuals and couples make their pledges public in order to inspire others’ personal giving commitments. As college students who have not yet embarked upon a career, now is the time to thoughtfully consider your own philanthropic ideals in a Giving Goal.

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Grant Evaluations

Through the evaluation of past grants, we hope students further challenge their assumptions about giving, thoughtfully reflect on their grant-making decisions and initial goals for providing the grants, and contribute to future students’ learning.

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What People Are Saying

Alex KuoCornell University
The course has taught me different ways of viewing Ithaca. When you go to school and live near the school, and your friend circle is so limited to the school, you certainly get a limited view of the town you live in. I am grateful for the opportunity to visit different sites, listen to interesting speakers and have the chance to make an impact in a town that I'm staying for 2 years. It shaped my way of thinking and I want to bring the knowledge to the next city I go.
Adebusola AnibiCornell University
The Philanthropy Lab course has significantly transformed my approach to charitable giving. Initially, I viewed philanthropy as a way to address urgent needs, such as food and shelter. However, through this course, I learned to appreciate the diverse roles that various organizations, including those in the arts and education, play in enriching communities. The discussions and case studies challenged my assumptions and encouraged me to reflect on my values. I now understand the importance of considering both immediate needs and long-term impact in my giving.
Mason Shaver Washington University in St. Louis
Before Philanthropy Lab, I never saw myself as a funder, I viewed my role as someone who could give time, not resources. Through working with classmates to evaluate nonprofits and allocate funding, I began to see myself as someone who can contribute financially and advocate for impact. It showed me that even as a college student, small contributions matter, and I now actively give to causes I care about. I hope to continue growing that giving as I develop in my career.
Gracie O'RorkeVanderbilt University
One of the biggest shifts in my thinking has been about the role of giving in addressing systemic issues. Instead of just looking at what organizations need immediately, I’ve started to think more about the long-term effects that a donation can have, particularly when it's directed toward sustainable, mission-aligned initiatives. This has influenced the way I think about charitable giving: it's not only about helping someone today but also about fostering long-term change that can reduce the need for future aid
Maegan DaherUniversity of Notre Dame
What’s had the biggest impact on me is how this class has made me think about what I want to do with my salary and career after graduation. Before, I was mostly focused on landing a job and figuring out the transition into post-college life. But now, I’m much more interested in how I can use my resources to give back—whether that’s through donations, volunteering, or just being more mindful of how I spend my time and money in a way that aligns with the causes I care about. As a senior, it’s been really exciting to think about my future in this way. It’s not just about finding a job; it’s about finding ways to make a real impact, both locally and on a broader scale.
Bonnie NicholsAbilene Christian University
To be able to give away such a large sum of money as a young adult was very special. This course made me get deeply invested in the non-profits I was researching and gave me a true passion for their missions, has inspired me to be a generous giver in my adult life, and made me think about how important generous givers are to our society and people in need. The course has also motivated me to succeed in my career so that one day I can give even more that I would have imagined I'd be able to.
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