As I enter into the workforce, I would like to start out my giving my time through volunteer work. I would like to serve a local non-profit in my local community. I would love to volunteer at an organization that either meets basic human needs such as a food bank or homeless shelter, an organization that helps provide pregnancy resources to yo that provides or an organization that helps fight human trafficking since those are three causes that I am very passionate about. Once I am more established in my workforce I would like to give 5% salary to the organizations I serve with other organizations that are experiencing urgent needs. I would love to use that 5% to serve unexpected needs like communities that have been struck by natural disasters since that is also something that I am passionate about helping meet the needs of. I hope to further increase my giving goal and give back to organizations and causes that have served me.
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
Search for Giving Goals
Over 4,200+ course participants have written giving goals in a demonstration of leadership!
Tiffany Zhu
- Spring
- 2025
I hope that I continue working with youth and donate my time and knowledge into making the world an easier place to grow up. When I am in a financially stable position, I hope to contribute monetary donations to organizations that support this broad mission.
Theodore Perl
- Spring
- 2025
As an NGO founder, I firsthand see the impact of giving. I pledge to give 5% of my income to impact work that I find inspirational. I also pledge to continue supporting social venture organizations rather than large corporate entities.
Thea Santiago
- Spring
- 2025
When I have a stable career/job, I give 5% of my income to philanthropic actions. I believe that giving to others can be random and that opportunities to act on this will present themselves to me.
Tess Griffith
- Spring
- 2025
After graduation, my goal is to donate 10% of my salary as tithes to help the people in my community. Additionally, my bigger goal is to donate my time in a manner that is fruitful and supports those around me. Currently, I serve in Kids Ministry at my church and hope to continue donating my time in this way after I graduate. Additionally, I hope to encourage the people around me in the importance of giving both for advancement of the community and personal development.
Taylor James
- Spring
- 2025
When I am at a point where I can give money, to give it somewhere where it can have tangible impact.