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!

Simon Stumbris

Emory University

Spring
2025

Financial Giving Goal I pledge to donate at least 20% of my lifetime wealth to impactful charities and foundations that align with my values. Inspired by philanthropists like Warren Buffett but tailored to my own priorities, my giving will focus on racial equity, LGBTQ+ rights, and broader social justice initiatives. Each organization I support will be carefully vetted to ensure it creates meaningful and lasting change. However, my commitment to giving is flexible and will grow with my financial capacity. Once I have a clear understanding of what is needed for my family and a limited number of my descendants to live comfortably, I intend to significantly increase my charitable contributions. If I accumulate more wealth than I need, I will give even more to the causes I care about most. Time-Based Giving Goal Starting immediately, I commit to volunteering at least one weekend per month in a structured and intentional way. My goal is to go beyond sporadic participation and dedicate my time consistently to organizations that make a tangible impact. Long-Term Engagement Goal Beyond financial contributions and hands-on volunteering, I aspire to serve on the board of a nonprofit dedicated to empowering marginalized communities. By leveraging my leadership skills and network, I aim to drive sustainable, systemic change within organizations that share my commitment to equity and justice.

Sidonie Brown

Harvard University

Spring
2025

I hope to give annually and thoughtfully to a myriad of organizations across causes. Once financially stable, I plan on giving 3-5% of my income each year or more.

Sidney Smith

Baylor University

Spring
2025

While I am still in school, once per week I will skip getting a coffee or eating out and save that money to donate at the end of the year. After I graduate, I would like to donate 5% of my salary and at least 50 hours of volunteer service per year.

Shuhan Wen

University of Pennsylvania

Spring
2025

I aspire to give in a way that creates meaningful and lasting impact. My goal is to contribute both my time and resources to causes that align with my values, such as education, environmental sustainability, and social justice. In the short term, I plan to donate a portion of my income regularly, volunteer with organizations that support underprivileged communities, and mentor young professionals to help them achieve their goals. In the long term, I hope to establish a sustainable giving strategy, such as setting up a charitable fund or supporting initiatives that drive long-term change. I believe that generosity goes beyond financial contributions—it includes sharing knowledge, time, and skills to uplift others. Through my giving, I aim to empower individuals, strengthen communities, and inspire others to give as well. Ultimately, I want my giving to be a reflection of my values and a force for positive change in the world.

Sherlyn Lopez

University of Texas

Spring
2025

My giving goal would be one through advocacy and through financial means. I would begin in giving in the slighest means likely 5 years after college, especially after establishing a career/stable job, afterwards the percentage that I give will increase along with my salary.

Sheng-An Lai

University of Texas - McCombs

Spring
2025

I aspire to donate 5% of my income to an organization that aligns with my values. Currently, I am particularly passionate about children’s protection, immigrant rights, and community development. As my financial situation improves, I plan to gradually increase this percentage to 10%. If my schedule permits, I would love to volunteer or even join the board of the organization. I believe that my personal giving philosophy should not be static but rather evolve over time. As I gain more experience and knowledge, I hope to find a balanced way to contribute to philanthropy that truly resonates with me.