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!

Sara Rados

Texas Christian University

Spring
2025

I aim to thoughtfully and consistently give 5% of my annual salary to nonprofit organizations whose missions align with my values. My giving will be intentional, informed, and sustained—supporting causes that promote equity, access to education, environmental sustainability, and community well-being. I commit to researching the organizations I support to ensure they are impactful, transparent, and aligned with long-term systemic change.

Samuel Ash

Abilene Christian University

Spring
2025

As I build my career, I would like to actively give monetarily to immediate needs both locally and internationally. I would also like to invest in programs that will benefit communities in the future, such as research and education. In addition to financially giving, I hope to build a career that allows me to help others through the work I do on a daily basis. With that in mind, I expect my giving to scale with my success, whether that involves giving a larger percentage of my income or devoting a greater amount of my time and focus.

Samiksha Vittalraj

Emory University

Spring
2025

I want to help organizations and causes in my local community. It is important to me because I hope I can help in more ways, beyond giving, such as volunteering, attending fundraising events, and outreach. I hope to give at least 5% of income over the next 5 years, 10% over the next 10 years, and 15% over the next 15 years. I hope to increase my giving goals over time and my impact in my community. I wish to give more to my community than I receive.

Sam Ha

Harvard University

Spring
2025

I want to donate yearly (once I am financially stable) to causes that I care about and still volunteer within my local community.

Salem Lawrence Black

University of Texas

Spring
2025

Texas is an acidic state for many a marginalized person. Harmful legislation and caustic attitudes towards immigrants and queer people alike make this state equal parts dangerous and heartbreaking. Thus, I do not find it within my morals and my future to abandon people in need here, despite the dangers presented to myself. I want to pledge myself to local causes like homeless shelters, refugee centers, and hospice care stations for underserved people living with incurable diseases like HIV/AIDS. I learned that it isn’t a monetary pledge that should inhabit my goal, but rather a commitment to my peers and siblings who need people like them advocating for causes neglected and abandoned. I hope that I find a salary comfortable enough to be able to donate regularly, I hope I spend time working in the nonprofit sector before I settle down, if I ever do, and I hope my volunteer work with a local Austin charity never stops, until the need is no longer present. That is my goal, to work until there is no longer a need for my services. Even if it works me until I’m gone.

Sailor May

Baylor University

Spring
2025

I will like to give $200 within the two years post graduation from Baylor University. I would then like to bump it up to $500 after those two years, and see how that works!