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!

Ryan Wood

Washington University In St. Louis

Spring
2025

Give before retirement.

Ruth Yu

Washington University In St. Louis

Spring
2025

I plan on using what I learn in this class to develop a regular pattern of giving. The process of talking to and finding a donor trains me on what to look for when finding my own nonprofits to support. My goal is to start the first year of giving by regularly donating to two nonprofits and volunteering at one. Each year, I hope to either add another nonprofit I donate to or strengthen my commitment at one of my current ones. The causes I support are related to the environment, food insecurity, and education, but these will very possibly expand or change in the years to come.

Ruby Corzine

Washington University In St. Louis

Spring
2025

Give at least 10% of my income every year

Robert Allen

University of Texas - McCombs

Spring
2025

My goal is to donate 2% of my income initially to philanthropy, until I re-evaluate after three years when my career has advanced further.

Robbie Alatrash

Abilene Christian University

Spring
2025

My giving goal is to use 10% of my income for charitable work. When I have a family of my own, I would also like to make them a part of the giving process by allowing them to have a say in how the money is used.

Rishi Mehta

Texas A&M University

Spring
2025

I plan to donate 10% of my annual salary and volunteer with organizations that support those in the world that need it most. In my experience, most of these cases are abroad as they have significantly less resources that we do here. I feel drawn to help wherever I feel the need is greatest and the developing world has an immense amount of said need. Whether it be food insecurity, housing or any other struggles I plan on supporting with my time and money.