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 info@thephilanthropylab.org

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!

Anonymous

Washington University In St. Louis

Spring 2026

100

Anonymous

University of Texas - Ugrad

Spring 2026

I want to spend time volunteering at a local nonprofit (whatever location I end up) at least on a monthly basis. I want to work/have had experience working in the philanthropy space, and working towards equitable giving for small and low-income nonprofit organizations. If I don’t work in philanthropy, I hope to still make a social impact in whatever it is that I am doing; whether it’s thinktank work or important research on global affairs or something else entirely. I want my future self to remember my oath in the BDP 101 class, on committing to actionable service. I want my future self to reflect on how I continue to uphold this oath” beyond college. May my youthful ambition never die!”

Michael McBryde King

Columbia University

Spring 2026

As I am not certain of my financial abilities in the near future, I cannot commit myself to a specific monetary amount. Having said that, I will continue to donate my time to the cause dearest to my heart: helping students achieve their University dreams by assisting with admissions/transfer applications and applying to as many universities and scholarships as they see fit! Being on the receiving end of philanthropy, let me know firsthand how it can be a life-changing experience, and I want as many students as possible to reap the same rewards I have! Once I have both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in hand, I will reassess my abilities and make firm commitments to the charities of my choice.

Anonymous

University of Texas - Ugrad

Spring 2026

In the future, I hope I can donate some of my time to nonprofits that are important to me. My goal is to at least volunteer 10hrs per month. Once I graduate and have a stable job, I hope I can donate at least 5% of my annual income to local nonprofits that are important to me. Taking this class made me realize the importance of the nonprofit sector and how even the smallest help can make a great impact on someone’s life.

Anonymous

Harvard University

Spring 2026

I want to give back around 2% of my monthly income to charities of my choice (helping out refugees, legal funds for immigration/incarceration, environmental, etc.) when I’m first starting out my career. When I am in grad school (law, business, med), I know I won’t have income to donate, so I will want to donate my time to whatever extracurricular or volunteer opportunity will allow me to do so. If I were to have a stable career with increasing income, I want to be able to donate to places that allow me to make the most good to the most impoverished people on the globe (or animals, if it’s environmental). Whatever current event that is happening, I want to donate to! I hope to teach my kids to donate as well, so it could be a chain reaction for my family :).

Anonymous

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Spring 2026

My giving goal is to support civil engagement initiatives that promote a Bridging of the Political Divide.