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!

Mehar Bajwa

Emory University

Spring
2025

I will volunteer my time for service organizations until I start making 6 figures and then will donate 5% of my salary each year.

Meghan Bailey

Texas Christian University

Spring
2025

I will initially set aside 5% of my income to donate to philanthropy directly impacting the arts. As I make more money, I hope to set aside 10%. I will create a separate bank account so that these funds are available to me when a cause excites me.

Megan Schulz

Harvard University

Spring
2025

My giving goal after I graduate from college is to donate about every year. I am not sure of the amount I will be able to give, but I would like to give money to schools that I attended in my community. Possibly starting with something small, like a $500 donation, and then more after that.

MEGAN HOLLAND

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Spring
2025

Once I have a full time job, I want to give 5% of my annual income to organizations that do hands-on work with unhoused individuals in my local community. My area of giving might change as I become more knowledgable on different topics. My goal will be to stay knowledgable on the programs and initiatives of the organizations that I fund, either through volunteering or other donor events.

McKinley Patteson

Abilene Christian University

Spring
2025

Currently, as a student, I am able to consistently give $30 a month to my church. In addition to this tithe, I give my time in service each week. As I continue to grad school, I hope to increase my tithe, and continue to give through service hours. However, once I have a job with a salary, I hope to begin giving 10% of my earnings. I am also interested in eventually starting a DAF so that I will be able to give in larger amounts to specifically chosen organizations.

Mckenna Beard

University of Texas - McCombs

Spring
2025

I plan to give a portion annually to charitable organizations that are meaningful to me and that I have carefully researched using the tools we learned in our Investing in Philanthropy class.