I hope to continue to give my time to causes that I find meaningful but I also hope to always, at minimum, give 5% of my salary to an institution/organization I think is doing important work.
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
Search for Giving Goals
Over 4,200+ course participants have written giving goals in a demonstration of leadership!
Maya Newell
- Spring
- 2025
My goal is to find nonprofits that focus on causes I am passionate about (such as children, health, and human services) and donate both my time and money. I would like to volunteer in some way at least once every month, whether that be volunteer hours or serving on a board for a nonprofit organization. As far as monetary donations, I am aiming to give 5% of my career earnings to philanthropic causes.
Maya Holloman
- Spring
- 2025
I would like to give at least 5% of my annual income to philanthropic organizations and volunteer my time at least once a month. I will not choose only one issue to give towards, but I will be sure that any organization that I invest my time or money into aligns with my own theory of change.
Maximilian Leifman
- Spring
- 2025
My giving goal is to consistently use my legal education to help others. I plan to lobby for legislation that promotes equity, and fight against bills that suppress minority voices. I also hope to volunteer at least 15 hours of my time per month working with non-profits that align with my core values, and I will dedicate an extra 5 hours each month to researching these organizations. In the long-run, I pledge to donate at least 5% of my income to different non-profits and charities that I believe are making the biggest difference is fighting for structural change, and I hope to increase my donation amount to 10% as my career grows.
Max Roquitte
- Spring
- 2025
Early in my career, I’d like to commit 2-3% of my salary annually to non-profits; later in life, I’d like to raise this to 5-10% or possibly higher if possible. As I continue to give back, I hope to use philanthropy as an opportunity to increase my awareness of pressing issues.
MAURICIO ORTIZ FERNANDEZ
- Spring
- 2025
I pledge to at least give some amount of income to non-profit organizations. As a young student living alone while working and studying my income is ver compromised. I hope that when I graduate I can give more to philanthropic organizations.