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!

Lillie Falcon

University of Texas

Spring
2025

I am committing 5% of my salary to donating to children that are in need of a secure and nurturing home environment. Whether that be in foster care or into programs that help develop kids. Through this commitment, I would like to be part of shaping a future where all children feel loved and secure.

Lillian Dickenson

Baylor University

Spring
2025

My giving goal will start after I graduate from my master’s program. I will give my time, money, and career to working with migrants and refugees in order to make a small impact on the broad issue.

LILITH WEHRS

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Spring
2025

In my future I see myself giving back through various means of donation. This means I want to donate any available money I have to social justice causes that align with my values. This may be locally or nationally, and will vary based on cause. I want to donate my time and volunteer for events and organizations that I find are doing good work in the community. More generally I also want to be an active member in my community and local politics, as well as spending my money intentionally.

Lena McEachern

Stanford University

Spring
2025

I want to give locally in my community to the library.

Leia Sahyoun

Emory University

Spring
2025

In the short term, I plan to continue volunteering with LaAmistad, an organization providing academic support for Atlanta students. Once I begin full-time employment, I intend to donate to local NGOs in Lebanon, where the US dollar has a significant impact. In the long term, I aim to contribute ten percent of my income to causes I deeply care about and, if financially possible, help fund a girls’ school in Lebanon.

Leanne Alvarado

Harvard University

Spring
2025

– I hope to give $300 towards an organization of my choosing within 2 years of graduation