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

Boston University

Spring 2026

My personal giving goal is to be open to constant reevaluation, perform research to find new impactful opportunities, and give to organizations that maximize their contributions to charitable causes.

Anonymous

University of Texas - Ugrad

Spring 2026

After being able to allocate some of the class funds to a charity that I helped to champion, I wanted to pledge my time and a percentage of my salary in the future to non-profit organizations. Once I graduate with my bachelor’s, my goal is to donate at least 5 hours of my time to volunteer work every two weeks, and once I get out of graduate school, I want to be able to donate at least 5% of my annual income to well-run, deserving charities that will be sustainable in the long run and give with dignity.

Anonymous

University of Texas - MBA

Spring 2026

Start participating in a payroll giving program. Find opportunities for skills-based volunteering, such as tutoring in math or providing career guidance.

Anonymous

University of Washington

Spring 2026

I want to work and support those less fortunate within my community through both performing acts of service through volunteering at local organizations and commit toward working with my local community to create meaningful change.

Anonymous

Vanderbilt University

Spring 2026

My giving goal is to continue supporting infants, young children, and youth across the United States. There are many children that are living in marginalized communities and conditions and through nonprofits can be so well supported to enhance their development. I have done a great amount of studying on how important development in the early years of life is and think it is my duty to continue supporting children for those reasons.

Anonymous

University of Texas - Ugrad

Spring 2026

After graduating and settling into my teaching job, my goal is to be able to dedicate more to fine arts-centered organizations, not only financially but with time and volunteering contributions. I feel strongly about supporting the arts in schools, especially giving young children the opportunity to be creative and express themselves in a safe space. I would like to (continue to) contribute to performing arts organizations local to me, as they all have much to offer. Though I may have less time on my hands as a full-time educator, I will make it a goal to make space to volunteer more of my time in these spaces in the future.