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!

Kyara Ralliford

Columbia University

Spring
2025

To give 1% of my income to organizations that supply individuals with basic necessities, such as access to healthcare, clothing, food, and shelter

Kristine Acevedo

Columbia University

Spring
2025

Due to my love of natural history museums, I want to eventually become a member, patron, or fellow of at least 2 museums in the near future. As my financial resources grow, I intend to increase my donations. In addition to donating to natural history museums, I will donate to other organizations like the New York City Ballet. By doing so, I hope to continue bridging the gap between the arts, history, and the youth.

Kit Akinluyi

Columbia University

Spring
2025

I aim to support charities that seek to improve communities that lack basic infrastructure throughout New York. I am for them to do this in perpetuity and help them acquire the resources to be able to do this.

Kinsey Dungan

Texas A&M University

Spring
2025

My giving goal is to give at least 10% to my church of all of my income, but on top of that I would love to evaluate how much more I can give to local nonprofits that I am passionate about. I would specifically love to give 5% to organizations that are helping the disability community. Ultimately I just want to hold my income with open hands to being able to give what I can!

Kendra W.

University of Pennsylvania

Spring
2025

goal

Kelsey Doran

Texas A&M University

Spring
2025

For my future in philanthropy, I want to educate myself further and better understand the nonprofit sector and its impact on marginalized groups. Once I do this, I want to effectively spread more awareness and understanding about nonprofits, and I want to help increase community engagement so that nonprofits can better be supported and more accessible. In terms of my own engagement, I am interested in supporting human rights and expanding access to essential needs and services, and I hope to be able to eventually donate 5-10% of my yearly salary. I also hope to be able to volunteer on a routine basis. Lastly, I want to eventually be able to offer any knowledge or perspective that may be useful to nonprofits and the communities that they serve. Through these specific goals, I hope that a compounding positive impact can be made, and I also hope that it will eventually inspire others to enact their own plans to help.