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!

KEELY HAAS

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Spring
2025

I would like to pledge at least 5% of my future income to philanthropic purposes. After critically engaging in our work in this course and with the organizations we have awarded grants, I found that the donated funds have a much deeper meaning and impact, not only with myself, but with the gratitude and pride I feel for the organizations. I wish to be a part of the organization’s community and give in ways of my time and talent in addition to monetary giving. I hope to give my time, talent and treasure to groups working to protect and preserve the environment and those who are addressing systemic issues through building trust and relationships.

Keelin E Sayers

University of Texas

Spring
2025

In the future, I do think although hard to think about, I want to try to give back to non-profits every other month through donation and in the months I do not donate, I want to volunteer. In this way, I think that the knowledge and skills I learned from this class could be used to evaluate non-profits on a more personal level and really determine if they are fulfilling their mission statement’s goals. I would hope that at the end of the year 5 percent of my income is provided to local non-profits that I see making a worthwhile impactful difference.

Kathryn Johnson

Abilene Christian University

Spring
2025

My goal is to be generous with what the Lord has entrusted to me, recognizing that none of the resources I have are truly mine—they belong to Him. Throughout my childhood, my family modeled what it means to give to others in various ways, and I hope to take that a step further by being generous to the point of sacrificing some of my own desires and wants in order to meet the needs and desires of others. In Matthew 6, Jesus teaches us to give in secret, not boasting or drawing attention to our generosity, because the Lord sees and knows our hearts. Ultimately, nothing of this world will last, and I want to live with that eternal perspective as I faithfully give to others.

Kathleen Irvin Loughlin

University of Texas - McCombs

Spring
2025

My giving goal is to give away 10% of my annual income.

Katherine L Matthews

University of Texas - McCombs

Spring
2025

I hope to give 5% of my income every year.

Katherine Van Drunen

Texas Christian University

Spring
2025

I think giving is a combination of time, talent, and treasure. With my time, I would like to volunteer in my community to serve those in need. With my talent, I will search for career opportunities at companies doing their part to help society. Lastly, with my treasure, I would like to direct 10% of my income to various non-profit organizations every month, every 6 months, or once a year, depending on needs. By following this model, I will set myself up for a future of holistic giving.