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!

Kasen Sharp

Texas A&M University

Spring
2025

I hope to give about 10% of my annual salary to philanthropic causes. This could be split between church, education, health, etc. I also want to give my knowledge and time to a nonprofit I care deeply about whenever I am available.

Karli Siptak

Texas A&M University

Spring
2025

Following graduation, I aim to keep philanthropy top of mind. I hope to not only give through monetary donations, but also through volunteering. One goal I have is to become involved in a nonprofit in the city I live and work to stay connected to the community. I hope to give to this nonprofit through volunteer work monthly. My second goal is to give some of my earnings to nonprofits starting small and working up to 7-8% of my salary around the 5 year mark. I hope to continue increasing my donations as I grow my own wealth as well. More than anything, I hope to be as intentional as possible with the places I choose to give my money.

Karissa Chow

University of Texas - McCombs

Spring
2025

I hope to give both time and money towards my community. This could be serving in my church as well as with local charities whose missions are aligned with my values or speak to me. Donating money will help support financial needs of my church or local charity, but pouring in time and volunteering will help me stay connected and involved at a different level.

Karina Pinto

Emory University

Spring
2025

I pledge to research 3-5 non profit organizations a year to allocate a percentage of my salary to.

Karen Hashimoto

University of Pennsylvania

Spring
2025

– I want to make regular monthly or bi-monthly donations to a nonprofit foundation that focuses on providing support for minority groups, women, and sheltered animals. – I want to participate in at least one volunteering event per year that focuses on supporting the local community I live in.

Kara Mathes

Texas A&M University

Spring
2025

I want to give 10% of my income to whatever church I am part of after graduation. Additionally depending on how much I am making, I would like to give any more of my income that I can towards causes that are important to me. I really value protecting the most vulnerable populations, including foster children, single moms, and survivors of domestic abuse and sex trafficking. Outside of giving financially to institutions and organizations, I want to lead an interruptible lifestyle. I want to be like the Good Samaritan in the story from the Bible. Upon seeing a naked, beaten, half-dead man laying on the side of the road, the Samaritan dressed his wounds, brought him to an inn to take care of him, and paid for his stay. I want to be able and willing to help my neighbors when they need it.