My giving goal is to create long-lasting systematic change in overlooked areas like health and education for women and other marginalized groups by donating and actively participating in organizations that reflect these same values.
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
Search for Giving Goals
Over 4,200+ course participants have written giving goals in a demonstration of leadership!
Kaelan McBrayer
- Spring
- 2025
While working part-time, I want to commit to donating 5-7% of my yearly income to charities I have thoroughly evaluated. Once I graduate and have obtained a full-time job and financial security, I want to commit to donating 7-10% of my yearly income. I will always take the time to fully vet and review a charity before donating.
Joye Wingard
- Spring
- 2025
Upon reflection on my post-giving goals, what sticks out to me most is being able to have a positive impact on at least one individual who has struggled with their mental health due to the time they spent in foster care. The particular issue we are addressing often goes unnoticed, and many affected individuals fly under the radar. You can see these effects even in the early research on nonprofits, and very few focus specifically on foster care and mental health. I hope to make affected individuals feel seen and heard, hopefully raising awareness of this issue.
Joy Fulton
- Spring
- 2025
Upon graduation, I desire to give 15% of my income annually to philanthropic purposes. I hope to give 10% of this income towards the church that I am attending or Christian-based organizations. I hope to give 5% of this to other philanthropic organizations that I am passionate about such as freeing children overseas from slavery and trafficking. Eventually, I hope to give 25% of my income annually to these philanthropic purposes. No matter the amount I give, I desire to love on and serve God’s children through any capacity I am able.
Josh Kaplan
- Spring
- 2025
I would like to support charities both locally and abroad. Both those I have benefitted from, and those I have not. I would like to support those I have benefited from, wether my high school, college, other educational institutions, religious institutions, etc. As a member of the Jewish community, I would like to give back to both the local jewish community which am I part of, as well as to organizations abroad. Specifically, I intend to support organizations supporting the development, safety, and security of the State of Israel. I have had many opportunities to volunteer there in the past, and I would love to continue to support it throughout my life. It is a crucial part of who I am and my identity, and I will work to use my resources and time to ensure it remains strong, vibrant, and secure. I plan to give small amounts after I graduate, and continue to increase giving as I earn more money and have additional giving capacity.
Josh Kaplan
- Spring
- 2025
I have benefited immensely from organizations that receive funding from donors: schools, synagogues, college, and other nonprofits. I also have had the pleasure of working with nonprofits. From volunteering to teach local students in NYC literacy skills to painting on a Kibbutz in the south of Israel in the wake of the October 7th terror attack. I’ve volunteered at soup kitchens and packed food at food pantries. I’m inspired by the Jewish concept of “Tzedekah”, a core tenet of my belief, and the values my parents instilled in me of giving back if I am able to. Many of the institutions I have benefited from have been enabled by the giving of people who are of the generation of my grandparents, great-grandparents, and beyond. I will set a goal to give 10% of my available income to charity. I would like to support charities I have benefited from, as well as those that I believe are aligned with my values, doing good in the world, and are responsible stewards of donor money. I would also like to continue to volunteer my time and effort — whether I am volunteering to help run the programming or serving on the board of a nonprofit.