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!

Jordan McMurtry

Texas A&M University

Spring
2025

Once I secure a full-time job, I plan to commit 5% of my salary to support local nonprofits focused on child care, homelessness, and spiritual development. As my income grows, I intend for my giving to grow as well, both in amount and in reach. While I’m passionate about uplifting my local community, I also aspire to expand my impact globally by supporting international causes aligned with these values.

Joan Lovelyn B Osho

University of Texas

Spring
2025

My Giving Goal is to always give in one way or another whether that is through money, volunteering, working — I want to be a light for some people or a part of change in one’s life and I strive to continue to do so, especially for those that feel like they cannot do it by themselves and are underrepresented. At the conclusion of my philanthropy course in school, my class decided on six good non-profits, but I can’t lie, it really felt like people only voted on known organizations/ things they were familiar with, if that makes sense. Not to downplay any non-profit, I think that nonprofits that are international do get enough support worldwide and because they are big they have proven to be successful and more “trustworthy” but I do think it is important that we do advocate for the smaller organizations as well that are local or less known because they need support too and are working to help serious issues as well. I say all this because this is an example of giving that I want to make sure I do and that is highlight/ take time to help the nonprofits that do not get enough attention but are performing well.

JJ Drummond

Harvard University

Spring
2025

My giving goal is to donate 5% of my income annually and continue to give through volunteering abroad at orphanages and children’s homes .

JJ Bruce

University of Texas

Spring
2025

My giving goal is to try and keep donating to charities throughout my life and help out local ones too.

Jinhao Bai

Columbia University

Spring
2025

I wish to devote my time to volunteer work regularly and review how I would give my annual income every new year.

Jilly Schumacher

Abilene Christian University

Spring
2025

My giving goal is to give 10% of my income to my church, volunteer at 2 non profits a year, and set a dollar amount each year to hand out in cash where I see need throughout my daily routine.