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!

Isabela Dias Schmidt

Vanderbilt University

Spring
2025

As soon as I reach a level of seniority and relevant expertise in my career, I want to be on the board of at least one a nonprofit organization. After I am financially independent and have helped remove my family from debt, I want to shift my career to work in social enterprises serving Brazil. I will make it my full-time career to work on public-private partnerships supporting the healthy development of Brazilian children. I will aim to share my experiences through conferences and speaking opportunities at organizations that have shaped my trajectory, like PENCIL, Colonia Espírita, and beyond. I will also reserve days to volunteer yearly — ideally at least once a semester — and will teach my kids to volunteer weekly from a young age.

Isaac Seiler

Washington University In St. Louis

Spring
2025

I hope to give to an organization that I’m involved with, consistently volunteering at. I care less about how my money is used, but I want to put both my financial and temporal resources into an organization I care about.

Irene Munoz Mansoa

Texas A&M University

Spring
2025

I want to give based on the values of humility, courage, and excellence, and I’m specifically passionate about domestic violence, homelessness, and seniors.

Inwoo Kim

Columbia University

Spring
2025

At least $1000 annually when I have an income of less than $50,000, to increase sizeably as my income increases.

Ines Mir

Columbia University

Spring
2025

I commit to helping as much as I can with my time, intention, love, and money to help with the access to education of girls annually by helping organizations ensure access to schooling for underprivileged children. I want to eventually give classes, meet them, understand their context and use their testimonies to make a change

Ibrahim Alkuraya

Harvard University

Spring
2025

I am planning on donating 15% of my wealth. 20% to food security, 20% to religious seminaries, 20% to the arts, 20% to animal welfare, and 20% to miscellaneous.