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!

Georgia Kouros

University of Texas - McCombs

Spring
2025

Moving forward, I would like my philanthropic efforts to grow in proportion to how my career (and as a result, the money I earn in that career) grows. While I realize that as a higher earner I’d like to give more money because it means financially I now can, it’s also important to acknowledge that money is not necessarily better philanthropically than one’s time. I’d like to do my best to learn more about specific non-profit groups and grow not just my donation dollar amount, but the avenues through which I choose to donate. Specifically, I really liked how our class chose to investigate Wonders & Worries as a potential means of donation. Having grown up with a mom who had and eventually passed away from multiple sclerosis, this group meant a lot to me. I’d like to research and donate to similar groups when back in California (where I’m from).

Georgia Eugenides

Stanford University

Spring
2025

50K

Genevieve Herron

Vanderbilt University

Spring
2025

I plan to give join the Pledge 1% movement with my future business, donating at least this percent of profits to benefit the world. Depending on when I exit, I would also like to donate a larger portion to nonprofits and possibly establish a nonprofit arm of my business.

Gavri Steiger

Washington University In St. Louis

Spring
2025

I plan to donate 10% of my income annually after my first 10 years in the workforce.

Gabriela Sara Lipson

Stanford University

Spring
2025

My giving goal is to give at least 100,000 dollars to non-profit and charitable causes within my lifetime. It’s challenging to imagine that kind of money while still in college, but I hope to have a high earning job and then use the money that I earn for impact.

Gabriela Izaguirre

University of Texas

Spring
2025

After getting a full time job, or finishing nursing school I would like to continue to advocate and help animals in Texas whether it be local or beyond. I would like to donate a monthly amount of my income towards nonprofits like these, and also try and commit myself to a volunteer program and try to become an active member by volunteering at least 5 hours a month.