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!

Elisa Zoltick

Emory University

Spring
2025

Looking ahead, my goal within the next year is to significantly increase my financial contributions to nonprofits that align with my values. My overarching goal is not to just donate but to ensure that my support goes to organizations making a tangible difference and addressing social issues at their root cause. I also want to stay actively engaged in philanthropy through hands-on involvement. For the remainder of my 1.5 years in college, I want to attend every service event that the clubs I am in hold. Whether this is through a direct initiative or advocacy, I want to try to remain connected to the Atlanta community, as well as the broader communities I support. Ultimately, my long-term vision extends beyond individual donations and volunteer work. I hope to integrate social entrepreneurship into my career in a meaningful way. Whether this is through launching a social enterprise or serving on the board of a nonprofit, I want to leverage my skills in business and finance to create lasting, systemic change. The Apa Sherpa Foundation and Apa Sherpa have served as an inspiration for the kind of impact I hope to have in society. Apa Sherpa’s story reminds me that true philanthropy is not about recognition but about commitment and action. As I move forward, I know that I’ll carry his lesson with me, ensuring that I remain deeply connected to the causes I care about and the communities I strive to support.

Elijah King Hernandez

Stanford University

Spring
2025

My giving goal is to be in a position to provide operational, management, and/or legal expertise to non profits and underserved communities.

Elena Luo

Harvard University

Spring
2025

I hope that giving remains an essential part of my life. My goal is to give at least $10 a year while reassessing this amount as I proceed in my career.

Electra A Stone

University of Texas

Spring
2025

I have a giving goal of 10% of my wealth. Though I am already clear about the organization I will give to. So I am not really interested in being contacted about this. Thank you

Dylan Rothe

Washington University In St. Louis

Spring
2025

Throughout my professional career post-grad, I pledge to donate 10% of my earned income to non-profit organizations that align with my core values of promoting access to education for all students K-University as well as promoting awareness surrounding addictions and ways to help individuals struggling with them. Either by time, money, or support, I can aid organizations in promoting a safer and better community in areas that touch extremely close to my personal morals as these things have been impactful in my understanding of who I am as a person. This does not mean that I am supporting organizations in order to further my own goals and ambitions in areas where I have concerns, but rather helping to support others, with much more experience than myself, to use this support and offer it to better their own initiatives.

Dylan Nguyen

Abilene Christian University

Spring
2025

I plan to give at least 10% of my income to local nonprofits.