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 info@thephilanthropylab.org

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!

Anonymous

University of Texas - MBA

Spring 2026

I want to build Philanthropy into my life as a real habit, not just a one-time gesture. Right now I’m most drawn to Health & Medicine and Education, because I think access in both areas can genuinely change the trajectory of someone’s life. That said, I expect my thinking to shift as I learn more, and I’m okay with that. More than landing on the right” causes

Daniel Trempala

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Spring 2026

My giving goal includes three pillars, the first being donating at minimum 5% of my gross salary per year until I retire. Second being to volunteer at least 100 hours of my time per year. The third is in retirement I hope to have invested enough money to live off of in retirement but to also give a large amount of money per year to organizations, about 20k-30k every year of retirement until my death. I would leave enough for family to cover funeral expenses but the rest of my net worth would be donated. I am passionate about building community, changing the system rather than providing aid to those impacted by the system.

Anonymous

Texas Christian University

Spring 2026

My giving goal for the future is to give at least 10% of my income away to those in need, starting with my first paycheck after leaving graduation.

Anonymous

Harvard University

Spring 2026

My giving goal is to both help with both direct immediate efforts as well as social reform efforts regarding environmental degradation, animal rights, and education in whatever capacity I can.

Anthony Cami

University of Texas - MBA

Spring 2026

I plan to volunteer whether per event or on a board.

Luis Tamez

Texas A&M University

Spring 2026

My giving goal is twofold. In the future, I aspire to serve on the board of directors of a nonprofit, contributing to its strategic decision-making and long-term impact. In parallel, I am committing to donate 2â€“4% of my pre-tax annual salary to philanthropic causes each year, ensuring that giving remains a consistent and intentional part of my financial life.