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!

Capucine Tefra

Columbia University

Spring
2025

My giving goal is to use both my time and resources to support causes that promote education and social justice. In the future, I aim to work in the nonprofit sector, where I can have a direct impact on communities in need and help create long-term, positive change. By combining my career with my giving efforts, I hope to contribute in ways that empower individuals and help build more equitable opportunities for all. My dream would be to participate to the development of philanthropic giving in France (as I am a French citizen).

Camille Aracelis Dickson

Columbia University

Spring
2025

My goal is to donate at least 20% of my income, with a plan to increase that percentage every few years.

Caleb Bichard

Abilene Christian University

Spring
2025

I plan to give at least 10% of my income to my church, and set aside another 5% to donate to a non-profit each year. Once I pay off student loans, I’d love to set up a donor-advised fund and involve my children in the process of choosing what organization we donate to each year.

Brooke Martinez

University of Texas

Spring
2025

Hello! My giving goal is to still advocate for the Austin Angels nonprofit organization my team researched. I want to not only make donations every year (about 5% of my daily income), but I would like to figure out how I can volunteer with the organization to make a difference. While researching on this organization, I found the Love Box program to make the most impact on foster children and families, therefore, I would like to donate items to the organization every year to help with the creation of these boxes. Hopefully once I become consistent in this process, I can donate to other causes that I do research on.

Brock Haven Thompson

University of Texas

Spring
2025

Once I secure a steady job, I would like to donate at least 5% of my annual salary to organizations that support international humanitarian efforts to communities in need worldwide. I will also be working full-time in the nonprofit sector. I’d love to donate 5% of my salary to support local organizations and my church. I hope to continue giving forever and inspire those around me to do the same.

Brice Morris

Emory University

Spring
2025

My Giving Goal for the Philanthropy Lab, it would be this: I aim to support organizations that address food insecurity and homelessness, particularly Jewish charities and NYC-based shelters. My goal is to donate consistently, volunteer regularly, and eventually take on a leadership role to help drive sustainable solutions. Ultimately I want to empower people to be better.