After getting a full time job, I pledge to give 10% of my income annually to nonprofits that align with my values and beliefs. For me personally, giving to the church is important so part of that will go towards this and the rest will go towards organizations that are working to help those in lower economic communities. In addition, I pledge to not just donate funds but my time because that can be just as valuable towards creating change as money.
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
Search for Giving Goals
Over 4,200+ course participants have written giving goals in a demonstration of leadership!
Ashley Hernandez
- Spring
- 2025
My goal is to give 5-10% of my income to the causes that are most pressing at a given point in time. My goal is to also give back to my educational institution to fund financial aid for other low-income students.
Ashley Buckingham
- Spring
- 2025
My giving goal is to give away 5% of my salary once I am five years post-graduation.
Ashley Beckner
- Spring
- 2025
My parents have set an excellent example of giving regularly and I hope to give at least 10% of my gross income at every stage of my life. I believe this first 10% should go to my church and then I can continue to give more to various organizations and missions. I also want giving to be something talked about in my family as I can encourage my kids to learn these lessons from a young age.
Ashlee Wells
- Spring
- 2025
Support local grassroots orgs that make a difference in vulnerable populations, emphasizing human and animal rights.