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!

Ashanti Mendez

Emory University

Spring
2025

My goal is to be able to donate a % of my salary whenever I am in a more comfortable state. I want to be able to donate to nonprofits that are local to the communities that I am involved with, alongside bigger ones that I know do real change. Doing my research and seeing first hand the type of work non profits make is something I want to achieve — by putting in my own time and volunteering and seeing the direct impact. Additionally, I want to be able to help the people around me, as this is a form of philanthropy in my eyes — giving back to the people who gave so much to me. In terms of types of organizations, throughout my life I have found multiple things that I have become passionate about, and while I want to make sure I stick to those, I want to make sure I keep an open mind to new organizations and local up and coming charities that are making a difference as well.

Arwen Zhang

Harvard University

Spring
2025

My goal is to volunteer part-time for a local non-profit and to be frequently engaged. I am also aiming to donate at the end of every month.

Apoorv Kumar

Emory University

Spring
2025

I pledge to give 5% of my salary and 40hrs of volunteering time every year to the cause of Philanthropy going forward

ANYELIK QUINONES

Universidad del Sagrado Corazon

Spring
2025

Dedicate 100 hours each year to volunteering in communities through art education, museum outreach, refugee or youth programs or cultural events.

Anushka De

Stanford University

Spring
2025

In ten years, I hope to be meaningfully contributing to an organization that supports young women and creates opportunities for them to pursue STEM education. I want to prioritize quality over quantity—through this experience, I’ve realized that I value deep, long-term investment in changing a few lives over broader, less personal efforts. I believe strongly in the power of education and in using the opportunities and platform I’ve been given to help others access the same. This is a cause I want to support not only financially, but also by giving my time in a meaningful way.

Antonio Quinones

Vanderbilt University

Spring
2025

My goal is to give intentionally through both my time and my income to causes that promote access, equity, and human dignity. I hope to commit at least 10% of my income to nonprofits that work across education, healthcare, and climate resilience, particularly those led by people from the communities they serve. I also want to volunteer consistently, whether by offering professional skills or simply showing up where needed. Over time, I expect my focus to evolve, but I want to stay rooted in generosity, humility, and a belief that thoughtful giving can create meaningful change.