My personal experiences with volunteering and learning about mental health, gentrification, environmental justice, and juvenile rights have shaped my giving goal. Although I may not have the money to donate today, I can always give time, and in the future, I can give back in more ways than just volunteering.
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!
Anonymous
- Spring
- 2025
Through this process, I’ve been able to see first-hand how energetic and dedicated the members of the non-profit community are. Going forward I understand how much love and passion is being put behind my donated dollars, amplifying their impact more than I could ever make alone. I want to establish my own rainy day fund to be spent on emergency relief services after major tragedies.
Anonymous
- Spring
- 2025
The Philanthropy Lab course has profoundly influenced my perspective on philanthropy, especially through the development of the Rise and Recover briefing book. The emphasis on deeper societal change and making the largest positive impact in our chosen space connects to the concept of effective altruism, highlighting the importance of long-term impact and reducing suffering (Hope TN’s Briefing Book, page 19). This course has motivated me to prioritize strategic planning and reflection surrounding programs to ensure lasting impact in communities and beyond. Working on the opioid crisis among pregnant women in Nashville has been eye-opening. The alarming increase in Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) and the systemic barriers these women face underscored the need for thoughtful, data-driven philanthropy. This experience has informed my thinking about giving, emphasizing the need for funding approaches that address both immediate needs and systemic inequities, such as Integrated Behavioral Health Therapy (IBHT). Additionally, the rigorous selection process we implemented, including criteria like mission alignment, program effectiveness, and financial transparency (Dynamic Disabilities Briefing Book, page 18), has provided me with a framework for evaluating future philanthropic opportunities. This structured methodology ensures that my giving is not only compassionate but also strategic and impactful. Overall, the Philanthropy Lab course has inspired me to approach philanthropy with a blend of empathy and analytical rigor, aiming to support initiatives that foster sustainable, long-term change. Capturing this vision of how I wish to give of myself and my resources in the future will help me plan to give more meaningfully. Revisiting this vision in ten or twenty years could provide a reminder of the ideals of my youth that may shape or re-shape my future actions.
Anonymous
- Spring
- 2025
I pledge to donate 15% of my salary to nonprofits once it exceeds $100,000.
Anonymous
- Spring
- 2025
I hope to be able to give in the form of donation and time in my future. I also hope to work somewhere that has a commitment to philanthropy and that can support employees’ giving goals.
Anonymous
- Spring
- 2025
My goal is to support organizations and initiatives that promote inclusion, accessibility, and empowerment for people with disabilities. Inspired by my own connection with this cause, I want to give my time, money, and skills, particularly in communication and social media, to raise awareness and break down barriers. I want my giving to reflect a long-term commitment to equity, kindness, and making meaningful impact within communities that are often overlooked.