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!

Anonymous

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Spring
2025

My goal is to give back to the YOUTH each year by sharing my time, talents, or what I have with others. Even small acts of kindness can make a big difference, and I want to help make the world a better place in my own way.”

Anonymous

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Spring
2025

My giving goal is to donate at least 500-1000 dollars a year towards programs centered around kids in need to help out with their future. I will also donate my time to helping inspire kids through the game of football by coaching little league football. My goal is to help inspire kids to love the game of football like I did as a kid, which ended up creating so many opportunities for me.

Anonymous

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Spring
2025

In 5 years I will donate 5-7% of annual income In 10 years I will donate 10% of annual income In 15 years I will create or contribute to a lasting fund In 20 years I will donate I will lead or influence community wealth-building

Anonymous

University of Texas

Spring
2025

Throughout my young adult life and beyond I would like to have charitable giving be a part of my daily life. From this class I have learned that as humans we have the responsibility to give when we have excess or more than a satisfactory amount. My giving can be with money, items, or etc.

Anonymous

University of Texas

Spring
2025

This class and my major (psychology) have made me realize that it is my life’s purpose to help others. I hope to do that both in my job as a therapist and in my community as a friend and activist. I hope to use my privileges to the advantages of the underprivileged. Specifically I would love to raise awareness for people with disabilities and remind the world at large that we all are susceptible to becoming disabled in our lives. Not only this, but it is time to de-stigmatize the conversations we have about people with developmental/degenerative disabilities. In addition to my time, I’d also like to donate my resources such as money, excess clothes, household items, etc. in order to give people in my community a better life where I can. I was truly inspired by Peter Singer’s values throughout the semester and I hope to carry them with me for many years.

Anonymous

University of Texas

Spring
2025

One of my giving goals is to give 5% of my annual income to nonprofits for the first five years out of college. After those five years, I hope to give at least 10% of my annual income to nonprofits. Another goal that I have is to do at least one volunteer opportunity every week. Finally, my last goal is to volunteer at least 50 hours a year. Considering there are 52 weeks in a year, I think this will be easy to accomplish and I hope to surpass 50 hours. I believe this will be a good way for me to explore different organizations and do my part to give back to the community.