My goal of giving is to make an impact within the organization of my donation. For example, I would like my gift to go towards a tangible program and or event that has an impact on its people served. For example, if my donation went towards upgrading the air conditioning for a homeless shelter in Austin, I would be satisfied. I would not be satisfied with my donation going towards new equipment that sat in a closet all year.
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
My goal is to allocate 5-10% of my annual income to non profits I believe in. I also want to volunteer at least 30 hours in total each year, hopefully at animal shelters. I would also like to attend more protests and become more active.
Anonymous
- Spring
- 2025
My giving goal is to donate 5% of my annual earnings to both an international aid as well as a local charity. When I am out of college and earning more money than I am right now, I would like to give 8-10% of my income to the same causes.
Anonymous
- Spring
- 2025
My giving goal is focused on funding girl’s education on an international scale. Through my experience in class this semester, I have learned that this education funding has a domino effect of girls standing up to violence, having less children, educating her children, and the overall reduction of poverty. As a girl who’s education has given her access to so many opportunities, I feel it is my duty and right to use my privilege to fight for other girls to have the same. I would like to give to girl’s education nonprofits throughout the year, and continue to use my time and money to raise awareness for the gender gap in education.
Anonymous
- Spring
- 2025
I hope to make an impact regardless of which career path I pursue. Therefore, I would say that my giving goal at the moment is to work for a company or organization that makes meaningful impact on society. That way, I am living my daily life in alignment with my goal of giving back. However, I realize that I may not end up working in this sector forever, and in that case I would like to volunteer often and donate annually or biannually to an organization that is important to me. Whether it be an organization whose work I’ve seen first hand make an impact on my community, or an international organization with a working towards a cause I am passionate about. Overall, I hope to lead a life of service and, if I am able, give back through my time and through monetary donations.