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!

Will Favorite

University of Notre Dame

Fall
2024

I pledge to volunteer at a non-profit at least once every two weeks throughout my life.

Vera Yeh

Cornell University

Fall
2024

I pledge to give away at least 10% of my income. I will be indiscriminate about this, in the sense that I will not restrict the causes to those which speak to me personally. Rather, I recognize the array of injustices there are in society and how some causes are more photogenic than others. I will hence do my best to seek out underserved causes. I will not list them here because there are many. And I will use my network to help nonprofits in those areas reach national prominence to put them on par with other causes.

Tristan Zerber

American University

Fall
2024

My giving goal has been shaped by my personal experiences with the healthcare system. Ever since I was a kid, due to my family’s health issues, I have gotten a lot of hands on experience with the healthcare system. I have seen how ugly and unforgiving it can be, how cold and cruel it can be. However, I have also seen how restorative and life changing it can be. My giving goal is to help those whose lives are significantly impacted by their experience with the healthcare system. Whether it be paying for treatment or finding the right doctor, I believe that every person deserves to have access to quality healthcare. So, I want to do my best in the short and long term to help people who were in my position. 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. I want to help change people’s lives for the better.

Tristan Shin

University of Notre Dame

Fall
2024

I am giving Big Brothers and Sisters about $10 per month, and I intend to do so for some time unless there is a significant change. I would love to donate more in the future, but my financial stability comes first at the moment.

Tori Jones

Baylor University

Fall
2024

I would like to donate at least 5% of my salary to organizations that support international humanitarian efforts to communities around the world most in need, and 5% of my salary to locally impact my community by supporting non-profit organizations, individuals, churches, or other important needs I am aware of. In all my giving, I hope to practice trust-based philanthropy and give with empathy and understanding.

Tim Chrisbaum

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Fall
2024

I hope that when I have the financial means to sustain myself and my family, I will give %10 of my overall paycheck to help support nonprofits in the future and continue to help fund.