I’d like to give regularly to local nonprofits doing work in education and health/human services. Once my income exceeds $60,000, I will begin giving away 10% of my income. The percentage will increase by 5% for every additional $10,000. This scale will plateau if my income ever exceeds $250,000 where I will be giving 95% of my income.
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 info@thephilanthropylab.org
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
- 2025
- Fall
I plan to give to the educational institutions that have supported my journey every year. I plan to give to at least one local nonprofit in the city I live each year and 1-2 other organizations (friends fundraising for marathons, old organizations I volunteered for, etc.). For those local organizations that I get involved with I want to focus on the following values: 1) Autonomy/Health: Access and inclusion to equal opportunities for physical and mental healthcare as well as financial health 2) Family and Community: Support for disadvantaged members of the community 3) Growth & Adventure: Serving others by unlocking barriers to growth (i.e. education) or adventure (i.e. sports and the arts)
Anonymous
- 2025
- Fall
I hope to contribute more to social work supporting individuals with mental health challenges, in honor of my mother, who lives with bipolar disorder. I also want to support organizations focused on animal welfare, inspired by my boyfriend’s deep care for animals. In addition, I’m committed to helping organizations that serve the elderly—whether through social services, legal aid, or other forms of support. In the meantime, I plan to start by signing up for local volunteer opportunities that assist older adults. And when I retire, I hope to dedicate my time to ensuring that elderly individuals receive the care, resources, and dignity they deserve. My long-term goal is to donate at least 1% of my income starting at age 30
Anonymous
- 2025
- Fall
In the upcoming 3 years, I want to give 5% of my income to non-profits or reinvesting in programs that support the arts.