My giving goal is to be able to give back and ensure that everyone has the privilege of enjoying the simple joys of life. Being able to sleep with a roof over your head, a steady inflow of electricity and running water, being able to access food and go to bed with a full stomach. I have the opportunity of all these and more, and would like to help others be able to enjoy these simple pleasures as well, and even more.
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!
Jordan Baker
- Fall
- 2024
In the next 5 years, I will hopefully have graduated from law school, and can start off early forms of philanthropy by giving my time and services through pro-bono/non-profit legal work. I also would like to participate in Philanthropy Lab’s grant writing program to give back and dedicate my time to continuing a relationship with many of the non-profits I have been exposed to during my time in the course. In 10 years, I will hope to continue with these services, but also donate $3,000 within each year. Every 5 years from then I will hope to add an additional $1,000-$2,000 to this amount. As this class has shown me, for many organizations even an amount like $1,000 which in the larger scale of things does not seem like a lot of money, it can have a monumental impact. Since my career as a lawyer will not be as lucrative, I am hoping my focus on working within the non-profit sector can help me give back in other ways.
Jonah Ginsburg
- Fall
- 2024
Later in life, I hope to fully integrate giving into my life. Ideally, I would like to work closely with experts and philanthropic advisors who have done more research than I could do on my own. I think it would be most responsible to have a diverse philanthropic “portfolio” including both local and international organizations, personal and “effective,” established and recently founded. Regardless of the organization, all donations should be done with care, sensitivity and a commitment to do no harm.
Joely Eppolito
- Fall
- 2024
In the future, I want to give in ways that create lasting change for people and communities. I plan to share my time, skills, and resources to support causes like education, poverty reduction, and access to basic needs. My goal is to focus on organizations that combine measurable impact with personal connection, ensuring that the help I provide is meaningful and sustainable. Revisiting this goal in the future will remind me to stay grounded in these values and continue giving with purpose.
Jessie Silletti
- Fall
- 2024
I’ve realized now that philanthropy has always seemed to find me in every stage of my life, no matter where I am, whether it was prompted by my parents or not. Even though it was my parents who fit my philanthropic frames for me, I have chosen to continue to view life through those lenses. And in doing so, I’ve unlocked a vital part of myself that I always wish to know. I cannot imagine going through my life without participating in philanthropy, and this class has solidified that reality for me. Last semester, I began thoroughly researching the Peace Corps Organization and recently decided definitively that I would apply after graduation. As an aspiring traveler with a fascination for Latin America, the Peace Corps Education, Environment, and Agriculture sectors in any Latin American or Caribbean country greatly pique my interest. I believe that this recent compulsion to get out of the United States and work in a hands-on manner with communities in need of support was planted back in seventh grade when I went to Haiti. It was truly the most rewarding experience of my life, and even as a much younger, more immature, and unaware teenager, I recognized it then, and I’m ready to take more action about it now…or, when I graduate from NYU in 2027.
Jack Theobald
- Fall
- 2024
I hope to give my time at least once a month. I also want to give money, especially as I progress in my career, and I want to focus on causes that are significant to me. Finally, if I have kids, I want to teach them the importance of volunteering and giving back to their community.