I plan to devote a meaningful share of my money, time, and skills to community-rooted, justice-oriented organizations that shift power and resources toward those most affected by injustice. Particularly, in areas of education justice, immigration rights, and food insecurity.
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
The goal isn’t to give a certain amount or even to give monetarily. The goal is to give back to the people and the places that got me to where I am today, the people and places who invested in me. Whether that looks like 10 percent of my income or volunteering is to be determined, but at the end of the day, I would like to contribute significantly in some way to the people who helped me become the person I am.
Anonymous
- 2025
- Fall
I would like to give 10% of my salary to the Church and I would like to have a weekly volunteer commitment. I would also like to offer one of the Masses I attend in a week for specific individuals and communities that are in need at that time.
Anonymous
- 2025
- Fall
My first giving goals outside of myself are to take care of my mom who struggles with health conditions and spent her retirement early (shes not retired) and was fined to keep us in an apartment years ago. We have been homeless and to be able to take care of her in anyway would be my first goal. If I somehow have money to spare I will give, and I do already just small amounts when I feel passionate about projects that come up I care about. Most of my giving is time and talent. I am going into my specific major to be able to advocate for those in need and try to make systematic changes. I will give my career to that and work hard to make a difference. In free time I also volunteer and do passion projects that outline my values and are sustainable.
Anonymous
- 2025
- Fall
My goal is to donate 1% of my income to philanthropy (once I reach a certain threshold in income) and actively volunteer within my local community.