Once I have a full-time job, my goal is to give 10% of my income as a base. Every 2 years, I want to re-evaluate the percentage of my income that I am giving and decide to give more if I am able. Additionally, my ultimate goal is to make my career in the nonprofit sector and devote my efforts to an arts organization. Once I graduate, my goal is to volunteer with an animal rights organization each week, for as many years as I am physically able. I will prioritize these volunteer efforts with the same degree of care that I will prioritize my career and my personal pursuits.
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
- Fall
- 2024
Once I achieve financial independence, I plan to donate 20% of my income to support philanthropic education. I firmly believe that the more people are educated about the value of philanthropy and its impact, the greater the positive change we can create as a community. I don’t want to limit my contributions to financial donations alone, but I also intend to devote time and effort in promoting philanthropic education. This includes returning to our class and actively participating in the Philanthropy Lab to inspire and engage others. Together, we can help kindness and generosity spread further and make a lasting impact.
Anonymous
- Fall
- 2024
My philanthropy giving goal is to support vision and health related nonprofit organizations. As I pursue a career in ophthalmology, I plan to donate a percentage of my future salary starting at 5% in my first year, increasing to 10% as I grow professionally. This commitment reflects my deep connection to community health and my desire to make a meaningful impact in ocular outreach. By actively volunteering and establishing a structured giving plan, I hope to inspire others in the medical field to contribute to vital causes that enhance public health.
Anonymous
- Fall
- 2024
My goal is to make a positive impact on struggling communities. I hope to volunteer and give some of my earnings towards this cause when I find a stable job in the near future. Especially since I come from a low-income family, I truly want to make the most of my college journey and be able to give back to people who went through similar or worse things than I did.
Anonymous
- Fall
- 2024
My goal is to consistently give 10% of my income to support organizations and nonprofits within my community. I aim for this giving to extend beyond financial contributions, actively engaging as a volunteer to further the mission of these organizations.
Anonymous
- Fall
- 2024
My goal is to become an adolescent psychologist and donate 10 hours a week of my time to inner-city, minority middle and high school students who do not have access to mental health care.