My giving goal is to begin giving in my first year post-grad at 5% of my salary with a steady increase per salary increase. My philosophy is to live a comfortable life and to give any excess to causes and organizations I believe in.
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
I am from Nigeria, a country where over half of the population lives in extreme poverty, and the education of female children is often deprioritized. My parents invested in my education, sending me to the best schools from nursery through graduation. I firmly believe that empowering a woman means empowering her entire community. After graduation, I hope to donate at least 3% of my annual income to support the education of girls in Nigeria, particularly those under 18.
Anonymous
- Fall
- 2024
After taking this course, I’ve learned the importance of consistency in donations. I aim to support at least one child from an underserved community in my home country, Kenya, by providing education and mentorship. Just as someone believed in me and contributed to my quality education, I want to give back in a meaningful way. I believe that investing in education can transform lives and create opportunities for future generations.
Anonymous
- Fall
- 2024
In the future, I want to give my time and resources to make a real difference in people’s lives. I dream of supporting education and community projects, especially for people who face challenges like poverty or inequality. I also want to be personally involved, whether it’s through mentoring, volunteering, or working with organizations that solve big problems. Looking back on this vision in ten or twenty years would remind me of my younger self’s hope and values. It would also help me see if I’ve stayed on track and inspire me to keep doing work that truly helps others.
Anonymous
- Fall
- 2024
My giving goal will be proportionally related to my income and income growth. I currently feel very passionate about gender violence programs, empowering marginalized communities, and the preservation of wild sea animals. I hope to give more than just money contributions, as mentioned in other surveys I believe in the importance of donating knowledge and time to organizations in order to feel more connected with the cause as well as to provide relief to the people working in these non-profits. My goal is to donate a 2-3% of my income when joining the workforce and making these numbers grow over time.
Annabelle Graham
- Fall
- 2024
My goal is to find a cause I am passionate about and consistently donate my time and money to it. I want to give at least 25% of my income over the course of my career, once I am living comfortably enough to afford it.