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

"What a sweet reminder of this pledge! I've definitely given and volunteered in the last 6yrs. It's been a joy to continue the journey of generosity since graduating from undergrad. I'm back in grad school and I am looking forward to finishing my MSW. There will be new ways I give back to the community!"

"Thank you so much for this valuable reminder of my Giving Pledge. I'm proud to say I've dedicated several hours of volunteer time & services to Arts Education non-profits and will continue to live out this pledge"

“Thanks for reaching out––I'm actively still volunteering at two non-profits now in NYC (one free food service called "Wellfare" and a neighborhood homeless shelter)”

"Thank you for your email! The Philanthropy Lab was a life changing experience for me. I ended up joining the board of Malawi Children's Village to run the women empowerment program, which is what the Philanthropy Lab grant was for. In August, I am going to Malawi to see the project in action!"

"I was so happy to see this email pop into my inbox, it feels like a lifetime ago I was in this course. I appreciate all that I learned in this class and have taken its messages with me through these past 5 years. I do plan on maintaining the promise I made in this class"

"Thanks for this reminder. I actually still have a handwritten version of that note on the magnet board in my home office."

Search for Giving Goals

Over 4,200+ course participants have written giving goals in a demonstration of leadership!

Ally Smith

University of Arkansas

Fall
2024

I aspire to donate 10% of my income to philanthropy, and on years when money is tight, I aspire to donate 10% of my free time to philanthropic actions.

Alexandra Perez

Vanderbilt University

Fall
2024

My giving goal is to be a regular volunteer at a local nonprofit wherever I live in the future. I especially want to be involved in an organization working to alleviate the impact of the climate crisis and support the resiliency of vulnerable communities. I hope that I will make a good amount of money so that I may support organizations financially as well.

Alex Vincent

Baylor University

Fall
2024

I want to give five percent of each of my paychecks to a philanthropic cause. I also want to change the philanthropy I donate to each year or add a new one.

Alex Kuo

Cornell University

Fall
2024

I am hoping I can spend a couple hours every other week helping and volunteering at local foundations or service hubs, I am passionate about child literacy and mental health, so I would try to get into this space. Beyond, I would hope to give every month or every other month towards similar causes and be more involved in the communities.

Adam yu

Vanderbilt University

Fall
2024

In reflecting on how I wish to give back in my lifetime, the journey my family went through with my mom’s battle with breast cancer deeply influences my vision of philanthropy. Seeing firsthand the emotional and physical toll it took on her and our family has shaped my commitment to support cancer-related causes. I hope to contribute not only financially but also by giving my time to organizations that assist patients and families facing similar challenges. By revisiting this vision in the years to come, I aspire to stay connected to the ideals of my youth and use my resources to help others find hope and resilience during their own battles.

Abigail Swanson

American University

Fall
2024

I hope to be better at sharing both my resources and my money. I would like to find a nonprofit in any of the locations that I am living to do in-person or online volunteering with. Additionally, I would like to give away a portion of my income each year, no matter how small that income may be. I would like to give away ten percent of my income each year.