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!

Sj Kounoupis

University of Pennsylvania

Spring
2024

Continuing from now and immediately following my graduation, I plan to maintain a regular habit of volunteering at least 10-20 hours a month to nonprofits and philanthropic organizations associated with the youth health and community support issues I care about. Within the next five years, I want to become financially secure enough to be able to have at least one regular and consistent donation to a nonprofit I care deeply about, and by the time 10 years has passed I want to be able to donate at least 2-3% of my income (at which point I will reevaluate to hopefully be able to increase that number further in the future).

Shira Michaeli

Columbia University

Spring
2024

I hope to give 10-20% of my income to charity

Shanzay Shabi

University of Washington

Spring
2024

In the next five years, I hope to be a lawyer working at a firm with a six-figure salary. Assuming I’m financially independent I would like to donate 6% of my salary annually to organizations and causes that are close to my heart. Until then I will continue to donate what I can each month.

Shannon Perry

University of Texas

Spring
2024

I hope to donate more of my time than finances in the future. When I reach a comfortable point financially, I want to donate my money to arts, cultural, and educational organizations.

Selina Zhang

University of Pennsylvania

Spring
2024

After having a steady income following graduation, I plan to give to a cause that I genuinely care for within five years. I am also considering to either initiate my own project or volunteer for one that is related to education and devote time into the cause.

Sarina Sharma

University of Washington

Spring
2024

I hope to give 5% of my income in the first 5 years after getting a post-grad job, 10% after 10, and 15% after 15. I would also like to volunteer with at least local 1 non-profit each year, amassing around 50 volunteer hours. If I can afford to volunteer more of my money and time, I hope to do so, as this goal is only a starting point!