My giving goal is to get involved with the development and building of a small nonprofit to help turn it into something amazing. I hope to be able to give at least 10 percent of my yearly income to charities. However, I also want to be involved hands on by volunteering at 2 nonprofits that are near and dear to my heart.
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
Dear Future Alexander, I hope that you are reading this letter many years later and that you are happy with who you are. Remember all of the things that Oma (grandma) taught you: work, be humble, and say thank you. Continue to work hard, but also continue to lend a helping hand, for nice things come back to people in larger ways. You promised yourself at one point that you would use your time, your resources, and your ability for good. Don’t ever forget that. Your top goals are to fight corruption in Indonesia and to protect your family business. These are important tasks, and yet you can handle them. Whatever it is, even 5% of your fortune, just continue to give. It’s not necessarily the amount; it’s the attitude and the consistency of giving. You’re going out into the real world now, but never forget to be humble. Keep in mind: you became a leader to serve people, not to gain wealth. If you don’t forget that, business and life will be a success. Sincerely, Alexander Hosea
Anonymous
- 2025
- Fall
My goal is to keep philanthropy in my life by giving to causes/organizations that matter to me consistently. I plan to give to give a portion of my income each year. I also want to keep philanthropy in my life by volunteering when I can at least once a year.
Anonymous
- 2025
- Fall
I’m passionate about bringing change and empathy to the forefront of people’s minds in the world. To change the issues I care most about, I feel the best I can do is donate to humanitarian causes, continue educating myself, and others. I have been staying up to date on most matters and volunteering where I can, but I hope that working closer with non-profit and profit organizations will give me the chance to make a deeper impact. My actions should carry on with me the rest of my life, as they have been since I learned the significance of serving others.
Anonymous
- 2025
- Fall
My giving goal is to fund two initiatives. First, to support educational causes in emerging markets. And second, to support media initiatives that improve the quality of coming out of the African continent. Long-term, these goals won’t change and may even be broadened to include health initiatives I respect and believe will have a tremendous impact on the lives of people.