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!

Nathalie Rojo

University of Washington

Spring
2024

I pledge to donate money throughout the year for the next 10 years as situations or opportunities arise. If a opportunity arise, I will also volunteer my time to at least one cause per year.

Natalie Wills

Texas A&M University

Spring
2024

My main goal when giving will to be giving my time each year. I want to help nonprofits that specialize in foster care or mental health. I would like to have at least 10 hours a month of volunteering while I am still earning my way. If I have disposable income, I would love to give at least $500 a year with more, the more money I make.

Natalia Scheinfeld

Columbia University

Spring
2024

My aim is to give away 5% of my salary every year. I’m not entirely sure why this number, and will definitely also aim to increase it over time.

Nasif Chowdhury

Emory University

Spring
2024

My giving goal is to support organizations that make a difference in the community by having a positive impact on the youth. In addition to financial contributions, I’m excited to actively engaging with these organizations, volunteering my time and expertise, and advocating for policies that advance their mission and goals.

Morgan R Locke

University of Texas

Spring
2024

Once I’m working full-time, I would like to donate 10% of my annual income back to charity – 5% to my church and 5% to local nonprofits in the city I live in. I would like to give a smaller monthly donation (~$20-$150, depending on my income) to urgent causes, such as international conflict relief and natural disaster aid. I would like to be a consistent volunteer (on a weekly or monthly basis) at a local nonprofit and dedicate at least 100 hours of volunteering per year.

Molly Latham

University of Texas - McCombs

Spring
2024

Post graduation, my main focus will be paying off student loans though I do hope to donate a small percentage of my income to non-profit organizations. As my loans decrease and my income decreases, my hope is to increase my contributions of at least 10% of my income.