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!

Elchanan Geller

Texas A&M University

Spring
2024

I’ve learned so much about nonprofits and how they work, and walk away from this course eager to give more to these organizations. I will definitely give as much of my time as I can, and would love to start serving on boards for organizations in my community. In addition, as my career progresses, I will start to give a portion to charity. In particular, working with our local food pantry has inspired me to support organizations that provide food, in particular, given how fundamental of a need it is in the community.

Ebonnie Goodfield

Columbia University

Spring
2024

I strongly feel that policy change is the strongest contribution I could make to women and child victims of domestic violence. While paying for housing and legal services can assist in these endeavors, it doesn’t reduce the problem and sometimes causes more because of the lack of trauma-informed care in our justice system. If I contributed financially to this cause, it would be to raise awareness about this issue and rally support to change it.

duryn dunbar

Washington University In St. Louis

Spring
2024

donating my time and money. getting invested in the community. teaching others what giving means

Demian Chavez Galvan

University of Texas

Spring
2024

I want to be able to moderately support the causes that I hold closest to me. Being able to donate even 1% of my income would mean a lot to me.

Delanyo Mensah

Vanderbilt University

Spring
2024

Post college I plan to give between 5-15% of my income and resources depending on how much I am making. As I make more I would like to give more.

Daniel Gaw

Vanderbilt University

Spring
2024

I hope to be a generous when with my money once I start making it. I hope I am not possessive or stinky with money but use it to make improve the lives of others. Any money I earn I see as a gift from God to use as a means to share his goodness with the world. As such, I would like to give as much money as possible away throughout my life.