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!

Chase Hurwitz

Washington University In St. Louis

Spring
2024

I believe in a broad array of giving. I find that giving to policy activist groups and to individuals are both beneficial perhaps in different ways. I want to make sure I’m giving with the recipient in mind. How directly can my dollar impact someone in need? What does that look? What outputs can be created from that? Making sure I’m staying people-oriented is important for my giving now and hopefully in the future.

Charley Schwartz

Boston University

Spring
2024

I wish to volunteer in person at an organization I feel strongly about at least 3 times a year. I also wish to donate to some of my favorite charities at least 5 times a year.

Charles Samson

Washington University In St. Louis

Spring
2024

My goal is to donate 10% of my annual income to various charitable causes. Further, I want to be an active volunteer for an organization- devoting 1-4 hours a week,

Cate Samuels

Washington University In St. Louis

Spring
2024

I want to learn how to best give back for future experiences

Casey Pack

University of Texas

Spring
2024

I hope to, in the future, have the means to give much more than I do now. Both in terms of time and financial resources, I am relatively limited at the moment, but I hope to contribute more through volunteering and donation. Volunteering wise, I hope to involve myself in local organizations that benefit my community. Donation wise, I hope to contribute to causes, local, national, and international, to advance the rights of everyone.

Carly Rutsky

Washington University In St. Louis

Spring
2024

My goal is to learn how best to help others and be able to apply this learning to my future career in psychology and with children. I want to apply this further on in life and encourage giving to those around me.