It is my goal that I would be unselfish enough to always give away a good percentage of my disposable income. As my career advances, I hope that this percentage increases, and that the dollar amount per percent increases as well. To do this, I would like to create and grow a small fund that I deposit a variable percentage of my overall income to, starting at 10% and growing from there. This fund can grow to increase its future effect, unless an urgent cause presents itself as an opportunity to do effective good.
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
Search for Giving Goals
Over 4,200+ course participants have written giving goals in a demonstration of leadership!
Caleb Gevertz
- Spring
- 2024
Once I become financially stable I plan to dedicate a steady ten percent of my salary to charitable efforts. As my salary grows, the money I donate will also grow. The main difference is that I will presumably have more time on my hands as I age. In the business world, the new hires are typically stuck with much of the grunt work, while senior partners, managers, and executives have the cushier jobs. With more time under my belt I would love to dedicate more of my free time towards charitable efforts. Of course, abiding by my personal philosophy the location of these efforts should not be dictated by visibility or convenience. I hope to take trips to help with programs abroad, should my job allow it. Lastly, my goal is to retire as early as possible. I do not particularly enjoy working under for-profit institutions and as soon as I have what I believe to be a suitable nest egg, I will retire from the private sector. Working and traveling for non profits would be an excellent supplement to this lack of income and would leave me feeling much more fulfilled.
Bryce Wurster
- Spring
- 2024
The Giving Goal that I have for myself includes making the commitment to give 10% of my income to non-profits and other philanthropic endeavors no matter what my yearly salary will be. I want to be consistent in my giving throughout my professional career and make a habit of giving 10% from my very first paycheck, until my very last. Furthermore, I would also like to make a Giving Goal of consistent volunteering, with my future spouse and family. I think making volunteering a normal activity on a weekly or monthly basis is very important for me to utilize my time and other resources best to advance my philanthropic giving throughout my life. Overall, I clearly state that my Giving Goal is to give 10% of my income and be a consistent volunteer in my community.
Bryce Flynn
- Spring
- 2024
I pledge to always place philanthropy at a place of importance in my life. I will donate 5-10% of my salary, which will increase as I am financially able to, focusing primarily on areas of social services and education while keeping an open mind towards other sectors that inspire passion within me. I will also volunteer at local nonprofits and increase my time should my financial donations decrease for any reason. I would like to maintain good relations with nonprofits that I donate to and evaluate their progress. This way, I can ensure it remains in line with the impact I would like to have and identify additional areas that offer promising growth.
Brian Gephart
- Spring
- 2024
I hope to remind myself that gifting time and engaging in conversation can be just as impactful as giving money. I plan to work in the nonprofit sector moving forward, to help support organizations of change as my livelihood. If for some reason my career takes a turn out of nonprofit, I hope to remain on boards and contact lists of organizations meanigful to me where I can volunteer time and mentor however possible.
Biak Tha Hlawn
- Spring
- 2024
I want to give as much time as I can to non-profit and voluntary work. I hope to make an impact that extends beyond myself and is useful for all those around me.