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

"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!

Anonymous

Columbia University

Spring 2026

As I think about how I want to give of myself and my resources in the future, I want my giving to be guided by both empathy and structural awareness. As a sociology student, I have become increasingly aware that many social problems are not the result of individual failure, but of unequal systems and institutions. Because of that, I hope my future giving will support efforts that do more than relieve immediate need; I want it to also invest in long-term change, dignity, and greater social equity. I also want to give in ways that go beyond money. I hope to give my time, attention, and skills with the same seriousness as financial resources. To me, meaningful giving means listening carefully, supporting work already being done within communities, and resisting the urge to assume that giving alone is enough. My goal is to practice a form of generosity that is thoughtful, accountable, and grounded in humility. If I revisit this in ten or twenty years, I hope I will still believe that giving should not simply make the giver feel good, but should reflect a real commitment to others and to a more just social world.

Anonymous

Columbia University

Spring 2026

I aim to give a consistent percentage of my income throughout my life and to increase that percentage as my financial capacity grows. I also hope to stay involved beyond financial contributions by being engaged with the organizations I support and making thoughtful, informed decisions about where I give.

Anonymous

Boston University

Spring 2026

My giving goal is to give portions of my income to charities that impact the most people in the best positive way, and align with my views of living a proactive and community-based living.

Hennah Hajari

University of Texas - Ugrad

Spring 2026

This class was very valuable to me and I will definitely use everything I learned going forward. Whenever I find time, I want to volunteer at non-profits and give back to the community I am a part of, in any way that I can. I’m hoping to give at least 2-5% of my income to support non-profits that have a personal and meaningful impact to me.

Anonymous

University of Texas - MBA

Spring 2026

My giving goal is pick one organization a year at a minimum to devote either my time or money to and follow through on my commitments throughout the year and beyond.

Anonymous

Harvard University

Spring 2026

I would like to dedicate my time to defending human rights and human experiences, through pursuing a career in non-governmental organizations or the legal sphere. By pursuing this career, my goal is to work towards positive social change full-time.