My giving goal is to support organizations I believe in and will make a difference. In the years to come what I choose to support might change but I hope I will continue to support effectiveness organizations that can do the most with my funds. I also hope I will be careful with selecting which organization to fund. I also hope as my income rises that I will increase my donations along with volunteer for these organizations.
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!
Anonymous
- Spring
- 2026
I will donate 5–10% of my income each year to organizations that support vulnerable communities, such as Caritas of Austin and Casa Marinella. Both focus on long-term support, whether through housing, refugee assistance, or access to essential resources.
Anonymous
- Spring
- 2026
In my future, I would like to support local nonprofits wherever I live that are greatly in need. This could include local animal shelters, homeless shelters, environmental nonprofits, education nonprofits, etc., that are in great need of assistance. I’d like to see the impact of my donation or volunteering first-hand and be able to keep in touch with the nonprofits easily. I’d like to complete 75 volunteer hours minimum (more if my future career allows) and donate at least $1,000 yearly starting around 25 years old, increasing as my salary increases.
Anonymous
- Spring
- 2026
In the future, I hope I can donate some of my time to nonprofits that are important to me. My goal is to at least volunteer 10hrs per month. Once I graduate and have a stable job, I hope I can donate at least 5% of my annual income to local nonprofits that are important to me. Taking this class made me realize the importance of the nonprofit sector and how even the smallest help can make a great impact on someone’s life.
Anonymous
- Spring
- 2026
My giving goal is to make time for volunteering at least once a year. Once i’m financially stable and have more income my goal is to donate money, I would like to give 5% of my income if I’m making at least 140,000. Hopefully i’ll feel like giving more by then. My goal is to keep these skills that I learned in the class with me and to stay updated with charities.
Anonymous
- Spring
- 2026
After I graduate and have a stable career, I hope to give as much as I can within my means, both financially and in time, volunteering in my community. Specifically, I want to focus my giving not on distant charities but on my direct community because I want to be able to know where my money and time are going, but to help those around me as best as I can.