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!

Anonymous

Texas A&M University

Spring
2024

After college, when my income is stable and has some disposable nature, I hope to donate a minimum of 10% of my income to church and other NPO’s that serve the people around me. I want to strategically consider the benefits and mission of each organization, and value the impact that most resonates with me personally and my morals as a person. I think it’s critical to give back to others if you have the capabilities to., as I truly think we are called to serve and value others above ourselves.

Anonymous

Stanford University

Spring
2024

I want to give to causes related to improving the lives of low-income urban residents to create more economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable communities. I hope to give back to the specific organizations serving low-income families that provided the youth services that helped shape my path into who I am today.

Anonymous

Stanford University

Spring
2024

I hope to begin my career in philanthropy in the foreseeable future, particularly with the help of attending the Ambassadors Conference this summer. I believe philanthropy is a beautiful way of giving, and while there are many areas for improvement, my goal is to approach the sector with a sense of humility. Learning is an ongoing process, and it is essential for people involved with philanthropy to implement this in their efforts. Doing so will allow us to create more effective change within the communities we aim to assist and reduce the inequities we hope to address. My focus in philanthropy will, hopefully, encompass an array of ideas and communities: access to education for students living in the south, language preservation across transnational borders for Indigenous communities, and mental health support for undocumented children and families. This course and the Ambassadors Conference are only two of the ways I intend to begin my journey, and I know it is one that will be a long and much rewarding.

Anonymous

Stanford University

Spring
2024

I aspire to give 5% of my salary to mission-driven philanthropic organizations for the next 5 years.

Anonymous

Emory University

Spring
2024

My goal two years from now is to contribute sizable bi-annual donations to a nonprofit that closely resonates with me. I plan to donate to a different nonprofit every six months, conducting thorough research on each nonprofit’s mission, impact, and leaders. I hope to ensure that this nonprofit works to tackle its respective social issues at the source, with its success fueled by employees’ genuine passion for its mission. Additionally, even after graduating college and entering the workforce, I will prioritize setting aside time on weekends to volunteer at local nonprofits for at least 10 hours per month. These goals will allow me to remain engaged in my philanthropic roots, allowing me to play my part in making a positive impact throughout the world.

Anonymous

Emory University

Spring
2024

My giving goal is to donate with the intention of ensuring sustainability. This is sustainability both of the impact of an organization’s work, and sustainability of the organization itself.