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!

Virginia Moses

Vanderbilt University

Fall
2023

My giving goal is to give 1% of my future salary to philanthropic organizations. I will probably give this money to organizations that I have a previous history with.

Valentina Kraiselburd

New York University

Fall
2023

I wish to give time, effort, and five thousand dollars to charity until the year 2050.

Taanya Kapur

New York University

Fall
2023

I would like to further the cause of global redistributive justice because I believe that lasting change is only born out of systemic change

Sydney Diamond

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Fall
2023

My giving goal is to give 15% of my annual income to a variety of charities that support causes I am passionate about. In addition, I would still like to give my time to volunteer at the charities I am donating to.

Seiya Sachdeva

New York University

Fall
2023

I would like to donate 20% of my income by 2050 and beyond. I would like to serve a board position for some nonprofit by 2060.

SARAH BIERMAN

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Fall
2023

My giving goal is to spend a minimum of 75 hours a year voulenteering as well as donating to different charities that I feel are close to me as I go through life. I think one of my favorite charities are the ones that involve giving to kids. I think that if I can continue to give to these organizations who are able to help children have a stronger chance in succeeding as well as enjoying their childhoods then I would feel a lot better about my donating.