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!

Kylie Sullivan

Vanderbilt University

Fall
2023

I hope to support local arts organizations that foster the expression and cultivation of creativity. In particular, I would like to patronize theater and film organizations for young people.

Krishna Nair

Baylor University

Fall
2023

My giving goal is to potentially work in a non-profit with a board! I would love to volunteer and promote the common good for communities to flourish.

Kehkashan Basu

Cornell University

Fall
2023

I have always committed 80% of my salary to charity, and I wish to continue to do so. As my salary increases, the amount I donate also increases and thus, I will be able to give more to causes that are close to my heart. I will track my progress on a quarterly basis to be able to check if I am on track to give away 80% of my salary every year.

Keely Sullivan

University of Notre Dame

Fall
2023

My giving goal is dependent on my stage of life. Within the first 5-7 years post graduation I hope to volunteer at least 5 times per year. After those few years I would hope that I increase my volunteer work throughout the year (maybe pick a local organization to spend a few hours a week at every week) as well as give a very small percent of my income back to a specific need within my local world or greater community.

Katelyn Graham

Abilene Christian University

Fall
2023

I think that the Pre/Post course surveys give a great breakdown of how much I would like to give in numbers so here I would like to describe it in words. In my future I would like to have enough money that I can live without being worried about everyday necessities and also not worried about emergency costs. After that, I have no need for anything extra that comes my way. I want to live based on what I need and no more. My giving will be based on the excess that I have after I am fed and sheltered. Anything that I have after I have taken are of my necessities is by definition unnecessary and I want it to be used for something greater than myself.

Kate Griffor

New York University

Fall
2023

my giving goal is to essentially give consistently throughout my lifetime when I have the opportunity and possibility to do so. The more I learn about the world and the more connections I grow to certain causes, I would love to pour my giving there.