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!

Jonah Fairbank

University of Notre Dame

Fall
2023

My goal is to give at least 25 hours yearly of community service. And close to over 4% after I am financially stable.

Jonah Crist

Vanderbilt University

Fall
2023

I plan to use my time outside of work and 10% of my disposable income to aid causes that are personally important to me. I see myself continuing to work in areas of drug addiction, mental health, and flexible education pathways with a personal priority of community development within my life. Specifically, I am interesting in programs such as the research at Johns Hopkins around psychedelic therapy for mental health and ways to encourage free choice in education without eroding tax bases for public schools.

JOHN MCHUGH

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Fall
2023

5% of my annual income not including supporting family and friends.

Jimmy McHugh

University of Notre Dame

Fall
2023

I plan on donating my time to help the nonprofits around me, that I feel personally connected to, because there is something more human about that form of connection versus a monetary donation. Depending on my future income, I also plan on donating to nonprofits that perhaps I am passionate about, but do not have the same personal connection to, because they deserve support, but I only have so much time to commit.

Jacob Hebert

University of Arkansas

Fall
2023

I hope to be able to give at least 8% of my income back to people who need it whenever I find a home and settle down.

Jacob Friedmann

Vanderbilt University

Fall
2023

I hope to be able to give when I make enough money to!