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!

Halle Hayward

University of Arkansas

Fall
2023

I hope to give in whatever my capacity is at that time. Whether that is monetary or human capital. I want to continue to give in a purposeful and trustworthy way. To think with emotions, but also to think logically.

Halle Eviner

Vanderbilt University

Fall
2023

My giving goal is to give the funding to a non-profit in Nashville that is dedicated to the mission of reducing food waste and educating the community. I hope to see the true impact that the funding can generate overtime and see the positivity that can come out of this donation.

Haley McMahan

Vanderbilt University

Fall
2023

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Haley Garecht

University of Notre Dame

Fall
2023

I want to be more intentional with my philanthropy in the future, whether that is through volunteering or monetary donations. Now, I tend to “fall in” to philanthropy, and this course has shown me that charitable giving should be a conscious decision to do good out of love for others, not a passive sense of obligation. I want to give to at least three groups each year in some way and to establish a yearly plan to re-evaluate my philanthropy and increase it.

HAILEY WALTHER

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Fall
2023

I plan to make a monetary donation annually after I am complete my PT program. Ideally I want to contribute 5-10% of my annual income to a nonprofit organization. I also want to volunteer 25 hours annually at a local womens shelter, food pantry, or something of that sort.

Greyson Daniels

University of Arkansas

Fall
2023

My overarching long-term giving goal is to make a meaningful and enduring impact on the world by supporting diverse causes that resonate with my values, such as social justice, environmental sustainability, and human rights. My mission is to continuously educate myself about pressing issues, engage with communities, and contribute through regular giving, whether it’s financial support, volunteering, or other forms of assistance. I am committed to remaining adaptable, always seeking the most effective avenues for creating positive change, and I aspire to pass on the values of philanthropy to future generations, fostering a legacy of giving and impact.