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

University of Texas - Ugrad

Spring
2026

Give enough money so that I can still lead a comfortable life but still making a difference

Anonymous

University of Texas - Ugrad

Spring
2026

My giving goal is to dedicate funds to productive and beneficial charities whenever I can. I may not always be in a position to donate but one day in the future I hopefully will be. As I make my way through the journey of my career, I might loose sight of the value of philanthropy. I hope to be reminded of the significance of thoughtful giving as well as the teachings of this class and be urged to donate. As a person interested in children’s health, these charities can have a vast impact on those who they reach. When I am in a position to aid these nonprofits that align with my own interests and passions I will.

Anonymous

University of Texas - Ugrad

Spring
2026

I want to provide my services by volunteering for charities at least once throughout each of these five years. Once I have a stable income, I do want to give some of that money to charities and hold myself accountable for giving unneeded money to charities.

Anonymous

University of Texas - Ugrad

Spring
2026

I would like to give at the very least 5K

Anonymous

University of Texas - Ugrad

Spring
2026

After graduating and settling into my teaching job, my goal is to be able to dedicate more to fine arts-centered organizations, not only financially but with time and volunteering contributions. I feel strongly about supporting the arts in schools, especially giving young children the opportunity to be creative and express themselves in a safe space. I would like to (continue to) contribute to performing arts organizations local to me, as they all have much to offer. Though I may have less time on my hands as a full-time educator, I will make it a goal to make space to volunteer more of my time in these spaces in the future.

Anonymous

University of Texas - Ugrad

Spring
2026

I am interested in giving 15% of my salary away every year starting 5 years from now once I complete graduate school.