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!

Annika Bilitz

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Fall
2023

After school, my significant other and I plan to volunteer at our church, our community’s food shelters, animal sanctuaries, animal adoption events, and more. Besides spending time volunteering, we will donate 10% to our church, another 5% to charities of our choice, and spend time supporting small businesses in our area.

Anne SCOTTY

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Fall
2023

After graduation, I plan to give at least 5 hours per month of volunteer time, outside of any work related events. Additionally, I hope to be able to give 5% of my monthly earnings to a few different organizations I am passionate about. But, I do hope that I am working for a nonprofit professionally though all of this, so I can constantly be giving my talent and work.

Andrew Littmann

Vanderbilt University

Fall
2023

My giving goal is to be able to work not for myself but to work for my community and for the world around me. I want to give at least 15 percent and hopefully start my own origination in the future

Ana Harris

Cornell University

Fall
2023

I would like to work up to giving 10% of my annual salary within 5 years. I pledge to give to organizations in my communities that have shaped me and wherever I am currently located.

Alivia Brewer

University of Arkansas

Fall
2023

My giving goal is to donate at least 10% of my annual income to nonprofit organizations within my community.

Alex Thearling

New York University

Fall
2023

Following graduation and once I have a stable income, I would like to allocate a portion of the money I earn towards philanthropy that changes based on my own personal situation as well as the situation in the communities I hope to support. However, I wish to also build deeper connections with the organizations I support. From my work with nonprofits in the past, I’ve begun to understand the importance of forging lasting connections to the causes and organizations I am interested in. Thus, I would not just like to support them financially but also make new connections that lead to a fruitful relationship for years.