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!

Sean Dunham

Texas A&M University

Spring
2023

Going forward, Id like to give $2000 a year to organizations that support youth and ongoing education.

Savanna Tucker

University of Washington

Spring
2023

Once I am making a steady income, my giving goal is to donate ~5% of my income to local and overseas organizations that I have researched and put time and thought into. I want to also volunteer on a semi-regular basis in my community. I want to remind myself every few years about this pledge to make sure I am living up to this standard I am setting for myself.

Savanna Simmank

Texas Christian University

Spring
2023

I pledge to give 10% of my income to non-profits upon graduation in ways that align with my values of faith, community, and equity. I will give my time to organizations that prioritize children and education, aiming to volunteer 80 hour per year. After 3 years, I will evaluate my giving goals and see if I have the bandwidth to give more time and resources.

Sarah Park

Emory University

Spring
2023

Short-term: volunteering 2-4 times per month (weekends) in the area for education (pre-college) and criminal justice reform Long-term: volunteering once per month + donating at least 5% of my earnings to causes I support (criminal justice reform and/or edu)

Sarah Newman

University of Washington

Spring
2023

Upon liberation from my student debt, I plan to give at least 10% of my income to different arts organizations, perhaps switching off each year between theater, dance, sculpture making, etc. and also alternating between different countries. I also plan to be intentional about these combination of place and specific field of the arts.

Sarah Millar

University of Texas - McCombs

Spring
2023

Immediately upon graduation, I intend to volunteer my time with 1-2 organizations that align with my values and giving philosophy. After 1-2 years back in the workforce, I then also intend to donate 1-2% of my salary annually, with an intended gradual increase to 5% of my salary within 7 years after graduation.