As of right now I am unsure of my giving goal. However, it means a lot to me to make the world a better place and to do good, so I certainly intend to give.
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 info@thephilanthropylab.org
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
Search for Giving Goals
Over 4,200+ course participants have written giving goals in a demonstration of leadership!
Anonymous
- Spring
- 2025
Although it will be hard to give early in my career, once I am stable, I want to give at least 10%â20% of my income to philanthropic causes in order to help the causes I care about. Specifically, I want to volunteer with the most important ones in addition to giving. I hope that I can sustain that vision as I age and keep in touch with my desire to help others.
Anonymous
- Spring
- 2025
My giving goal after graduation is to donate weekly to my church and volunteer at least once a month at a local non-profit.
Anonymous
- Spring
- 2025
As soon as I reach a level of seniority and relevant expertise in my career, I want to be on the board of at least one a nonprofit organization. After I am financially independent and have helped remove my family from debt, I want to shift my career to work in social enterprises serving Brazil. I will make it my full-time career to work on public-private partnerships supporting the healthy development of Brazilian children. I will aim to share my experiences through conferences and speaking opportunities at organizations that have shaped my trajectory, like PENCIL, Colonia EspÃrita, and beyond. I will also reserve days to volunteer yearly — ideally at least once a semester — and will teach my kids to volunteer weekly from a young age.
Anonymous
- Spring
- 2025
I plan to give join the Pledge 1% movement with my future business, donating at least this percent of profits to benefit the world. Depending on when I exit, I would also like to donate a larger portion to nonprofits and possibly establish a nonprofit arm of my business.
Anonymous
- Spring
- 2025
I hope to continue contributing to worthy causes throughout my career and thereafter. I plan to do through direct lending, volunteering, and hands-on support for those who are operating organizations and those that they serve.