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

I plan to give to charities that I value and have researched in a way that best fits my lifestyle and that is sustainable for me, depending on the stage of my life/career. I feel that setting a flexible yearly budget, rather than a fixed percentage of my income, will help motivate me to give, while not making me feel bad if I’m unable to donate. That being said, either I should donate the amount decided in the beginning of each year or contribute the equivalent value through volunteering.

Karin Tsumura

University of Texas - Ugrad

Spring
2026

I want to donate annually to a cause that I am passionate about, particularly girls education and international human rights. This contribution should go beyond just a one time gift and drive long-term and meaningful change. Although I may be busy, I also want to make sure that I am volunteering regularly at my local non-profits to support the community around me. My wish is for the world to be a little bit of a better place, and I want my giving to reflect that.

Ashley Paredes

University of Texas - Ugrad

Spring
2026

I hope to continue to dedicate my time to philanthropy in my future. No matter how much money I may have, it will be important to me to dedicate my time and money to helping others. I plan to volunteer at least once a month (and hopefully more!) in my future to help different causes that have always been important to me such as feeding the homeless and the environment. Wherever I am down the road, I will keep working to help others and solve these issues I am passionate about.

Aiden A Maliskas

University of Texas - Ugrad

Spring
2026

I would like to donate 10% of my annual income until I make more than $100,000, and then I will give 20% from then on.

Vaishnavi Joshi

University of Texas - Ugrad

Spring
2026

I hope that in my future I am able to have at least one/two pro-bono clients as a psychologist or mental health provider throughout the year. I want to be able to provide these services to a underserved or marginalized population. I hope if this is not possible, I am able to provide some sort of charitable service or aid in a program that is funded by my work or the work of the practice I am involved in and be able to provide mental health services to a population who may not usually have access.

Hennah Hajari

University of Texas - Ugrad

Spring
2026

This class was very valuable to me and I will definitely use everything I learned going forward. Whenever I find time, I want to volunteer at non-profits and give back to the community I am a part of, in any way that I can. I’m hoping to give at least 2-5% of my income to support non-profits that have a personal and meaningful impact to me.