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!

Melissa Abrajan

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Spring
2023

My giving goal is to help a different nonprofit organization each year by donating 10% of my income that centers their mission on helping the Latine community to improve living standards who are facing poverty and educational barriers.

Melanie Armella

Harvard University

Spring
2023

I pledge to donate 5% of my yearly earnings to social impact organizations at the beginning of my post-grad career and then increase that to at least 10% after 2 years of working. I also want to volunteer at least 1x a month in college and after graduation.

Meghan Pany

Texas A&M University

Spring
2023

I pledge to give at least 5% of my yearly income to local nonprofits. I intend to give to organizations that align with my current passions and values. I will volunteer at least once a month at whatever nonprofit I choose to give to. 5 years post-graduation I will reevaluate my giving goal and most likely change it to give 10% of my income yearly.

Meghan Dougherty

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Spring
2023

My giving goal is to donate 10 hours a month to a non profit of my choosing. Additionally, I will pledge 2% of my income to grassroots nonprofits that help unmet needs in my community. As I get older, I will donate more time and money, hopefully more than 5% of my income.

McKaylin Peters

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Spring
2023

Upon graduation, I pledge to give 10% of my income to local nonprofits. I also want to make financial sacrifices and give when opportunities present themselves. With my time I would also like to volunteer once a month.

Maya Forte

University of Washington

Spring
2023

I pledge to donate 5% of my income initially, with expansion as I enter different tax brackets in the future. I also pledge to volunteer and dedicate my work in the future to human rights protections, and supporting aid organizations.