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!

Jazlyn Surell

University of Pennsylvania

Spring
2023

Upon graduation, I pledge to give 5% of my income to local nonprofits. With my time, I would also like to be a volunteer for a nonprofit.

Javier Serra

Harvard University

Spring
2023

My giving goal is to engage more directly with the community that I am apart of. I want to volunteer more time towards different philanthropic initiatives. By working in person, I think I can broaden my impact. I also want to set aside a percentage of my salary each year for philanthropy. I dont want to commit to a certain organization or certain monetary value because I want my type of impact to change as I myself and the worlds most pressing issues change over the years. Nonetheless, I will hold myself to a minimum of 5-10% of my annual salary. Through both volunteer work and donations, I hope to make a real impact on the lives of others.

Jason Kim

University of Texas

Spring
2023

I seek to donate 5% of my income each year to charitable organizations. I also pledge to dedicate my time to support my local church.

Jamie Kim

University of Texas - McCombs

Spring
2023

My goal is to give at least 5% of my income to individuals, communities, or organizations in need and volunteer at least 6 hours per month.

Jake Roberts

Baylor University

Spring
2023

I want to give generously. Practically to me, this looks like giving at minimum 10% of my income to organizations whose mission I believe in. I would also like to serve with an organization on some level at least biweekly.

Jake Laskowitz

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Spring
2023

My giving goal is to volunteer twice a month after graduating college. In addition, as I get older I would like to start my own nonprofit for children with special needs in order to emphasize philanthropy and provide help to those in need.