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!

Jake Bleacher

University of Texas

Spring
2023

I pledge to volunteer and give consistent support to profits that I sympathize with and deem worthy of my financial donations.

Jailyn Weaver

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Spring
2023

My giving goal is to give more of my time to the black community. To begin this now, I will volunteer at least once a month for a nonprofit organization that supports the black community in any way. Then, once I graduate, I want to give 10% of my income to help support these organizations and continue volunteering.

Jaden Harris

Vanderbilt University

Spring
2023

I will prioritize making informed purchases and donations throughout my lifetime. By dedicating time to researching environmentally friendly products, and investing in my local community I hope to make an impact on the need for philanthropy in general. I intend to donate 5% of my yearly income directly to those whom institutions have failed to provide for. I hope to increase this amount as I grow in my career.

Jacob Duffer

Baylor University

Spring
2023

Following graduation, I plan on giving at least 10% of the money I make to nonprofits each year. With my future career choice, I do not believe that I will be making lots of money, however, I believe that it is vital to maintain the good habit of helping those in our community and across the world. Especially throughout this course, Ive also realized the importance of being educated in your giving decision. Therefore, whenever I give in the future, I will be sure to be educated in my giving as well.

Jacie Oltjendiers

Texas A&M University

Spring
2023

After graduation, I plan to pursue a career in international nonprofits so that I can serve people in even the most high deprivation areas of the world. In addition to committing my time and career to serving in the nonprofit sector, I will also donate at least 10% of my income annually to support organizations doing good work and pursuing missions I deeply care about.

Jacey Mathis

Texas Christian University

Spring
2023

I pledge to donate 5 hours each month to local nonprofits and 3% of my annual income to local and international nonprofits, under the assumption these numbers should be increasing each year. This will always be reevaluated every 3 years but also reevaluated upon major life changes such as salary, dependents, ect. I will research and educate myself in non-profits dealing with children, education, girls rights, and poverty to solidify that I am giving in the most beneficial and impactful ways. I will work to gain personal relationships within organizations I’m passionate about to grow my network within the philanthropic community. With this, I will obtain a mentor to help hold myself accountable during my giving journey.