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!

Hannah Jian

Emory University

Spring
2023

I aim to donate 1% of my internship salary toward educational causes. Although this percentage is really small right now, I hope to ramp this up after paying off my college tuition and getting a post-grad full-time job. In the long term, I would like to donate upwards of 8% of my salary. In both the short term and long term, I want to volunteer at least once a month.

Hailey Wagener

Texas Christian University

Spring
2023

I pledge to joyfully give 5% of my income annually. Each year I plan to evaluate my giving intentions and capacity to stay aligned with my values and commitment. I will work to establish my passion and direction in giving in my first year. I hope to grow my giving by 1% per year up to 10%, reevaluating my growth goal once I reach this. If monetary donation is infeasible, I pledge to give of my time and talent in the equivalent of that money through service, board roles, or other avenues to serve my community.

Hailey Bass

University of Washington

Spring
2023

My giving goal is to always try my best and help those within my community and outside my community. After I graduate, I plan to give about 8% of my income to non-profit organizations. I know I will not be making much money at first. However, I hope to grow my giving goal after I have sustained a suitable lifestyle.

Gwen Bailey

Texas A&M University

Spring
2023

Following graduation I plan to give 10% of my income a year to a non-profit. After reflecting on this class I am passionate about organizations that help children. Whether that be through mentorship, donations, or support. Also, through the rest of my college years and beyond I plan to regularly volunteer at a non-profit at least once a month. Through this class I have learned the importance of serving the community regularly and with intentionality.

Greta Romero

Stanford University

Spring
2023

My giving goal is to donate 10% of my income after Law School to organizations that go 1) to support communities close to me, FLI students, Latinx communities, and women as well as 2) provides assistance to humanitarian crises.

Grace Taylor

Texas A&M University

Spring
2023

I plan to give 10% of my household income to the Catholic Church first and foremost, then to efforts that support the Catholic Church (such as FOCUS or Catholic Charities) and to pro-life organizations that provide support to women and children.