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!

Emily Reader

Vanderbilt University

Spring
2023

I hope to give some amount of time or money to a cause that may aid in furthering social justice causes, accessibility of arts, human rights issues, environmental causes, or otherwise pressing issues.

Emily Ramirez

Harvard University

Spring
2023

I want to provide some of my legal services pro bono in the future. I commit to giving at least 1% of my income yearly.

Emily Pitts

University of Washington

Spring
2023

My giving goal is to donate 10% of my income every year to programs that support childrens education in countries abroad and in marginalized areas in the United States.

Emily Hensley

Texas A&M University

Spring
2023

I pledge to donate 10% of my salary each year to nonprofits. 5% will go to a religiously-affiliated organization, and 5% will go to a nonprofit related to children,education, or generational impact. I pledge to volunteer at least once a month at a local nonprofit. I will do this for one year and reevaluate my giving goal. If this works well, I plan to reevaluate this goal every 5 years.Â

Elsa Deibert

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Spring
2023

After graduation, I would like to tithe 10% of my income at church and volunteer in my community for a minimum of 10 hours each year. To make this feasible, I will seek involvement in a local volunteer program or take up volunteer opportunities at church. Specifically, I would like to support programs that are devoted to helping underprivileged children and families gain access to clothing, food, etc.

Elizabeth Hernandez Lopez

University of Washington

Spring
2023

1. I plan to give 5% of my income to nonprofit organizations that help BIPOC communities. 2. Volunteer with different organizations that help underrepresented communities and offer any services that I can.