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!

Delaney Jones

Harvard University

Spring
2023

When I graduate, I give to provide financial support as well as my time to a sports-related group in the community I settle in.

Deepan Shah

Stanford University

Spring
2023

I would like to donate 5% of my income, as well as a good portion of my time, to nonprofits each year once I start working full-time (post graduation).

Declan McManus

Vanderbilt University

Spring
2023

I want to avoid pledging a specific numerical goal until I have a sense of what my post-college life looks like in the short and long term. However, I hope to always embody the generosity in philanthropy that was demonstrated to me by my parents, and to select causes that promote equality, especially in the areas of education and environmental protection.

Darren Francis

Vanderbilt University

Spring
2023

After graduating, I pledge to giving 10% of my income to philanthropic efforts and committing to volunteer work related to youth development. In all of my work, I will ensure that the organizations and communities I align myself with are committed to pour back into the communities that I come from and continue to work towards dismantling system of inequality to withhold opportunities from minorities.

Danna Chavez

University of Washington

Spring
2023

After I graduate, I plan to give 10% of my income to non-profits while also volunteering to some non profit organizations to support with their needs.

Cynthia coulson

University of Texas - McCombs

Spring
2023

I shall either set up a foundation this year or establish a DAF. Certainly by the fall. I shall continue to fund scholarships, but will set out, in conjunction with my children, criteria and targets for us to meet.