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!

Cullen Robinson

Texas A&M University

Spring
2023

Upon graduation, I intend to give at least 10% of my yearly income to a nonprofits that focus on international development and poverty relief. I am unsure how much this will be each year, but I am determined to use anything that I have regardless of size to make a positive impact on the issues that resonate with me.

Cristian Vela

University of Texas

Spring
2023

My goal is to donate 5% of my annual salary when I graduate. Once I feel that I have a more stable job and am better financially, I can start to increase how much I donate.

Courtney Robinson

Baylor University

Spring
2023

My goal is to start building a giving mindset now by donating to my church and nonprofit organizations that I support. My hope is that I will donate 10% of my salary to my church and an additional amount of my choosing to other nonprofits after college. I also want to find a local nonprofit with a mission I am passionate about and become an active volunteer there along with serving in my church.

Corey Stern

Emory University

Spring
2023

In my first year after graduating from Emory I hope to donate at least $1000 to philanthropic organizations that are working on causes that I am passionate about. In addition, I want to tutor/mentor at least five kids from underserved communities in NYC per year to share some lessons and experiences that will hopefully help them. As my economic resources grow I want to donate 3%-5% of my salary and give a larger portion of my time to volunteering and mentorship.

Colby Roberts

University of Pennsylvania

Spring
2023

I am striving to 5% or more of my income yearly.

Cecileu Elliott

University of Washington

Spring
2023

I commit to picking one cause at the beginning of each year that I feel aligns with my values and works towards social justice. For the next five years, while I am in graduate school, I will donate $100 each month to my chosen cause. I will reevaluate my giving after graduate school and plan on giving equal to or greater than ten percent of my annual income to similar social justice organizations and initiatives.