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!

Benjamin Jacobson

Emory University

Spring
2023

Give tzedakah

Ben Naze

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Spring
2023

My giving goal is to donate my time at Pauls Pantry in Green Bay, Wisconsin. I plan to do this

Ben Fleischmann

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Spring
2023

My giving goal is to donate 5-10% of my salary each month to organizations in the Middle East once I have a steady income. The amount of hate being spread hurts my heart there are many organizations working night and day to spread peace and build partnerships between Israel and Palestine. I feel strongly about this and helping in any way I can if I cant be in that region of the world is something I pledge to do. Also, I will volunteer at least once a month at JUF organizations such as the Uptown Cafe.

Ava Ackerman

Vanderbilt University

Spring
2023

I pledge to volunteer both my time and resources to advancing the most pressing causes of inequity, especially those which threaten life. While in college, I pledge to volunteer at least 6 times yearly with an emphasis on maintaining relationships with populations rather than supporting a range of organizations and communities. As I begin to earn independent income, I pledge to donate ten percent of my income while I earn below $100,000 annually. Should I at any point earn more than $100,000, I pledge to increase my proportion of giving in reflection of surplus income. Ideally, my giving will continued to be accompanied by volunteering, so I can remain connected and committed to the causes I have identified. I pledge to instill the values of philanthropy into my future family and to advocate for philanthropy in my future.

Aubrie Crawford

Baylor University

Spring
2023

My giving goal is to give at least $100 each year collectively to organization(s) I trust and know through volunteering my time and doing research on the organizations ethics, efficiency and impacts it makes. I hope to become more well rounded in my giving experiences for the future whether that is money or time. I also would like to find one organization that I believe makes a strong impact in a lot of ways and addresses systemic problems with evidence based solutions. When I find that one organization, I hope to donate to that organization the most and to help that organization flourish.

Ashley Meeky

Vanderbilt University

Spring
2023

I pledge to send at least 7% of my income to 501 (c)(3)s every month and volunteer with them at least once every 3 months.