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!

Alec Manko

Stanford University

Spring
2023

Real service with real involvement; serve people in the everyday, and do not use charity as an absolve. Work to make the world better, design for others, and make sure everything that leaves your wallet or hand has a personal practical and sentimental touch.

Albert Chen

Vanderbilt University

Spring
2023

I pledge to give money to support causes like homeless people, sustainability efforts and environmental goals, and other causes that affect marginalized groups like LGBTQ+ populations and domestic abuse victims. I will continue to stay curious and seek to learn more about the world through travel and exploration and meeting other people in different cultures and life situations. I hope to learn new perspectives and volunteer my time/energy/kindness and give back in a way in my future, whether that be in my travels abroad or at home. I hope to continually show a kind face and warm regard for others and to pledge my resources (time, money, energy, demeanor, etc.) towards making a difference in this world and I hope to frame my career and the time in my life in a way that does not focus on just making money for the sake of making money for myself. I hope to explore this world and all it has to offer and to learn perspectives of other people and connect with them. Its amazing to me how perspectives are so different outside of a bubble one can live in, and I hope to continually explore and learn about those perspectives while reconciling and realizing the differences in privilege that different people around the world (and people locally) experience.

Alana Esposito

Stanford University

Spring
2023

1. I want to volunteer biweekly at an organization rooted in my local community. 2. I want to continue to educate myself on issues and their solutions in order to support the most effective causes. 3. I want to pursue a career solving problems addressed by the nonprofit sector or in an adjacent space.

Adley Gray

Baylor University

Spring
2023

I agree to give a minimum of 5% of my income annually. As I intend to work full-time in nonprofit organizations, I do not anticipate making a lot of money. However, no matter my salary, I want to be consistent in giving funds to organizations that pursue holistic and sustainable solutions to poverty. I want to specifically fund organizations that are meeting these goals in the area I am living in at the time. I agree to do thorough research to choose my organizations, giving intentionally to organizations that are meeting the priorities Ive set. Lastly, I agree to prioritize organizations that are ending homelessness or promoting maternal health.

Sydney Triplett

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Fall
2022

Once I graduate, I want to give 5-10% of my earnings each month to a nonprofit of my choice. When I achieve financial stability and job security, I will dedicate 40 hours of my time per year to volunteering with an organization I have donated a portion of my earnings to over the years.

Stephen O’Connor

University of Notre Dame

Fall
2022

I plan on continuing to volunteer at various non-profit organizations throughout my life. Once I graduate from law school I pledge to donate money to a variety of different non-profits.