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!

Michelle McAllister

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Fall
2022

I plan to give 5% of my annual income to my local church as well as spend at least a couple of hours a month volunteering with children at my church. Additionally, I plan to donate another 5% of my annual income to nonprofit organizations that support children, education, and disability justice. I plan to volunteer for another couple of hours a month with various organizations.

Michael McKeough

University of Notre Dame

Fall
2022

Once I graduate, I pledge to donate 5% of my income to address food scarcity in my local area.

Meghan Bolger

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Fall
2022

I want to be volunteering my time as much as I can.

Megan Sullivan

University of Notre Dame

Fall
2022

I will to give both time and a percentage if income to causes/nonprofit organizations that support communities and individuals in need and focus on creating a safe, healthy, fair, and equitable, and education society. I hope that through my giving I can empower others and give back to my community.

Megan Mikuen

University of Notre Dame

Fall
2022

Give progressively more each year starting with 2% of my income

Maxwell Lofy

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Fall
2022

I pledge to make monthly donations to the Veteran Association close to my home in Colorado Springs, Colorado. My father is a veteran and I hope to try and impact some lives of both disabled and able veterans. Depending on my job, I hope to donate at least 500 a month.