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!

Tim Yoon

Emory University

Spring
2022

I hope to give 5-10% of my income to organizations I feel are catalysts for change and to incorporate my career in consulting into working with nonprofit organizations through initiatives.

Tim Schmidt

University of Pennsylvania

Spring
2022

My giving goal is to get involved with volunteer-based foundations in the next 5-10 years so that I can meaningfully contribute financial resources while also providing time and consultation.

Tiffany Shin

University of Texas - McCombs

Spring
2022

I pledge to give 10% of my income as well as volunteer at an organization I am passionate about once every other month.

Theresa Nelson

Stanford University

Spring
2022

My goal is to volunteer my time towards organizations that do work aligned with my vision of working for a more just future

Tate Kolwyck

Vanderbilt University

Spring
2022

I pledge to dedicate my time and efforts to support nonprofit organizations that align with my passions. Once I have a steady income, I will use 10% of it to donate to charities.

Tanvi Rudraraju

Emory University

Spring
2022

After I graduate, I pledge to donate around 5-10% of my income to organizations around the world whose missions I support. In addition to this, I pledge to volunteer for 10-15 hours a week at a local organization to give back to and improve my local community.