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!

Stephanie Phillips

University of Washington

Spring
2022

Once I am debt free, I pledge to donate to philanthropic organizations/causes. Ideally I would donate at least 5% of my income. I am also interested in possibly working in the philanthropic world.

Stephanie Henkin

University of Texas

Spring
2022

I would like to give 10% of my income to a charity that I think would make a difference with my donation. I also hope to volunteer for a few hours a week at a homeless shelter near me.

Skyler Williams

University of Texas

Spring
2022

I three years, following my graduation from Law School, I plan to work in the the non-profit sector. My hope is that beyond my work in the sector, that I can donate my time to people within communities who need legal aide. With regards to monetary goals, my hope is that I will be able to give somewhere between 5 and 10 percent of my income; however, I do not want that to be my most prominent goal because I want to remember that even if I am unable to give a large portion of my income I can still make an impact on my community in other ways.

Shiqi Shen

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Spring
2022

To me, offering my time, energy, knowledge, and financial resources is how I find purpose in my life. It’s only through service, through giving and making sacrifices, that I’d be able to become mature as a human being. It is equally important for me to be aware of the motivations behind giving. I want to give not because I desire any worldly recognition. I want to give because I think human beings are created noble and beautiful and that I have faith in humanity.With that, I would like to contribute at least 19% of my monthly earnings after deducting necessary expenses to my faith community. I also want to commit to at least 10 hours of service every month to the local community.

Shaan Desai

University of Texas

Spring
2022

I pledge to dedicate my time supporting nonprofits or a nonprofit organization(s) that align with my passions. Once I have a steady job, I will dedicated a fixed amount of my income to charitable giving.

Sean Wang

University of Pennsylvania

Spring
2022

I pledge to lead a career towards building social and health equity. I hope to commit both my time and, hopefully, part of my income to organizations that put smiles on peoples’ faces and improve their lives. I also hope to donate regularly towards WNYC (and affiliate stations) for how much richer its programming has made my life.