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!

Riley Lynch

Stanford University

Spring
2022

My giving goal is to never have more than I need, in terms of both time and money. I cannot put a number to this yet, as I am still young with plenty of room to grow on my perspectives about giving, but I know that critically analyzing what it means to leave within/below my means will make me a successful giver.

Ria Calcagno

Stanford University

Spring
2022

I pledge to give at least 1% of my annual income, with at least one donation going to a 501c3 organization as opposed to donating for political change. I pledge to give at least 10 hours of volunteer time annually, with at least 1 hour going toward making an impact through a method other than political campaign.

RENATA KOWALCZYK

University of Pennsylvania

Spring
2022

I pledge to donate 5% of my income to organizations that address economic disparities.

Rebeka Chavez

University of Texas

Spring
2022

I pledge to donate at least 5% of my income, and with time and depending on how much my salary is increasing periodically. I also pledge to volunteer at least 12 times throughout the year (once a month).

Rebecca Raphaelson

Emory University

Spring
2022

My giving goal is to donate 15% of my monthly rent and prioritize giving my time to at least two new philanthropic organizations each year where I can get involved in their community.

Raymond Fodiman

Vanderbilt University

Spring
2022

I agree to give between 5-10% of my money and time each year towards environmental initiatives.