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!

Raquel Cohen

Washington University In St. Louis

Spring
2022

I hope to give my time, energy, money, resources, and any other assets I may hold in the future to philanthropic endeavors. I anticipate dedicating my life to public service, whether by working for a non-profit organization or within the legal sector. Regardless, I value volunteering and donation, which I plan to do for the rest of my life.

Rajan Nathaniel

Stanford University

Spring
2022

I pledge to give an upwards of 15% of my earned income to 501(c)(3) organizations, as well as provide one-time additional donations to organizations of my choosing.

Polly Xu

Columbia University

Spring
2022

I hope to devote my life and career to bringing the human-centered perspective and methods to the public and social sector to improve the lived experience of individuals and communities. Additionally, I pledge to donate at least 5-10% of my income to other nonprofit initiatives when I reach financial stability.

Penina Jeter

Vanderbilt University

Spring
2022

I aim to volunteer once a month while I am a young professional. As my career progresses and I am financially stable, I would love to donate 5% of my income to organizations fighting against human trafficking and homelessness, as well as keeping up with volunteer opportunities.

Paula Trinh

Columbia University

Spring
2022

I pledge to give 5-10 percent of my annual income to non-profit organizations that align with my values and passions. I will also donate my time to volunteer, at least monthly, to local organizations addressing health disparities.

Osmaris Sanchez

Texas A&M University

Spring
2022

I hope to give back to my community every year in some type of way. Specifically, I want to share my time volunteering for non-profit organizations. Once I get my first job, I want to donate the money I will set aside to nonprofit organizations. As time goes on, I will increase the amount and try to give a percentage of my income.