I hope to make an impact regardless of which career path I pursue. Therefore, I would say that my giving goal at the moment is to work for a company or organization that makes meaningful impact on society. That way, I am living my daily life in alignment with my goal of giving back. However, I realize that I may not end up working in this sector forever, and in that case I would like to volunteer often and donate annually or biannually to an organization that is important to me. Whether it be an organization whose work Iâve seen first hand make an impact on my community, or an international organization with a working towards a cause I am passionate about. Overall, I hope to lead a life of service and, if I am able, give back through my time and through monetary donations.
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 info@thephilanthropylab.org
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
Search for Giving Goals
Over 4,200+ course participants have written giving goals in a demonstration of leadership!
Morgan O Messer
- Spring
- 2025
This class and my major (psychology) have made me realize that it is my life’s purpose to help others. I hope to do that both in my job as a therapist and in my community as a friend and activist. I hope to use my privileges to the advantages of the underprivileged. Specifically I would love to raise awareness for people with disabilities and remind the world at large that we all are susceptible to becoming disabled in our lives. Not only this, but it is time to de-stigmatize the conversations we have about people with developmental/degenerative disabilities. In addition to my time, I’d also like to donate my resources such as money, excess clothes, household items, etc. in order to give people in my community a better life where I can. I was truly inspired by Peter Singer’s values throughout the semester and I hope to carry them with me for many years.
hollan w
- Spring
- 2025
My giving goal is to donate 5% of my annual earnings to both an international aid as well as a local charity. When I am out of college and earning more money than I am right now, I would like to give 8-10% of my income to the same causes.
Emma Ball
- Spring
- 2025
My goal is to allocate 5-10% of my annual income to non profits I believe in. I also want to volunteer at least 30 hours in total each year, hopefully at animal shelters. I would also like to attend more protests and become more active.
Elyse K Kratchman
- Spring
- 2025
My goal of giving is to make an impact within the organization of my donation. For example, I would like my gift to go towards a tangible program and or event that has an impact on its people served. For example, if my donation went towards upgrading the air conditioning for a homeless shelter in Austin, I would be satisfied. I would not be satisfied with my donation going towards new equipment that sat in a closet all year.