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!

Kaelin McElduff

Vanderbilt University

Spring
2022

Upon graduation from Vanderbilt, I want to stay engaged in philanthropic efforts and devote my free time to causes I care about. I pledge to donate 5% of my yearly earnings to charitable organizations at home and internationally once I am employed, and I hope to raise this percentage incrementally as my salary increases over time.

Josephine Lee

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Spring
2022

I pledge to give a 5% of my income each year to community focused non-profits and museums. I also intend to continue volunteering within my community. More so, I hope to use this experience to share grant and funding opportunities with the non-profits I work with to help them continue their work and network with other similar organizations to share resources.

Joseph Kim

Stanford University

Spring
2022

My first full paycheck, if I am not in an urgent situation, will go fully towards a nonprofit. I want to help single mother families and the low income community.

Joseph Jean

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Spring
2022

For my giving goals, I plan to donate my personal experiences and time to organizations that I believe will benefit my community, specifically those that focus on improving AI/AN and LGBTQ communities.

Jenny Cook

University of Washington

Spring
2022

I pledge to donate 5% of my post-tax income once I have a steady income and have paid off any student loans

Jennifer Wang

University of California, Irvine

Spring
2022

I pledge to advocate for the personal and/or professional development of an individual and provide a unique approach that aligns with the needs of the person.