Throughout my young adult life and beyond I would like to have charitable giving be a part of my daily life. From this class I have learned that as humans we have the responsibility to give when we have excess or more than a satisfactory amount. My giving can be with money, items, or etc.
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!
Claire Daugherty
- Spring
- 2025
My giving goal is focused on funding girl’s education on an international scale. Through my experience in class this semester, I have learned that this education funding has a domino effect of girls standing up to violence, having less children, educating her children, and the overall reduction of poverty. As a girl who’s education has given her access to so many opportunities, I feel it is my duty and right to use my privilege to fight for other girls to have the same. I would like to give to girl’s education nonprofits throughout the year, and continue to use my time and money to raise awareness for the gender gap in education.
Caroline Smith Gormley
- Spring
- 2025
One of my giving goals is to give 5% of my annual income to nonprofits for the first five years out of college. After those five years, I hope to give at least 10% of my annual income to nonprofits. Another goal that I have is to do at least one volunteer opportunity every week. Finally, my last goal is to volunteer at least 50 hours a year. Considering there are 52 weeks in a year, I think this will be easy to accomplish and I hope to surpass 50 hours. I believe this will be a good way for me to explore different organizations and do my part to give back to the community.
Anonymous
- Spring
- 2025
I aim to work in the nonprofit industry and give to underserved populations for at least 3 years after college. Additionally, I aim to give at least 1% of my annual income to nonprofits.
Anonymous
- Spring
- 2025
I would like to commit to donating to four charities annually. The amount is dependent on my salary/financial situation. I am passionate about international humanitarian efforts, especially aid for communities that have been affected by the horrors of war. I am also a dedicated vegan interested in animal welfare, as well as a queer individual interested in fighting against LGBTQ oppression in Texas.
Anonymous
- Spring
- 2025
Once I get a job, I hope to give 5-10% of my annual income to a philanthropy that I am passionate about each year. I do not want to pick a specific philanthropy to donate to because I might want to pick a new one each year based on what it going on in the world.