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!

Grace Boney

Washington University In St. Louis

Spring
2022

I plan to enter a career in law, and will make it a focus of mine to commit myself to pro-bono work for causes I am passionate about. I also plan to donate 5-10% of my income to philanthropic causes after becoming a full-time attorney.

Grace Blumenfeld

University of Texas

Spring
2022

I pledge to donate at least 1 hour a week to volunteering at a non-profit of my choice. Furthermore, I pledge to seek job opportunities at firms that support non-profits and try to find opportunities for my friends, coworkers, etc. to join me during volunteering.

Garrett Gregor-Splaver

Columbia University

Spring
2022

I pledge to reassess my giving goals every 5 years and give whatever is a comfortable amount as my salary increases!

Gabby Vanderlaan

University of Washington

Spring
2022

I pledge to donate a minimum of 5% of my annual income to non-profits that I thoroughly researched. Additionally, I plan to allocate 20 hours for volunteering.

Fernando Hernandez

Stanford University

Spring
2022

My giving goal is to give to local journalism initiatives that support and uplift marginalized communities through their work

Etienne Reche-Ley

Stanford University

Spring
2022

I pledge to donate my time volunteering in person to three different organizations each year near to wherever I live. I also pledge to sponsor children from abroad – when I am financially stable, I want to pay for a child’s education and maintain a relationship with them. In addition, I want to donate a fixed amount of my income to a few organizations each year.