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!

Cole McCabe

Texas A&M University

Spring
2022

I pledge to give 15% of my resources and much of my time to charitable causes in my life. Specifically, give to Christian mission sending non-profits, children’s ministries and non-profits supporting children’s education.

Cody Ewing

Texas A&M University

Spring
2022

Once I graduate, I pledge to give a significant portion of my time and money to charities and nonprofit organizations. Whether this is through my job, or through volunteer positions, it is my goal to always look for ways to extend a helping hand to those in need.

Cody Cowley

University of Texas - McCombs

Spring
2022

I hope to take 5% of my income and donate to a specific, outdoor focused charity of my desire – I will use the tools provided by this course to ensure the charity of choice is noble in their focal cause area and work done before donating and will hope to continue donating long-term with said organization to provide funding for change.

Christina Conrady

Washington University In St. Louis

Spring
2022

I hope to give a portion of my income (relative to what I make) to philanthropic organizations/initiatives each year. It is important that I also back up these donations with action.

Chelsea Cao

University of Pennsylvania

Spring
2022

I pledge to donate a fixed amount of my income each year and to dedicate several hours of my time a month to volunteering in my community. I also want to try my best to let others in my community participate in philanthropy.

Chase Kellogg

Emory University

Spring
2022

I pledge to offer a portion of my monthly income and time to establish relief in the short-term for individual families struggling to afford medical care while also advocating for my local politicians to enact changes that will make healthcare more accessible.