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!

Carolyn Collins

Emory University

Spring
2022

I pledge to contribute at least 15% of my annual income to nonprofits that support work in education, reducing inequality, and supporting strong institutions.

Caroline Franzmann

Texas A&M University

Spring
2022

I pledge to give 2% of my income this year post graduation and to reassess that percentage after my first year of full time employment and either increase it or keep it the same for the next year. Additionally, I pledge to find an organization in my new community post graduation to volunteer at weekly.

Carissa Tan

Emory University

Spring
2022

I pledge to give a portion of my income monthly as well as volunteer with an organization at least once a month.

Caetano Melone

Stanford University

Spring
2022

I would like to give a significant amount of my time post-graduation to nonprofits that I support the causes of.

Bryant Reynolds

Vanderbilt University

Spring
2022

I want to contribute both my time and money to causes in the community in which I end up living. I want to donate a large portion of my salary to these causes, but I also want to spend large portions of my week performing the volunteer work that is also needed.

Brandon Ma

Stanford University

Spring
2022

I pledge to give 5% of my income every year to charitable causes, with that amount roughly being split between organizations with the largest per-dollar impact on the lives of vulnerable people and causes that I am personally passionate about. I also hope to volunteer regularly when I have time at nonprofits that have a direct positive impact on my local community, and challenge the root causes of inequality through active political advocacy and participation.