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!

Benjamin Sherwin

Columbia University

Spring
2022

I commit to doing the best I can to make the world a better place. This includes thoughtfully giving away at least 10% of my income each year after graduation.

Becca Mendez

Vanderbilt University

Spring
2022

I pledge to give 10% of my income to organizations that are doing work towards charitable organizations focusing on education inequities.

avrey webb

Texas A&M University

Spring
2022

I plan on committing 5% of my personal annual income to philanthropy for my first 3 years out of college. I will then commit to giving 10% of my personal annual income until I am making more than $125,000 a year, in which I will then begin to give 20% of my personal annual income.

Ava Davros

University of Texas

Spring
2022

I pledge to stay engaged in philanthropic work throughout my lifetime and to volunteer alongside raising money to donate to charities and nonprofit causes.

Audrey Mitchell

Stanford University

Spring
2022

Once I make over $70,000 a year, I will donate 5% of my income to nonprofits focused on human rights and environmentalism, as I believe these two issues represent a portfolio appropriately representative of both acute and long-term needs. Once (and if) my income exceeds $120,000 a year, I will donate 10% of my income. In addition, beginning after graduation, I will support artistic organizations in ways other than donating (such as purchasing tickets or hands-on volunteering).

Ashley Rhee

Texas A&M University

Spring
2022

I pledge to use the technical skills I learn in the consulting field to help organizations with their strategic development. Once I have paid off my loans, I pledge to donate five percent of my monthly paycheck and to spend at least five hours a week serving an immigrant-based nonprofit.