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!

Alejandra Romero

University of Texas

Spring
2022

My giving goal is 7%. I pledge to donate a portion to a local charity as well as an international charity. I hope that within time, I can donate up to 10%.

abel ribbink

Stanford University

Spring
2022

I pledge to give 15% of my total wealth to philanthropy over the course of my lifetime.

Xiang Li

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Fall
2021

I will try my best to help non-profit organizations in the art industry in the future and donate to them after confirming that they are doing activities and events with educational significance to the community or art propaganda significance.

Torrie Briggs

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Fall
2021

My giving goal is to devote my entire work to philanthropy. I want to continue volunteer work with various projects, organizations, initiatives, etc. that align with my values, morals, and community. One day, I will be able to tangibly impact and give back to my hometown community, with the establishment of a mixed media art based education and multipurpose day n night space! I will continue to strive to be the change I want to see.

Sika Nyamadi

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Fall
2021

My giving goal is to provide young girls in Ghanaian communities pad and menstrual education and the lesson to pass it on later in life.

Scott Campbell

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Fall
2021

I pledge to contribute either one week’s worth of working hours or one week’s worth of wages to Arts & Culture organizations whose missions I support.