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!

Mackenzie Kim

Baylor University

Fall
2021

My goal is to always give to my local church in both time and money. When I get a steady income, I hope to give to local non-profits that I know will make an impact in the community and until then, I want to give my time and efforts by volunteering.

Lauren Pizzella

University of Notre Dame

Fall
2021

I pledge to donate to local nonprofit organizations in my area up to $1,000 a year.

Kendall Sewell

Baylor University

Fall
2021

I pledge to recognize my obligations to those around me and to devote myself to its improvement in whatever ways present themselves. This includes a duty to donate 10% of my income to philanthropic efforts. Furthermore, I will invest my time, talent, and energy to ensure that these efforts are carried out as well as possible.

Joshua Chiang

Harvard University - Undergraduate

Fall
2021

I plan to donate at least 10% of my future income and take full advantage of company matching programs/volunteer paid time off.

Janessa Thao

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Fall
2021

I pledge to work in a career with a philanthropic mission, to volunteer my time for an organization, to donate 5-10% of my income to nonprofit organizations.

Jamila O’Hara

Harvard University - Undergraduate

Fall
2021

I pledge to donate to/pursue involvement in organizations I feel are making the world a better place and working to remedy social problems/inequalities, especially if I do not directly pursue a public interest career. I pledge to donate a fixed percent of income/amount of money to these causes each year.