I aim to give at least 5% of my income and to donate an hour or more of my time each week through routine volunteering, ideally more on both goals.
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
Search for Giving Goals
Over 4,200+ course participants have written giving goals in a demonstration of leadership!
Izzy Cheng
- Fall
- 2021
I pledge to give to at least two charitable organizations a year. I also pledge to give a minimum of $1,000 a year.
Gloria Maldonado
- Fall
- 2021
I hope to give 5 percent of my income to organizations that focus on social causes and helping minority communities.
Garrett Croley
- Fall
- 2021
I pledge to give at least ten percent of my income to organizations I support in the future. Additionally, I pledge to give of my time and talents in any possible capacity in my future.
Ethan Meyer
- Fall
- 2021
My goal is to give 5% of my yearly earnings once I am financially capable of doing so.
Erica Robison
- Fall
- 2021
Upon my eventual graduation from law school, I plan to either work in public interest — serving the common good — or to work at a law firm with a philanthropic mission, where pro bono is an integral part of the workplace culture. Additionally, I aim to donate at least 1-5% of my income to philanthropic causes.