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!

Anonymous

University of Notre Dame

Spring
2026

My giving goal is an hour of volunteering a month — which can include local volunteering of time with friends or practical opportunities that come up. Additionally, I hope to give a minimum of $100 a year for the first five years in the workforce, with increments whenever I receive additional compensation for work.

Anonymous

University of Notre Dame

Spring
2026

I want to donate 1% of my monthly net income to local organizations that I volunteer with by my second year post-grad.

Anonymous

University of Notre Dame

Spring
2026

My giving goal is to stay connected at both the local and global levels through a % donation of my income each year. I think this should be at about 5%, but I am not completely sure. I also really want to find time to serve with my time. My goal is to participate weekly at a volunteering organization and bring my future family with me.

Sofija Valancius

University of Notre Dame

Spring
2026

My dream would be to give back to the nonprofits that supported my education journey by matching (plus more) the amount they gave me when I was in need. My giving goal is to serve on a nonprofit board when I reach an age when my children are out of college. Not only that, until my children are in college, I would like to dedicate 2 hours per month to volunteering. After my children are out of college, I would like to continue volunteering as well as start giving back a portion of my income. I also wish to continue to donate each Sunday at Mass at my local parish.

Mayte Mendez

University of Notre Dame

Spring
2026

My giving goal is to support first-generation college students by expanding access to education and the resources needed to thrive throughout their college experience. As a first-generation student myself, I have benefited from philanthropic efforts that helped me grow and succeed during my time in college. In the future, I hope not only to support organizations that empower students like me, but also to start my own philanthropic efforts dedicated to helping first-generation students access opportunities and resources that allow them to reach their full potential.

Lauren Engates

University of Notre Dame

Spring
2026

In my first 3 years of post-grad employment, I want to volunteer once a month at a local nonprofit and give at least $200 a year to charitable organizations. After that, I hope to give 1% of my annual income to charity and maintain my commitment to volunteering.