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 info@thephilanthropylab.org

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 Texas - Ugrad

Spring
2025

In the next five years, I hope to see my nonprofit impact people in quality, not just quantity. I hope to see a great impact on the children experiencing homelessness and their development as they reach adulthood. Specifically speaking, increases in higher education for children for homelessnesss is something I would love to see in the next half decade.

Anonymous

University of Texas - Ugrad

Spring
2025

My goal is to give 10% of my salary to philanthropic causes after my graduation in 2029.

Anonymous

University of Texas - Ugrad

Spring
2025

I donât really want to set a percentage on my giving, but I do want to reach a point financially where I am able to donate whatever amount to whoever I want to. I think the bulk of these donations will go towards medical research and aid for children and their families, but I also want to donate towards education. Iâd like to donate to areas that I have close personal ties to, particularly the Greater Houston area, Austin, and where my family is from in South India. My giving goal is greatly influenced by my personal experience, as I have firsthand knowledge of the stress on families with children with chronic physical or mental health conditions. As for education, my grandmother was a teacher for 33 years, so Iâd like to one day open a school and put her name on it.

Anonymous

University of Texas - Ugrad

Spring
2025

After I obtain a secure job as a journalist, I hope to donate 5% of my salary to nonprofits that work to aid homelessness and housing insecurity in the state of Texas. I want to do this as a way to provide to local communities since I grew up in Texas and feel strongly about those who are chronically homeless. I also plan to donate another 5% to international programs that seek to improve youth education in several countries where kids need these services. Education is incredibly important and is in need in multiple places.

Anonymous

University of Texas - Ugrad

Spring
2025

After getting a full time job, or finishing nursing school I would like to continue to advocate and help animals in Texas whether it be local or beyond. I would like to donate a monthly amount of my income towards nonprofits like these, and also try and commit myself to a volunteer program and try to become an active member by volunteering at least 5 hours a month.

Anonymous

University of Texas - Ugrad

Spring
2025

Once I have a steady, full-time job, I aim to pledge 5% of my salary to philanthropic organizations. Specifically, I would like to locate some nonprofits that deal with mental health and mental illness. There is still such a stigma around mental health as a whole, and as someone who plans to go into psychology, I would like to see my donation go to a cause that I am not only passionate about but also a cause that could really use the money.