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!

Kitty He

Northwestern University - Undergraduate

Winter
2020

I pledge to do solid research before donating and donate 5-10% of my income to organizations that I believe are trustworthy once I am financially stable.

Josh Golding

Northwestern University - Undergraduate

Winter
2020

I pledge to give at least 10% of my income to various charities each year after I graduate college, and I plan to increase that percentage accordingly as my salary increases. I will also dedicate to spending a significant amount of my free time to volunteering to help non-profits in my community.

JORDAN WILLINGHAM

University of Washington

Winter
2020

My giving goal Is I plan to portion out a certain percentage of my income to allocate it to philanthropic duties. Hopefully one day I can volunteer and be an active donator.

John Drake

Northwestern University - Undergraduate

Winter
2020

I plan to volunteer as much as possible to local non-profits. Once I am financially sound, I plan to donate a majority of my income to non-profits that have causese that I am passionate about.

Jessie Dong

Northwestern University - Undergraduate

Winter
2020

I plan to do more research when donating to new charities/non-profits. I want to know if my money will have an impact on the non-profits goal.

Jahan Sahni

Northwestern University - Undergraduate

Winter
2020

I pledge to give 5-10% of my income to charitable causes and to actively gauge my capacity to give at a higher level as my income increases over time.