My goal is to commit to donating at least 3% of my annual income to philanthropic causes once I am financially self-sufficient. I plan to work in an environment that holds values compatible with my own, concerning the common good and being a force for good. I hope to continue striving toward my long-term plan of starting a non-profit focused on helping underprivileged children and expanding my family’s foundation in the future.
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!
Magnolia Decker
- Fall
- 2020
My goal is to actively engage in my community and be conscious of my positionally and ability to give money and time. Financially, once I am stable and have paid off all student loans, I plan to give 5% of my annual income to organizations with values that resonate with me, including but not limited to mental health awareness and support, criminal justice, and equitable access to education.
Madi Ekstrom
- Fall
- 2020
For my giving goal, I pledge to spend my life enacting meaningful change in the nonprofit field to positively impact communities. I would like to do this by giving at least 1% of my income after finishing my education, with a goal of donating 5% of my income by the time I turn 30. I would also like to commit to volunteering at least one time a month starting next semester (spring 2020). I will constantly work to be an educated community member, both locally and globally, acting as an advocate for others and living my life in the service of all people and animals.
Lydia Bachman
- Fall
- 2020
While I remain in school, I pledge to give 12% of my income. After I graduate, I plan to give 15%, with 10% towards my church and the additional 5% towards other organizations. I hope to continue to give more annually, even with the same income. On top of this, I plan to continue serving at the local church, developing my skills as a worship leader and meeting regularly with young girls for discipleship. In five years, I hope to start saving to start an organization that supports worship leaders as well as a business that supports entrepreneurs in third-world countries. In ten years, I hope to have enough savings to move forward, and 5% of my income will go towards funding these ventures to help the community both domestically and internationally.
Kennedy M
- Fall
- 2020
I pledge to continue to be involved in volunteering at the Salvation Army– donating both time (once or twice a week) and money (5-10% of my monthly income if able). I would also like to get involved in a nonprofit that works to gain immigration rights.