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!

Indonesia Brown

University of Notre Dame

Fall
2020

After I graduate, I plan to donate my time to nonprofits in the community. I also hope to give 5% of my annual earnings to nonprofits that I am passionate about after I have paid off all of my student loans.

Ian Tibbals

University of Notre Dame

Fall
2020

I hope to wholeheartedly serve those in need and help make the world a better place.

Emma Ziegler

University of Notre Dame

Fall
2020

I plan to remain committed to actively contributing to the common good at all points throughout my life. This will include consistent and conscious effort across multiple domains and should challenge me at times. This effort will consist of monetary payments, volunteer hours, difficult discussions, deliberate reflection, and much more. The common good will remain a focal point in my life.

Emma Braswell

Baylor University

Fall
2020

My goal is to give 10% of my income towards giving back to the community and/or helping other people. My goal is also to share of my time and other resources (such as knowledge) in order to give back. My ultimate goal is to be there for the community around me and incorporate and be led by my faith in this process.

Emily Rayfield

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Fall
2020

I pledge to give as much of my time as I can to organizations that are dedicated to helping my community and making a positive impact. I want to give back any money I can afford to organizations that both I and the people around me care about. I will give time and money to organizations I am confident are promoting positive change. I also pledge to work towards spreading these ideas and values on to those around me.

Courtney Schumacher

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Fall
2020

For my giving goal, I pledge to volunteer/donate to organizations that support sustainable and meaningful change in the community. I believe that supporting grassroots organizations by volunteering at least once a month will help me accomplish this goal. Further, I pledge to donate at least 5% of my income to these organizations once I earn a steady salary.