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!

David Kulp

Emory University

Spring
2020

As I enter the professional world after graduation, I hope to donate a portion of my income to charity. Stemming from the values instilled in me in childhood, I plan to donate 10% of my income to charities (as I am able and self-sufficient). I also plan to continue volunteering in non-profits and on non-profit boards, spreading my wisdom and education to others, and hopefully assisting non-profits and charities on the way.

Daphne Matyas

Emory University

Spring
2020

I pledge to be conscious of my environmental impact. I commit to taking steps in my life, such as not buying or eating red meat, limiting my water usage, utilizing sustainable materials in my daily life, and instilling the value of the natural world in my future family to exhibit my values of living sustainably.

Daniel Mativo

Vanderbilt University

Spring
2020

I hope to use my resources to make a sustainable positive change in the world.

Cooper Ochsenhirt

Vanderbilt University

Spring
2020

Once I’m financially stable, I plan on donating 3% of my annual income to causes that excite me and promise to effect lasting and significant change. Additionally, I commit to increasing the number of purchases I make at minority-owned establishments to help them climb the socioeconomic ladder.

Christopher Goff

University of Texas - McCombs

Spring
2020

I pledge to give 2-3 hours per week to support altruistic and philanthropic causes I care about for the next five years. Additionally, I will give at least 5% of earnings over the next 5 years away to philanthropy, and at least 10% thereafter.

Christian Gaeth

Columbia University

Spring
2020

I hope to be able to create significant social and environmental change through my day- to-day work. I hope to change lives for the better with my profession and work for a worthy cause. I cannot see myself working in an industry or for a company that creates harm and unfairness and makes me feel like I have to donate large sums of money to make up for the negative externalities of my work. Instead of working for profit, I see myself working for impact and hope to be able to give back to society in this way.