Giving, to me, includes three categories: time, talent, and treasure. I plan to give of my time and talent in my future career as a child advocacy attorney. I will eventually transform that giving into something long-lasting by implementing reforms to the child welfare system. I will give at least 10% of my treasure (yearly income) to my church, and 10% to charitable causes such as nonprofits, foundations, and student scholarships. That 10% is a bare minimum standard—I aspire to exceed it considerably each year. I do not want to simply give a certain percentage or a number without any heart behind it, either. I will give to those causes which I am particularly affected by and passionate about, and I will give not to exceed my 10% benchmark but because I have a desire to help those less fortunate than I am.

As I look ahead to life after graduation, my giving goals will be shaped by both my values and my circumstances. Securing a full-time job is my first priority, and I understand that my location and starting salary will influence how I am able to give financially. Regardless, I am committed to building habits of generosity early in my career. A key priority for me will be staying connected to a church community wherever I live. I plan to consistently give around $20 each Sunday as an offering, while also volunteering my time—especially through involvement in youth groups. Investing in others through mentorship and service is something I value deeply. In addition, I am passionate about supporting veterans. As I settle into a new city, I will look for opportunities to donate to and get involved with local veteran organizations. I believe in supporting these communities not only financially, but also through active engagement. No matter where I am, I will remain connected to Big Country Veterans and continue supporting their mission. At the end of the day, I will prioritize volunteering my time, and as my financial situation becomes clearer, I will reevaluate and set aside a specific amount to donate to causes I feel most connected to.

I’ve been thinking a lot about what it means to give, and I don’t want it to be something I wait to start later. Using what I learned about financial ‘buckets,’ I plan to set aside 5% of my income for giving each year and gradually increase that over time so it becomes a habit, not an afterthought. I also want to give beyond money by volunteering and using my strengths in mentorship, empathy, and intentionality to invest in others. Ultimately, I want giving to be consistent and part of who I am, not just something I do when it’s convenient.

My philanthropic giving goal is to serve underdeveloped communities and educational systems internationally and locally, and work to refine them through intentional connections, volunteer-based work, and community development initiatives. I plan to volunteer at least once a week at a local charity in Fort Worth and mentor students locally and globally as well. I will provide my time and finances to make this goal 100% possible, and I cannot wait!

My philanthropic goal is to support cancer research and care organizations in their efforts to cure cancer, ease the lives of those suffering from it, and educate the AYA age group about available services. I also plan to devote my time to volunteer work to support my local community and those in need such as food kitchens, cancer camps, and outreach programs.

My giving goal is to start by setting aside 10% of my earnings to donate towards philanthropic causes that match my values and work to solve issues that I believe in. I also want to give back more of my time to the service of others so that I remain connected with a network of people who both share my values and vision for the future, while remaining grounded in the needs of those I seek to serve. As a prospective J.D. candidate, I hope to give of my treasure by making monetary contributions to nonprofits, but also give of my time and talents when I can put my education into use by working pro-bono hours or for an organization like the Innocence Project.