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!

Joe Witt

University of Notre Dame

Fall
2019

I pledge to donate my time and money to charitable causes throughout my life. Specifically, I aim to give 1% of my income the year after graduation, and increase that by .5% each year as long as it is economically feasible. I also hope to volunteer at least two hours a week.

Jimmy Zaarour

University of Notre Dame

Fall
2019

My goal is to give as much time and money to worthy causes as is reasonable.

Jerin Barling

Baylor University

Fall
2019

After graduation and paying off student loans, I pledge to give 10% of my income to different non-profits. If my salary increases dramatically, I will readjust the percentage accordingly. I also hope my career will give something back to the community too.

Isabelle Bastian

Harvard University - Undergraduate

Fall
2019

I will strive to donate not only to organizations that I already know and have personal experience with but also to new organizations that I research and discover over time. My goal is to reassess every five years what I have then available to give: whether it be money, time, skills, etc. and use those things to help others. I hope to share with others the knowledge I have learned with my community, and continue to encourage others to learn about what the most severe problems are in our country and what the most efficient solutions are to address them.

Hunter Reh

University of Notre Dame

Fall
2019

I pledge to give at least 5% of my annual income to charitable causes. If my yearly income allows it, I will give a higher percentage of my salary. In addition to donating financially, I believe it is important to donate my time. I pledge 50 hours of service to non-profit organizations each year.

Harper Altshule

Tulane University

Fall
2019

I pledge to give 5% of my annual income to local nonprofits that I have substantially researched for the next few years. Hopefully my income will begin to rise after the next few years and I pledge that if it does to give significant, impactful donations to foundations that truly need it and are working to create systemic change. I pledge to hold myself accountable to working to improve the systems that disadvantage many and to never forget my positionally and privilege.