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 info@thephilanthropylab.org

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!

Anonymous

Vanderbilt University

Spring 2026

My giving goal is to support causes I care about in a simple but consistent way as I start my career. I want to give some of my time and money to organizations that help others, especially in education and young people’s growth. As I get older and more financially stable, I hope to give more and stay involved so I know I’m actually making a difference.

Anonymous

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Spring 2026

My giving goal is to put away sufficient money so that when I am nearing retirement, I can think deliberately about which organization(s) I would want to donate to, and which organization(s) could benefit from larger, less frequent sums of money. My goal is to squirrel away enough money that when I am older, I can afford to be truly generous, without having to worry about compromising my, or my family’s financial position. Some organizations I might consider would be the Humane Society, as well as local arts/ community centers in whatever area I might end up.

Anonymous

University of Texas - MBA

Spring 2026

Anonymous

Harvard University

Spring 2026

I plan on donating consistently after 5 years postgrad.

Reese Reiling

Baylor University

Spring 2026

My giving goal is to give joyously, eagerly, and compassionately. My hope is to give monthly to a local organization and a national organization that I get the honor of learning about and in turn supporting their mission. My goal is that the numbers for monetary giving are based on the needs of the organizations, and my ability to responsibly devote a share of my money. I want to give to organizations that are encountering people in every area of life, caring for their needs in well-rounded ways, and devoted to showing them love. I also want to hear testimonials from the organizations I give to, whether this be by volunteering with local organizations and talking to leadership and participants, or personally connecting with national organizations through media or their contacts. I want to hear stories of the good that comes from giving, and I want to share these stories with my community as an aspect of giving.

Anonymous

Texas A&M University

Spring 2026

Being informed by my values of family, faith, and legacy, and living through my values of humility, self-discipline, service and innovation, I aim to support organizations improving the lives of others with education, sustainable development, local relief efforts, and youth development. Stewarding my time, leadership and other abilities, I will use this love of humanity to strengthen the communities where I live, work, and serve.